A guide to the trout streams, hatches, and history of the unglaciated region of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois.

Tucked away in the heart of the Midwest is a trout fishing paradise of deep valleys and cold rushing trout streams called the “Driftless Area.” The 24,000 square mile area covers all or part of 57 counties in southwest Wisconsin, southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa, and a small part of northwest Illinois. Its unique geology has created perfect conditions for spring creeks and highly fertile freestone streams, similar to central Pennsylvania or English chalk streams.