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Smithland Access

Inkpaduta Access

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County Bridge Access

Stahl Park

Little Sioux Copeland Park

Walling Access

Washta Access

Ranney Knob Ritts Access

Stieneke Access

Quimby Bridge

Pearse Area

Silver Sioux Recreation Area

Spring Lake

Westcott Park

Sue Jordahl

Barnes Access

Martin Access

Nelson Area

Soo Access

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Hannibal

Burned Out Bridge

Riverside Access

Linn Grove ParkBluebird

Sioux Rapids City Park

High Bridge Wildlife Area

Little Sioux Wildlife Area

Hawk Valley

Stouffer Memorial Wildlife Refuge !|

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Bob Howe/Thunder Bridge

Stolleys Pit Reiter Wildlife Area

Yellow Throat

Judd Canoe AccessHorseshoe Bend

Spooky Hollow

Cayler Prairie Preserve

Diamond Lake

Twin Forks Canoe Access

Twin Forks Wildlife Area

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Kindlespire Park

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Little Sioux River

Mill Creek

Ocheyedan River

Little Sioux River

LITTLE SIOUX

ONAWA

BLENCOE

SMITHLAND

ANTHON

CORRECTIONVILLE

WASHTA

QIUMBY

CHEROKEE

PETERSON

SIOUX RAPIDS

GILLETT GROVE

SPENCER

EVERLY

FOSTORIA

MILFORD

OKOBOJI

SPIRIT LAKE

ORLEANS

LAKE PARK

LYON

OSCEOLA

DICKINSON EMMET

PALO ALTO

CLAY

O’BRIEN

SIOUX

PLYMOUTHCHEROKEE

BUENA VISTA

POCAHONTAS

SACIDAWOODBURY

MONONACRAWFORD CARROLL

HARRISONSHELBY AUDUBON

Storm Lake

Alta

Channel Catfish

Northern Pike

Walleye

The yellow-headed black-bird is found

in wetlands and prairie marshes of northwestern

Iowa

Photo by Clay Smith

Little Sioux River in Dickinson County

Little Sioux RiverMap #1 The

dickcissel is a sparrow-like bird found throughout

Iowa in prairie grasslands

The Little Sioux River is an Iowa prairie stream. It begins its journey in the swampy area of southwestern Minnesota and flows for approximately 220 miles, emptying into the Missouri River almost midway between Sioux City and Omaha. The Little Sioux may not offer consistent paddling opportunities in Dickinson and Clay Counties, but it does flow by scenic prairie remnants and public areas. On its southwesterly course past Spencer, its flow increases as it is joined by the Ocheyedan River. This is western Iowa’s largest interior stream; the Little Sioux’s watershed is nearly equal to the watersheds of the Wapsipinicon and Maquoketa Rivers combined.

Because of its scenic beauty, the area from Spencer to Linn Grove was designated as a Protected Water Area. Visitors will enjoy remote areas of prairie and woodlands, making this a wild and interesting segment to paddle. But there is beauty above and below this stretch, too. Scenic, high wooded ridges and bluffs rise from the banks of the Little Sioux south of Spencer through a narrow valley. Wildlife can be viewed everywhere along the Little Sioux, but O’Brien County, because of its public lands and wildlife areas, offers some of the best viewing. The Prairie Heritage Cen-ter, overlooking the river near Hannibal Waterman Wildlife Area, offers information about prehistoric cultures of the area (712-295-7200).

Remnant prairies, wooded ridges, and high bluffs with a slowly moving stream are the common features in this scenic river system. Fast-moving water and riffles between Martin and Barnes accesses are a change of pace, and other more rapid areas exist downstream of the Washta Access, and downstream of Correctionville. Most of the lower Little Sioux was channel-ized throughout the Loess Hills area, detracting from the experience in this geologically unique part of the state.

The Little Sioux is one of the to-pnotch catfishing streams in the state. Walleye and northern pike concentrate below rock riffles and the Linn Grove Dam during spring movements.

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Hard-surface boat ramp

Carry down access

Campground

Rapids or rock dam

Dam (danger!)Drinking water near river

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5-mile markers, from mouth

Watercraft campsite

Federal or state highway

City or town

Paved & unpaved roads

Public lands

!l Fishing access| Unmaintained access

There are two low-head dams on the Little Sioux indi-cated with the dam icon: n. Paddlers need to avoid these dams, landing well above and launching far below them. Dangerous currents below these dams are capable of trapping and holding you un-derwater for extended periods of time.

Expedition &

Fishing Guide

Water Trails

Iowa

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Little Sioux Riverand Mill Creek

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Middle Rd Access

Sue JordahlCanoe Access

470th St Access

High Country Rd Access

450th St Access

Bridge Access

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Mill Creek

Mill Creek

CHEROKEE

Litt

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N1/2 mi.

1/4 mi.

Pearse Area on Little Sioux River

Mill Creek

Great blue herons are routinely seen along

rivers throughout the

Mill CreekMap #2

Channel Catfish Caught on Little Sioux in Buena Vista County

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Little Sioux River MAP #1

Mill Creek Map #2

Ocheyedan River

Little

Siou

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Cherokee

Sioux City

Spencer

Storm Lake

Spirit Lake

Okoboji

Algona

Onawa

Be safe out there!

Wear a life jacket!They really do save lives. It won’t work if you don’t wear it.

Don’t boat under the influenceFor your safety, don’t use alchohol or drugs on the water.

Watch for hazardsOn rivers, hazards like dams, fences, snags, rocks, and bridge abuttments may be present. Dams and snags in particular can be killers. Avoid them!

Plan to get wet!You may capsize, so dress for the weather. When the water and/or weather get cold, warm-when-wet clothing and a wetsuit are needed.

Stay legal!

Land along the Little Sioux River and its tributaries, including Mill Creek, is privately owned – these waters are navigable, but you must respect private property.

Littering is a crime – pack out everything you bring in. Report littering or dumping by calling 888-NOLITTR.

Resources

Water trails and recent listing of canoe/kayak liverieswww.iowadnr.gov/watertrails/

River gageswaterdata.usgs.gov or www.rivergages.com

Federal regulations prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap. State law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, or disability. If you believe you have been discrimi-nated against in any program, activity or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to the Iowa DNR, Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines, Iowa, 50319.

Mill Creek, when water levels are ad-equate, transports river users through numerous small rapids flowing over glacial stones. There is poor access, and you must make sure to respect private property here – much of the creek is bordered by pastures with fences that must be carefully negotiated. Scenic views of prairie ridges and red cedar groves on sloped terrain are common.

Mill Creek is also the name of a culture of inhabitants who lived in the area along the Little Sioux River and its tributaries (including Mill Creek) in Cherokee County from AD 1000 to 1200. Several villages have been discovered here, and evidence supports that the villagers were hunters as well as farmers. Their disappearance from this area is still a mystery. You can learn more about this culture at the Sanford Museum in Cherokee, IA.

Mill Creek Culture artifact photos courtesy of the

Sanford Museum in Cherokee, Iowa

Legend

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Hard-surface boat ramp

Carry down access

Campground

Rapids or rock dam

Dam (danger!)Drinking water near river

!_ Restroom

5-mile markers, from mouth

Watercraft campsite

Federal or state highway

City or town

Paved & unpaved roads

Public lands

!l Fishing access| Unmaintained access