What flies are hatching on the Bear Creek right now?

Current and seasonal hatches on the Bear Creek include Blue-Winged Olive, Hendrickson, Sulphur. Use the AI Hatch Advisor on this page for a live, temperature-aware recommendation.

What's the current flow on the Bear Creek?

The Bear Creek is running at 186 CFS at the Upper Iowa River at Decorah (proxy) gauge. Readings update every 15 minutes from the USGS Water Services API.

Is the Bear Creek fishable today?

Bear Creek is rated marginal right now. Flow is 186 CFS at the Upper Iowa River at Decorah (proxy) gauge. Go in prepared — heavier tippet, cautious wading, or target edges and seams.

Bear Creek Fly Fishing Conditions

Live Conditions

Bear Creek — Upper Iowa River at Decorah (proxy)

Marginal

186CFS

Discharge

1.81ft

Gauge Height

—

Water Temp

Updated 38 min agoView on USGS ↗

7-Day Flow

↓ Falling

RisingFallingStable

24-Hr Pressure

28.73 inHg · → High/stable

Falling (good)RisingHigh/stable

Local Weather

79°FMainly clear

Wind 4 mph28.73 inHg Low & stable

Tough conditions — fish deep

Today

🌦️

Drizzle

82° / 67°

0.02"

Tomorrow

☁️

Overcast

88° / 68°

Tue

☁️

Overcast

92° / 65°

Wed

☁️

Overcast

94° / 67°

Weather by Open-Meteo · No API key · Updated every 30 min

What should I fish today?

⚡ AI

AI-powered recommendation using today's live flow, temperature, and hatch data.

6

Time of Day

Using: 186 CFS · BWOs returning

What should I pack?

Rod, flies, tippet, and safety gear specific to today's Bear Creek conditions.

🪰 Hatch Calendar

Bear Creek · September · Early Fall

Full calendar →

Showing typical dates — water temperature data unavailable for live hatch predictions.

Select month

JanDec

BWOs returning (size 18-20). Tricos continuing. Cool nights — wild browns active.

Blue-Winged OliveTrico

River Map

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USGS Gauge (click for site ID)Fishing Access / SectionScroll to zoom disabled — use map controls

About Bear Creek

Bear Creek near Highlandville in Winneshiek County is Iowa's #1 rated trout stream — the North Bear and South Bear branches form a small Driftless spring-creek system with high per-mile densities of wild brown trout, plus brook trout in cold headwater reaches. Cold limestone-spring water, technical small-stream fishing, and a long history as the flagship Iowa Driftless fishery.

Blue-Winged OliveHendricksonSulphurCaddisTricoTerrestrials

Regulations

Iowa fishing license required (~$22 resident annual + ~$14.50 trout stamp; 2026 fee changes — verify current rates on Iowa DNR before publishing). Year-round trout season on most NE Iowa streams. 5-fish daily limit on most streams. Verify Winneshiek County special-regulation sections in current Iowa DNR trout regulations.

Learn More

Guides to help you fish Bear Creek with more confidence.