Paint Creek flows for 11 miles through the heart of the Yellow River State Forest in Allamakee County, making it one of northeast Iowa's premier trout fishing destinations. This spring-fed stream cuts through the Driftless Area, terrain that escaped the last continental glacier and now provides the cold, crystal-clear waters essential for sustaining wild trout populations. The creek takes its name from Paint Rock Bluff near Waukon Junction, once an important navigational landmark for Mississippi River traffic. As a tributary of the Mississippi River, Paint Creek offers anglers a rare combination of stocked rainbow and brook trout alongside an estimated 136 wild French Creek strain brown trout per mile. The stream's tree-lined banks, lush foliage, and richly textured landscape create a tranquil setting where gin-clear water turns a distinctive blue-green color in the deeper pools.