With both the Mississippi and Missouri rivers running through it, plus plenty of lakes, ponds and streams, Iowa is home to about 148 fish species. With some 247,000 licensed anglers in Iowa, there is no question the Hawkeye State is a popular place to fish, whether you're casting for catfish or trout.
However, before you go out and hit up the trout streams of the northeast corner of the state or trawling for record-setting catfish in the Mississippi, make sure you have the proper fishing license. Here are three things to know about applying for an adult fishing permit in Iowa.
1. Licenses Can Be Purchased Online
With access to a printer, it is very easy to purchase your Iowa fishing license
online from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
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Anglers must carry a paper copy of the license at all times while fishing (a screenshot on a smartphone doesn't cut it).
2. Fees
License fees vary depending on whether or not the license holder is an Iowa resident.
For Iowa residents, as of 2016, an annual license costs $19. Anglers also had the option of buying a three-year license for $53 or a seven-day fishing pass for $13.50.
There is also a one-day option, which costs $9.50. There is an additional $12.50 fee to fish for trout.
Fees are significantly higher for out-of-state residents: annual permits, $41; seven-day permit, $32; one-day permit $10.50; and trout fee $15.
3. Download the Regulations
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources makes it very easy to follow the rules by offering a PDF version of its fishing regulations each year. It's easy to read and lists any changes to fishing laws each year at the beginning of the document.
Applicants can download it from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' website.
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