New Rathbun Reservoir map available on the DNR website 12/17/2019 1:07:00 PM View Count 4515 Fisheries staff from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources recently surveyed Rathbun Reservoir. An updated fishing map is available on the DNR website.
DNR conservation officer and park ranger rescue duck hunters 11/29/2019 2:40:00 PM View Count 3002 MONONA COUNTY, Iowa - DNR Conservation Officer Gary Sisco and DNR Park Ranger Katie Hoeppner responded to a stranded boat with duck hunters on West Blue Lake, a marsh off of Blue Lake in Monona County in the evening hours of November 26.
DNR to host open house on site of former Camp Aldersgate 10/22/2019 3:52:00 PM View Count 2958 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau will be hosting an open house to collect comments on future planning for the building site at the former Camp Aldersgate.
DNR to eliminate Gizzard Shad at Lake Sugema 10/15/2019 11:41:00 AM View Count 3582 KEOSAUQUA, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will treat Lake Sugema on Oct. 29 (pending workable weather conditions) with a very low concentration of rotenone to eliminate gizzard shad. If the treatment is postponed, it will be rescheduled for sometime with better weather conditions this fall.
DNR to host meeting on Meadow Lake Water Quality Improvement Plan 9/26/2019 1:30:00 PM View Count 2627 GREENFIELD – Iowans interested in the results of a DNR study to improve water quality in Meadow Lake in Adair County can attend a meeting Tuesday, Oct. 8. Citizens are encouraged to bring their questions and ideas to improve the lake to the meeting for discussion.
Iowa DNR, Imagine Iowa Great Lakes launch seawall repair project 9/24/2019 12:55:00 PM View Count 2844 Okoboji, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Imagine Iowa Great Lakes began work this week to repair the seawall at Arnolds Park. The project will stabilize the foundation of the sidewalk and ultimately serve as a platform for the beautification work led by Imagine Iowa Great Lakes.
DNR investigates boat crash involving BWI, injures one 9/17/2019 1:40:00 PM View Count 2875 COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- On September 15, 2019, at approximately 7:30 pm at Lake Manawa, a boat and a personal watercraft (PWC) were leaving a 5 mph zone and gaining speed, going in the same direction, when the PWC made an abrupt right turn and collided with the front of the boat, according to witnesses.
Nonresident annual permit for Lake Manawa and Waubonsie state parks available online September 18 9/17/2019 1:34:00 PM View Count 2332 Nonresidents now have another option to purchase the annual vehicle permit for Lake Manawa and Waubonsie state parks.
New crayfish harvest regulation on Storm Lake 9/17/2019 1:31:00 PM View Count 4433 STORM LAKE, Iowa – To help reduce the spread of rusty crayfish to other waterbodies in Iowa, licensed bait dealers can no longer harvest any crayfish species from Storm Lake. Crayfish collected for bait from Storm Lake for personal use can only be used in Storm Lake and cannot be transported live from the lake.
Rice Lake use soars after lake renovation 9/17/2019 1:25:00 PM View Count 4154 LAKE MILLS, Iowa - Trevis and Kris Erickson saw as business opportunity emerge 150 feet from the front of their new home.
Kent Park Lake celebration to highlight lake restoration project 9/10/2019 2:30:00 PM View Count 3152 OXFORD, Iowa – A celebration of the lake restoration efforts at F.W. Kent Park in Johnson County will be held Sept. 21st, from 1-4:30 pm at the boat ramp at Kent Park Lake, located at 2408 US-6 in Oxford.
DNR removes no-wake speed restriction at Blue Lake 9/10/2019 2:27:00 PM View Count 2601 MONONA COUNTY, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has lifted the no-wake speed restriction, which equates to roughly 5 mph, for boating on Blue Lake at Lewis and Clark State Park.
Central Park Lake celebration to highlight lake restoration project 9/3/2019 12:24:00 PM View Count 2266 CENTER JUNCTION, Iowa – A celebration of the lake restoration efforts at Central Park in Jones County will be held Sept. 5th, from 5-7:30 pm at the beach at Central Park Lake, located at 12515 Central Park Road, in Center Junction.
Odessa hunters should plan ahead for lower water levels this fall 9/3/2019 12:17:00 PM View Count 2410 Wapello, Iowa - The water at Lake Odessa will not be raised to normal levels for the 2019 Iowa waterfowl season to allow the area’s diverse forest resource to recover after prolonged major flooding by the Mississippi River.
Natural Resource Commission to meet Sept. 12 in Clear Lake 9/3/2019 7:55:00 AM View Count 2368 Des Moines, Iowa – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will meet at 8:30 a.m., Sept. 12, at the Lakeview Community Center, 10 North Lakeview Drive, in Clear Lake.
Non-resident user fee pilot project underway at Lake Manawa, Waubonsie state parks 8/27/2019 11:53:00 AM View Count 2603 Council Bluffs, Iowa - With Labor Day Weekend just a few days away, nonresidents visiting Lake Manawa State Park or Waubonsie State Park are reminded of a new nonresident vehicle fee requirement that began on Aug. 15.
Contracts and tour on Environmental Protection agenda 8/15/2019 3:13:00 PM View Count 2209 DES MOINES - Contracts and a tour of Easter Lake watershed improvement project are the highlights of the Aug. 20 Environmental Protection Commission meeting in Des Moines.
Nonresident user fees at Lake Manawa and Waubonsie state parks to go live next week 8/7/2019 11:27:00 AM View Count 5193 A new, nonresident user fee will take effect August 15 at Lake Manawa and Waubonsie state parks.
Iowa DNR, State Medical Examiner's Office investigating Waukee man’s death at Clear Lake 8/5/2019 8:15:00 AM View Count 3534 CLEAR LAKE, Iowa -- On August 3, 2019, at approximately 2:30 pm, Daniel Ryan Linderman, 28, of Waukee, IA, was tubing behind a boat being operated by Timothy Heitland of Buffalo Center, IA, when Linderman fell off the tube into the water.
DNR removes no-wake speed restriction on Lake Manawa 7/29/2019 2:59:00 PM View Count 2968 COUNCIL BLUFFS – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has lifted the no-wake speed restriction, which equates to roughly 5 mph, for boating on Lake Manawa.
Governor Reynolds proclaims July as Lakes Appreciation Month 7/23/2019 12:37:00 PM View Count 2491 Governor Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation declaring July as Lakes Appreciation Month.
Water level to drop at West Lake Park ahead of restoration 7/10/2019 11:22:00 AM View Count 3285 DAVENPORT – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will start lowering the water level at Lake of the Hills, Railroad Lake, Lambach Lake and Bluegrass Lake at West Lake Park on July 15 as part of a lake restoration project to improve water quality and recreational opportunities.
No wake speed in place at Blue Lake 7/6/2019 10:35:00 AM View Count 2808 Monona County, Iowa -- Boaters on Blue Lake, in Onawa, will be restricted to operating their boat at no wake speed, which equates to roughly 5 mph, while the lake level is above flood stage.
Zebra mussels found in Crystal Lake 6/25/2019 12:49:00 PM View Count 3199 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is closely monitoring Crystal Lake for zebra mussels after recent discoveries of juveniles in a water sample and two individuals on a sampling plate used to monitor for zebra mussels. No adult zebra mussels were found during a follow-up survey.
Easter Lake Park celebration to highlight lake restoration project and Mark C. Ackelson Trail grand opening 6/18/2019 2:06:00 PM View Count 2933 DES MOINES, Iowa - A celebration of a decade of restoration efforts at Easter Lake will take place Sunday, June 23rd, from 1-5 pm at the Easter Lake Park Beach, located at 2883 East Watrous Avenue in Des Moines. A grand opening of the Mark C. Ackelson trail will also take place at the event.
Charge filed in May 25 boating incident at Browns Lake 6/11/2019 3:36:00 PM View Count 3104 SALIX, Iowa -- DNR Conservation Officers have filed a charge and warnings as a result of a boat incident that happened at Browns Lake on May 25 that left two people seriously injured.
Water level to drop at Meadow Lake 6/11/2019 3:31:00 PM View Count 3695 GREENFIELD, Iowa – The water level of Meadow Lake near Greenfield in Adair County will be lowered 3 feet starting June 14, to help improve the size of bluegills in the lake. The water will be released slowly over the next two weeks to avoid any downstream impacts.
Lake Manawa boaters under no wake restriction due to high water 6/5/2019 3:06:00 PM View Count 3819 COUNCIL BLUFFS - Boaters on Lake Manawa, in Pottawattamie County, will be restricted to operating their boat at no wake speed, which equates to roughly 5 mph, while the lake level is above flood stage.
Public wildlife areas add to recreation options at Three Mile and Twelve Mile lakes 6/4/2019 2:05:00 PM View Count 3334 The reputation of Three Mile Lake and Twelve Mile Lake as a fishing destination is well known around the Midwest – and beyond. These two lakes, separated by two miles, are panfish and walleye heavyweights that draw anglers from Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, the Dakotas, Missouri and Nebraska eager for a chance to fill their bag limits.
Two seriously injured in incident at Brown’s Lake 5/26/2019 6:11:00 PM View Count 4013 SALIX, Iowa – DNR Conservation Officers responded to a boating incident that left two people with serious injuries on Saturday, May 25 at Brown’s Lake just before 4:00pm.
Spring fishing in full swing across Iowa 5/21/2019 1:05:00 PM View Count 3285 Crappies and bluegills are biting in small ponds and lakes across Iowa. Spring panfish fishing is a great time to introduce beginners of all ages to fishing. Catching panfish is easy and fun.
Dudgeon Lake wildlife area remains popular despite 2011 storm 5/7/2019 2:34:00 PM View Count 3137 It’s been nearly eight years since the Derecho blew through Benton County, but the impact of that storm on Dudgeon Lake Wildlife Area is still easily visible off Hwy. 150. The popular 1,800-acre public area on the north edge of Vinton was in the path of the powerful storm packing 110-130 mile per hour winds, knocking down buildings, powerlines and trees on July 11, 2011.
Iowa DNR starts first phase to manage the invasive curlyleaf pondweed at Iowa Great Lakes 4/30/2019 11:45:00 AM View Count 3012 Spirit Lake, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), working with the East Okoboji Lakes Improvement Corporation (EOLIC), started the first phase of the curlyleaf pondweed management strategy for the Iowa Great Lakes on April 26.
Management planned for Eurasian watermilfoil found at Crystal Lake 4/23/2019 3:12:00 PM View Count 2283 Crystal Lake, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed last fall that Eurasian watermilfoil was growing again in Crystal Lake, located seven miles west of Forest City in Hancock County.
Geode State Park restoration project starts next phase 4/23/2019 3:10:00 PM View Count 2650 Danville, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will start another phase of work at Geode State Park to improve water quality at Lake Geode and enhance accessibility and recreational opportunities in the park.
Walleye season opens May 4 on Iowa’s Great Lakes 4/23/2019 3:09:00 PM View Count 6592 The 143rd walleye fishing season officially opens May 4 at Spirit Lake, East and West Okoboji lakes.
Fishing regulations relaxed at Windmill Lake in Taylor County 4/16/2019 3:03:00 PM View Count 2510 NEW MARKET, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has relaxed the fishing regulations at Windmill Lake, near New Market, to allow anglers to more freely harvest fish before the lake is renovated this fall to eliminate common carp.
Southwest Iowa will be home to 14 new trumpeter swans on May 9 and 10 4/16/2019 2:53:00 PM View Count 2866 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will release 14 trumpeter swans at three locations in southwest Iowa as part of the effort to create a self-sustaining population of swans south of Interstate 80. All releases will occur rain or shine.
Fish hatcheries busy netting walleye 4/9/2019 12:05:00 PM View Count 3335 Moravia – The late night, annual walleye collection started April 6 at Rathbun Lake and April 7 at Storm Lake. Crews with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Bureau have been setting gillnets at night looking for walleyes ready to spawn.
Public meeting to discuss Viking Lake water level draw-down 3/19/2019 11:57:00 AM View Count 3280 Stanton – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a public meeting at 7 p.m., April 2, at the Viking Lake concession building, to discuss plans to lower the water level at Viking Lake, in Montgomery County to improve the fish population in the lake.
DNR postpones Fort Madison and Muscatine trout stocking 3/19/2019 11:49:00 AM View Count 2666 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is postponing trout stockings scheduled for Friday, March 22 at Wilson Lake in Fort Madison, and at the Discovery Park Pond in Muscatine, due to heavy ice cover preventing fisheries staff from stocking trout.
Runoff from manure application reaches Storm Lake 3/15/2019 3:09:00 PM View Count 2220 STORM LAKE - Wednesday afternoon, a complaint sent Iowa DNR staff to investigate a claim that manure runoff was reaching Storm Lake.
Fishing regulations to be relaxed at West Lake Park in Scott County 3/12/2019 12:56:00 PM View Count 6238 Davenport – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will relax the fishing regulations at Lake of the Hills, Railroad Lake, Lambach Lake and Bluegrass Lake at West Lake Park starting April 1st to allow anglers to more freely harvest fish before the lakes’ water levels are lowered this summer.
Iowa Great Lakes curlyleaf pondweed management plans for 2019 3/5/2019 12:48:00 PM View Count 3022 Spirit Lake - Invasive curlyleaf pondweed has become a common site in the spring on portions of the Iowa Great Lakes in recent years. The 2019 plan for managing this plant will be similar to 2018, but treat more acres.
Harsh winter conditions being felt on some Iowa lakes 2/26/2019 11:43:00 AM View Count 4804 Spirit Lake - As more snow and bitter temperatures dominate the forecast across Iowa, the mild start of winter is a distant memory. More than two feet of snow sits on many lakes and ponds across northern Iowa with 20-24 inches of ice below all that snow. Heavy snow on top of ice blocks sunlight from reaching aquatic plants and stops them from producing oxygen. This combination can create low oxygen conditions that may lead to fish kills.