Driftless
North Fork Maquoketa River
Live Conditions
North Fork Maquoketa River — North Fork Maquoketa River near Fulton, IA
7-Day Flow
↓ Falling
24-Hr Pressure
28.81 inHg · → High/stable
Local Weather
Tough conditions — fish deep
Today
☁️Overcast
86° / 72°
Tomorrow
🌫️Foggy
91° / 69°
Wed
☁️Overcast
88° / 72°
Thu
🌦️Drizzle
85° / 71°
0.08"
Cold front incoming — go deep with nymphs, surface activity likely slow.
Weather by Open-Meteo · No API key · Updated every 30 min
What should I fish today?
⚡ AIAI-powered recommendation using today's live flow, temperature, and hatch data.
6.6
Time of Day
Using: 332 CFS · 40.1°F · BWOs returning
What should I pack?
Rod, flies, tippet, and safety gear specific to today's North Fork Maquoketa River conditions.
🪰 Hatch Calendar
North Fork Maquoketa River · September · Early Fall
🟡 Approaching — within 5°F of trigger range
Select month
BWOs returning (size 18-20). Tricos continuing. Cool nights — wild browns active.
🟢 Active · 🟡 Approaching · ⚪ Seasonal only
River Map
About North Fork Maquoketa River
The North Fork of the Maquoketa River in Dubuque and Delaware counties is a medium-sized eastern Iowa Driftless trout stream with wild brown trout in the spring-fed reaches. Less-pressured than the famous Allamakee and Winneshiek County waters but every bit as productive. Limestone-influenced spring water in classic Driftless coulee terrain.
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 Dubuque and Delaware County special-regulation sections in current Iowa DNR trout regulations.
Learn More
Guides to help you fish North Fork Maquoketa River with more confidence.
Iowa Trout Fishing Regulations Guide
Iowa fishing license + the separate trout fee, the year-round trout season on most NE Iowa Driftless streams, the 5-fish daily limit on most water,…
Trout Species of Iowa
Iowa's two-species Driftless trout fishery — introduced Brown Trout dominant across the NE Iowa Driftless spring creeks (Bear, Bloody Run, Upper…
How Barometric Pressure Affects Fishing (And How to Use It)
That gorgeous bluebird day after a cold front? Worst fishing of the year. Here's the data behind why pressure changes matter more than the weather…