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Do You Need a Fishing License in Iowa?
Yes. Anyone 16 or older must have an Iowa fishing license to fish any public water. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issues all licenses.
Disabled veterans and POWs fish free with proper documentation.
A Trout Fee is required in addition to a fishing license to fish for or possess trout. Boundary waters fishing rules apply on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.
How Much Does an Iowa Fishing License Cost in 2026?
Resident annual fishing license: $22. Resident 3-year: $62. Nonresident annual: $48. Lifetime resident senior (65+): $61.50. Nonresident short-term licenses are covered in the next section.
Trout Fee: $14.50 (required to fish for or possess trout). Boundary waters (Mississippi and Missouri rivers) sportsman's license: $55.50 resident.
Third-line fishing privilege (a third pole) costs an extra $14 statewide.
| License or fee | 2026 fee |
|---|---|
| Resident annual fishing | $22 |
| Resident 3-year fishing | $62 |
| Nonresident annual fishing | $48 |
| Nonresident 1-day | $12 |
| Nonresident 7-day | $37.50 |
| Trout fee | $14.50 |
| Resident boundary waters sportsman's | $55.50 |
| Resident lifetime (65+) | $61.50 |
| Third-line privilege | $14 |
How Much Is a 1-Day Fishing License in Iowa?
A one-day Iowa fishing license costs $12 and is a nonresident license. Iowa doesn't sell a resident one-day license, so residents buy the annual or three-year license instead.
Nonresidents fishing a full week can buy a 7-day license for $37.50 instead.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Fishing License in Iowa?
Iowa requires a fishing license for anyone 16 or older. Residents under 16 fish free, nonresidents under 16 may fish under a parent or guardian's license with the parent's bag limit covering both, and Iowa offers a youth-mentor license for first-time anglers ages 16 and 17.
How Much Is a Lifetime Fishing License in Iowa?
Iowa's lifetime resident senior fishing license costs $61.50 and is available to residents 65 or older. Residents under 65 buy the annual or three-year license instead.
Where to Buy an Iowa Fishing License
Online via Go Outdoors Iowa (opens in a new tab), the DNR licensing portal, is instant. The license is delivered to your phone or as a printable PDF.
Walk-in vendors include Scheels, Bass Pro, Cabela's, Fin & Feather, most Walmart and Theisens locations, and hundreds of bait shops. The DNR site has a vendor locator.
DNR offices in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Mount Pleasant, Manchester, Spirit Lake, and Lewis sell licenses Monday through Friday.
Free Fishing Days in Iowa
Iowa's Free Fishing Weekend runs the first weekend of June. In 2026, that's Friday June 5 through Sunday June 7. Iowa residents fish without a license those three days.
The free privilege applies to residents only. Nonresidents still need a license to fish during Iowa Free Fishing Weekend.
DNR hosts dozens of family-friendly events around the state with loaner equipment, free bait, and casting instruction. State parks like Lake of Three Fires and Backbone host major events.
Key Iowa Fishing Regulations You Need to Know
Walleye limit is 3 daily with a 15-inch minimum statewide, but the Mississippi River allows 6 with no minimum length. Sauger has no minimum and a 6-fish limit on the Mississippi.
Largemouth and smallmouth bass have a 15-inch minimum and 3-fish daily limit on inland waters. The Mississippi River has different rules with no minimum length and a 5-fish daily limit.
Trout limit is 5 with an active Trout Fee. Iowa's trout streams in the northeast are mostly catch-and-release in winter (October 15 to April 1).
Best Fishing Spots in Iowa
The Mississippi River along Iowa's eastern border (Pools 9-19) offers world-class walleye, smallmouth, and white bass. Pool 9 near Lansing is famous for big bluegill in spring.
Spirit Lake and Okoboji in northwest Iowa hold walleye, yellow perch, and muskies. Big Spirit produces some of the Midwest's largest perch each winter.
Northeast Iowa's spring-fed trout streams (Bloody Run, French Creek, South Bear) are stocked weekly April through October. Coralville Reservoir is a top crappie and white bass spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Resident annual is $22, nonresident annual is $48. Iowa offers a 3-year resident license for $62 and a 7-day nonresident license for $37.50.
Friday June 5 through Sunday June 7, 2026. Iowa residents fish without a license. Nonresidents still need a license to fish during the free weekend.
Yes. You need both a fishing license and a Trout Fee ($14.50) to fish for or possess trout in Iowa. The fee applies to all anglers 16 and older, residents and nonresidents.
No. Residents under 16 fish free. Nonresidents under 16 may fish under a parent or guardian's license but the parent's bag limit covers both. Iowa offers a youth-mentor license for ages 16-17.
Online at gooutdoorsiowa.com for instant delivery, or at Scheels, Bass Pro, Cabela's, Walmart, Theisens, and hundreds of local vendors statewide. DNR offices also sell licenses.
Three walleye daily with a 15-inch minimum on inland waters. The Mississippi River allows 6 walleye daily with no minimum length, harmonized with Wisconsin's rules.