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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 6, 2020
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released between 1,000 to 2,000 rainbow trout at six of the 18 community trout stocking locations across Iowa as part of its cool weather trout program that brings trout to areas that cannot support them during the summer.
The following locations are ready for anglers to catch trout: Banner Lake (Indianola), Big Lake, (Council Bluffs), Sand Lake (Marshalltown), Moorland Pond (Fort Dodge), North Prairie Lake (Cedar Falls) and Heritage Pond (Dubuque).
All fall community trout stockings will be unannounced and there will not be any family fishing events to help reduce the crowd size at stocking locations and minimize the spread of COVID-19.
Check the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/trout and watch for future press releases to find out when the remaining community trout locations have been stocked. All community trout stocking locations should be stocked by November 4th.
The fall community trout stockings are a great place to take kids to catch their first fish. A small hook with a nightcrawler or corn under a small bobber or small simple spinners such as a panther martin or mepps is all you need to get in on the fun.
Bringing trout to cities and towns offers a “close to home” option for Iowans who might not travel to the coldwater streams in northeast Iowa to discover trout fishing.
The popular program is supported by the sales of the trout fee. Anglers need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. The daily limit is five trout per licensed angler with a possession limit of 10.
Children age 15 or younger can fish for trout with a properly licensed adult, but they must limit their catch to one daily limit. The child can purchase a trout fee which will allow them to catch their own limit.
Find more information about trout fishing in Iowa including our Community Trout Stocking Program on the DNR trout fishing webpage.
Media Contact: Mike Steuck, regional fisheries supervisor, Northeast Iowa, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 563-927-3276.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently confirmed that zebra mussels are in Black Hawk Lake.
A marina operator reported finding zebra mussels on boat lifts removed from the lake for winter storage. Investigation by DNR staff discovered low numbers of zebra mussels on additional boat lifts. DNR staff will conduct surveys at Black Hawk Lake next summer to monitor the abundance and distribution of zebra mussels in the lake.
The documentation of zebra mussels in another lake highlights the spread of aquatic invasive species in Iowa waters. “The zebra mussels in Black Hawk Lake probably arrived on or in a boat that had picked up the mussels from an infested water body, like nearby Storm Lake,” said Kim Bogenschutz, the DNR’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program coordinator.
Zebra mussels look like small, D-shaped clams that have alternating light and dark bands. Most are less than one inch long. They are filter feeders that can form dense clusters as they attach to hard underwater surfaces. Large infestations may interfere with aquatic food chains, kill native mussels, clog water intakes, increase algae blooms, and cover beaches with dead shells. Currently there is no effective treatment to control zebra mussels once they have infested a lake.
Young zebra mussels are microscopic and can be unintentionally transported with water in live wells, bilges, ballast or bait buckets. Adult zebra mussels can attach to boats, trailers and aquatic vegetation.
It is illegal to possess or transport prohibited aquatic invasive species, such as zebra mussels, in Iowa. Boaters must also drain all water from boats and equipment before they leave water access and must keep drain plugs removed or opened during transport.
“Boaters and anglers can unintentionally spread zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species if they do not take the proper precautions - clean, drain, dry - after each time out on the water,” said Bogenschutz.
- CLEAN any plants, animals or mud from boat and equipment before you leave a water body.
- DRAIN water from all equipment (motor, live well, bilge, transom well, bait bucket) before you leave a water body.
- DRY anything that comes into contact with water (boats, trailers, equipment, boots, clothing, dogs). Before you move to another waterbody either:
- Spray your boat and trailer with hot, high-pressure water; or
- Dry your boat and equipment for at least 5 days.
- Never release plants, fish or animals into a water body unless they came out of that water body and empty unwanted bait in the trash.
“Draining all water is a critical step in preventing the spread of zebra mussels,” said Bogenschutz.
Find more information about aquatic invasive species and a list of infested waters in the 2020 Iowa Fishing Regulations booklet or on the DNR’s website at www.iowadnr.gov/ais.
Media Contact: For more information, contact Kim Bogenschutz, Boone Wildlife Research Station, at 515-290-0540 or Ben Wallace, Black Hawk Fisheries Office, at 712-657-2638.
DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a free virtual workshop to teach skills needed to trap furbearers in Iowa.
This virtual workshop consists of two separate online knowledge and skills building sessions with instructors that possess the experience to teach skills necessary to become efficient trappers.
“For those interested in trapping furbearers, this program provides the opportunity to learn the skills and knowledge it takes to do it all yourself,” said Jamie Cook, program coordinator with the Iowa DNR.
Participants will learn basic strategies for trapping such as history, fur market trends, regulations, proper equipment, techniques and fur handling.
The course is geared for participants 16 and older. Those under 16 must have an adult register and participate in the course as well. Space is limited so register right way to ensure your spot.
The workshop is split into two courses. The first course will be held Oct. 20 and cover trapping history, trapping regulations and trapping as a management tool. The second course will be held Oct. 22 and cover trapping strategies, nuisance trapping, and fur handling. Participants can sign up for either or both courses. For more information and to begin the registration process visit:
Course 1: Oct. 20 - https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/163033
Course 2: Oct. 22 - https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/163034
The program is provided by the Iowa DNR. It is part of a national effort to recruit, retain and reactivate hunters and trappers due to the overall decline in hunting and outdoor recreation.
Media Contact: Jamie Cook, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 859-779-0222.
She Goes Outdoors has partnered with the Audubon Society, Kansas Ornithological Society, and The Wild Bird Habitat Store for this month's release – a birding box.
These subscription boxes are designed to develop and expand outdoor skills. Box themes will change seasonally. Each box is packed full of gear, educational resources, field guides, and more for only $50 -including shipping and handling. A single purchase will get you one skilled focused box. You pick and choose what boxes you want to purchase based on what skills interest you most.
Purchase your box now at SGoOutdoors.com.
- Sign up by Oct. 23 for the November 2020 box highlight birding.
- Each item in the box is accompanied by a lesson on proper use and an invitation to an exclusive virtual workshop on the highlighted topic.
- The first 100 boxes sold will receive a custom She Goes Outdoors vinyl sticker.
- Future planned subscription box topics include: outdoor cooking, pollinators, and fishing.
Cherokee - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has extended the relaxed fishing regulations at Spring Lake at Koser Spring Lake Park until Oct. 26.
Anglers with a valid sport fishing license may harvest all sizes and unlimited quantities of any species of fish from Spring Lake. Any number of fishing poles or jug fishing is allowed. Anglers must remain in sight of these lines at all times, and follow all other fishing regulations and area rules. Trot lines will be allowed (name and address must be attached), however lines may not be set across the entire water body.
Liberalized fishing regulations for Spring Lake will be in effect until Oct. 26. Specific regulation changes include:
- Removal of bag and length limit restrictions on largemouth bass.
- Removal of bag limit on channel catfish.
- Removal of bag limit on crappie and bluegill.
Dynamite, poison, electric shocking devices, or any stupefying substances are not allowed. It is illegal to sell fish or stock captured fish into public waters.
The DNR will restock the lake next spring.
Media Contact: Ben Wallace, Fisheries Management Biologist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 712-657-2638.
Indianola - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has relaxed the fishing regulations at Lake Ahquabi and Hooper Lake in Warren County to allow anglers to more freely harvest fish before the lakes are drained in mid-summer 2021.
During draw-down the DNR will repair outlet structures at both lakes and eliminate Gizzard Shad from Lake Ahquabi. In addition, the DNR plans to renovate the fishing pier, enhance fish habitat and is exploring the feasibility to remove sediment in targeted areas and stabilize the eroded shoreline. These projects will coincide with infrastructure and campground improvements at Lake Ahquabi State Park to minimize the impact to recreation and park use.
Anglers with a valid sport fishing license may harvest all sizes and unlimited quantities of any species of fish from Lake Ahquabi and Hooper Lake. Any number of fishing poles or jug fishing is allowed. Anglers must remain in sight of these lines at all times, and follow all other fishing regulations and area rules. Trot lines will be allowed (name and address must be attached), however lines may not be set across the entire water body. Dynamite, poison, electric shocking devices, or any stupefying substances are not allowed.
Liberalized fishing regulations for Lake Ahquabi and Hooper Lake will be in effect until the DNR begins draining the lakes in mid-summer 2021. Specific regulation changes include:
- Removal of bag and length limit restrictions on largemouth bass.
- Removal of bag limit on channel catfish.
- Removal of bag limit on crappie, bluegill, and redear sunfish.
It is illegal to sell fish or introduce any live fish, except for hooked bait, into public waters. All water must be drained from water-related equipment when leaving a water access, including live wells and bait buckets. Drain plugs, bailers and valves must remain removed or open during transport.
The DNR will restock both lakes in 2023.
Media Contacts: Ben Dodd, Fisheries Management Biologist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources; ben.dodd@dnr.iowa.gov; 641-891-3795.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is working with state and local officials to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and has transitioned employees to work remotely. DNR offices are closed to the public during this time and only available by appointment.
In other efforts to further reduce the spread of Covid-19, the DNR is encouraging the use of the online services for purchasing licenses, submitting applications, payments and other daily tasks and interaction with DNR staff.
The FREE Go Outdoors Iowa app is available at the App store and Google Play. The Go Outdoors Iowa app allows users to purchase and view hunting and fishing licenses and submit harvest and quota reports, all from your cell phone.
Full list of DNR’s online services: https://www.iowadnr.gov/about-dnr/about-dnr/online-services-databases.
Up-to-date information on DNR services, facilities and events impacted by Covid-19: https://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/Covid-19.
Technical information for regulated businesses in regards to Covid-19: https://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/Social-Media-Press-Room/Disaster-Assistance#3057321-covid---19-outbreak.
Thank you for your patience and flexibility during this time. If you need to contact DNR staff you can reach them by email or phone or by calling (515) 725-8200.
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