Elkader River Accesson Turkey River
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
What's working on Turkey River
- 01The Turkey River's stocked Rainbow Trout will be actively feeding in the cooler fall waters.
- 02Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) and Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) offer dry fly opportunities, especially on warmer, overcast afternoons.
- 03Larger October Caddis are a significant fall hatch that can entice aggressive strikes.
- 04Subsurface, crayfish, hellgrammites, and midges are key food sources for Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and trout.
- 05Focus on deeper pools, current seams, and rocky structures where fish will be holding.
What to tie on at Elkader River Access
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Scud (Pink/Orange)
These freshwater amphipods are a consistent food source in early spring, and a pink or orange variation can be incredibly effective when dead-drifted or slowly stripped near the bottom for predatory fish like Walleye.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Hare's Ear
This general mayfly nymph imitation is a proven producer, especially effective in deeper runs or slightly off-color water, mimicking the active nymphs Walleye and other trout species will encounter in spring.
Buy at AmazonClouser Minnow (Trout)
As a versatile baitfish imitation, the Clouser Minnow is excellent for actively searching for predatory Walleye and Smallmouth Bass, especially in clearer sections of the river, as baitfish are a primary food source in spring.
Crappie Jig Fly
This minnow/invertebrate imitation is effective for predatory species like Walleye in spring, especially when fished around structure where they ambush prey.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
A classic and reliable streamer pattern, the olive Woolly Bugger excels at imitating leeches and baitfish, which are staple prey for Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and trout in warming spring flows.
Perch Pattern
Early spring is prime time for Walleye to key into perch fry as a primary food source. This pattern effectively mimics young-of-year perch and can trigger aggressive strikes.
Pine Squirrel Leech (Olive)
Small leech patterns like this effectively mimic sluggish baitfish and annelids in cold early spring water, enticing strikes from larger, lethargic Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and trout.
Schroeder's Hi-Vis Hopper
Large terrestrial insects like grasshoppers are a prime food source during summer months, attracting aggressive strikes from all predatory species.
Hellgrammite Fly
Hellgrammites (dobsonfly larvae) are large, protein-rich prey active year-round in rocky rivers, making this nymph highly effective for smallmouth bass and walleye.
Iowa season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Fly shops nearby
Local flies, current advice and guided trips.