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Eastern IA River Valleys Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

Eastern IA River Valleys

Excellent

Eastern Iowa along the Mississippi and tributaries. Steep wooded bluffs with white oak, hickory, and elm. Yellow River SF, Effigy Mounds NM, and Maquoketa Caves area. Bottomland cottonwood and ash produce early morels.

Trees:White Oak Hickory American Elm

Updated Oct 11, 5:08 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

Eastern IA River Valleys is Excellent right now: soil is holding at 67°F, and the 14-day total of 2.46" has kept moisture sustained (0.23 VWC on the 7-day average, 0.20 today) with no drought and no limiting factor. Nearly every species in the model is firing at high confidence, so the real question is what's worth your time. The October heavy hitters are Hen of the Woods, Chicken of the Woods, Lion's Mane, Bear's Head Tooth, Honey Mushroom, Blewit, Wine Cap, Hedgehog, Smooth Chanterelle, Giant Puffball and Shaggy Mane. Shaggy Parasol and the meadow-type grassland species are in play on open ground. Be aware that the lethal Amanitas and Galerina are also at high confidence, so Death Cap, Destroying Angel and Deadly Galerina are fruiting alongside your edibles, particularly in the wood-chip and lawn habitats where Wine Cap and the Lepiotas show up. The only softness is in the stinkhorns: Ravenel's and Elegant are at moderate, with just 3 of 7 days above threshold, so expect them to build over the coming week. Only 0.18" fell in the last 7 days, so watch for the moisture buffer thinning. If the dry stretch continues, flushes will taper first on exposed upland sites, while the bottomlands should hold longer. Hot tip: Work the river-bottom oaks and elms for Hen of the Woods and Chicken of the Woods while moisture is still sustained, then finish on shaded, leaf-littered edges for Blewits, which will outlast the drier ground.

Generated by Claude (Anthropic) from the structured weather, soil, and phenology data on this page. The LLM can misread edge cases — treat this as a starting hypothesis, not a guarantee. Always verify conditions on the ground before committing to a long drive.

Foraging Potential95/100

✅Moisture

✅Soil Temp

✅No Freeze

✅No Drought

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Nearby Camping

Within(2)

Massillon Campground

developed

~7.1 mi from centerFee required/night

10 sites

toilet

Walnut Grove Park

developed

~9.3 mi from centerFee required/night

17 sites

toiletelectric hookup

⚠ Road Access Notice

Always verify road access is public before following GPS directions to mountain areas. Many forest roads are seasonal, gated, or require 4WD. Dispersed camping follows USFS/BLM rules (typically 14-day limit). Check ranger district offices for current road and campground conditions.

Viable Species

Confidence × Primordia state

HIGHPrimed

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Hen of the WoodsGrifola frondosa

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Lion's ManeHericium erinaceus

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Honey MushroomArmillaria mellea

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Destroying AngelAmanita bisporigera

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

BlewitLepista nuda

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Liberty CapPsilocybe semilanceata

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

EarthstarGeastrum triplex

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

ChagaInonotus obliquus

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Deadly GalerinaGalerina marginata

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Sulphur TuftHypholoma fasciculare

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Scarlet WaxcapHygrocybe coccinea

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow FootCraterellus tubaeformis

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Violet WebcapCortinarius violaceus

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

BlusherAmanita rubescens

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Gem-Studded PuffballLycoperdon perlatum

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow PatchesAmanita flavoconia

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Poison PieHebeloma crustuliniforme

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Blackening RussulaRussula nigricans

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Woolly Milk CapLactarius torminosus

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Winter PolyporePolyporus brumalis

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Elfin SaddleHelvella crispa

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Tooth JellyPseudohydnum gelatinosum

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Crested CoralClavulina cristata

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Brown Roll-RimPaxillus involutus

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Elm OysterHypsizygus ulmarius

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Devil's CigarChorioactis geaster

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Aniseed FunnelClitocybe odora

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow Fly AgaricAmanita muscaria var. guessowii

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Winter Mushroom / Wild EnokiFlammulina velutipes

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Snowy WaxcapCuphophyllus virgineus

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Rooted CollybiaXerula furfuracea

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Amethyst DeceiverLaccaria amethystina

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

The DeceiverLaccaria laccata

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Amanita Muscaria

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-Gilled GymGymnopilus luteofolius

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Common StinkhornPhallus impudicus

All conditions met (soil 67°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

soil warming up (67°F today, only 3/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained

MODERATEActivating

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

soil warming up (67°F today, only 3/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.20 VWC, 7d avg 0.23 — moisture sustained

Primordia readiness: Cold = mycelium dormant. Activating = soil warming, primordia building. Primed = 5+ sustained warm days at species threshold; fruiting imminent if moisture cooperates. Based on Schmidt 1983 / Mihail 2007.

Eastern IA River Valleys

AI Conditions Report

Found something?

Nearby Camping

Massillon Campground

Walnut Grove Park

Conditions History

Viable Species