Photo : Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
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Iowa
State, United States. Authority : Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR).
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
- Licence
- US$62Resident 3-Year Fishing
- Calendar lines open on
- 123 September 2026
- Minimum sizes
- 38.1 cmBlack bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted) – public lakes
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Responsible gearBacklit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kgTo check the minimum size: Largemouth bass 38.1 cm here.
€32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
10 cm Hard Lures, Pack of 5 with BoxFor : northern pike, zander, walleye · crankbait and hard-lure fishing
€30.90£16.90Not shipped to the United States
101-Piece Lure and Tackle BoxFor : northern pike, zander, walleye · spoon and spinner fishing
€41.90£23.90Not shipped to the United States
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2026 season calendar
"Season: All waters - Continuous"; Trout Fee required. Walleye closed on West/East Okoboji and Spirit lakes except May 2, 2026 - Feb. 14, 2027.
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–60 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted) – public lakes2 public lakes incl. Coralville, Rathbun, Saylorville, Red Rock, except as posted (18 in at listed lakes) | 38.1 cm | |
| Black bass – interior streams and river impoundments2 some stream segments catch-and-release | 30.5 cm | |
| Walleye – Mississippi River pools2 inland waters: no length limit except special lakes; Mississippi: 20-27 in protected slot, one over 27 in | 38.1 cm |
To check the minimum size: Largemouth bass 38.1 cm here. Backlit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kg €32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Black bass (combined)2 inland waters and interior streams; possession 6 | 3 per day |
| Walleye, sauger, saugeye (combined)2 inland waters; 3 on special lakes (Big Creek, Clear Lake, Storm Lake, Okoboji…) | 5 per day |
| Northern pike2 inland waters, no length limit; 5 on Mississippi/Missouri, 6 on Big Sioux | 3 per day |
| Trout (combined)2 possession 10 | 5 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Fishing License (16+)2 | annual (2026 licence year; resident on sale Dec. 15, 2025) | US$22 |
| Resident Annual Fishing (16+)2 | annual | US$22 |
| Resident 3-Year Fishing2 | 3-year | US$62 |
| Resident 7-Day Fishing2 | 7-day | US$15.50 |
| Resident 1-Day Fishing2 | 1-day | US$10.50 |
| Resident Trout Fee2 | annual | US$14.50 |
| Resident Lifetime Fishing (65+)2 | lifetime | US$61.50 |
| Nonresident Annual Fishing (16+)2 | annual | US$48 |
| Nonresident 7-Day Fishing2 | 7-day | US$37.50 |
| Nonresident 3-Day Fishing2 | 3-day | US$20.50 |
| Nonresident 1-Day Fishing2 | 1-day | US$12 |
| Nonresident Trout Fee2 | annual | US$17.50 |
| Annual 3rd Fishing Line Permit2 | annual | US$14 |
Buy the licence on gooutdoorsiowa.com
- Ages and exemptions2
- Residents and nonresidents under 16 years old do not need a fishing license. Under-16s may fish for trout without the Trout Fee only with a licensed adult who paid it (shared trout limit). Residents 65+: lifetime fishing license $61.50.
Good to know
Continuous seasons for bass, pike, trout. Black bass 3/day with 15-in minimum on public lakes and 12-in on interior streams. Walleye 5/day inland, protected slots on Clear Lake, Storm Lake and the Iowa Great Lakes. Free fishing days June 5-7, 2026.
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- Date d'expiration exacte du permis annuel non relevée dans la brochure 2026
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Lake Red Rock reservoir, Marion County
Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, Northern pike, Common carp, Bluegill, Walleye View on the map - Rathbun Lake reservoir, Appanoose County
Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, Walleye View on the map - Spirit Lake lake, Dickinson County
Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Northern pike, Muskellunge, Common carp, Bluegill, Walleye View on the map - Coralville Lake reservoir, Johnson County
Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Northern pike, Common carp, Grass carp, Bluegill, Walleye View on the map - Saylorville Lake reservoir, Polk County
Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, Northern pike, Common carp, Bluegill, Walleye View on the map - West Okoboji Lake lake, Dickinson County
Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Northern pike, Muskellunge, Common carp, Bluegill, Walleye View on the map - Clear Lake lake, Cerro Gordo County
Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, Northern pike, Muskellunge, Common carp, Bluegill, Walleye View on the map - Storm Lake lake, Buena Vista County
Channel catfish, Common carp, Walleye View on the map - East Okoboji Lake lake, Dickinson County
Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Northern pike, Muskellunge, Common carp, Bluegill, Walleye View on the map - Lake Odessa lake, Louisa County
Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, Bluegill View on the map - Tuttle Lake lake, Emmet County
Channel catfish, Northern pike, Common carp, Bluegill, Walleye
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in Iowa in 2026?
The “Resident 3-Year Fishing” licence costs US$62 (3-year). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for largemouth bass in Iowa?
Largemouth bass: 38.1 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- Iowa DNR – Fishing Licenses (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- 2026 Iowa Fishing Regulations (PDF officiel Iowa DNR) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Go Outdoors Iowa (vente officielle) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
Last checked : 23 September 2026.