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DNR News Releases

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Iowa DNR & Ducks Unlimited to host an open house on the Spring Run Lily & Pleasant Lake Enhancements Project

• 9/18/2024 7:31:00 AM
• View Count 4989

SPIRIT LAKE - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Ducks Unlimited will host an open house on Sept. 24th, from 3:30-5:30 p.m., at the Maser Monarch Lodge, 22785 Nature Center Road, Okoboji, to discuss the Lily and Pleasant Lake Enhancement Project and 2024 fall construction.

Walleye season opens May 4 on Iowa’s Great Lakes

• 4/23/2024 12:10:00 PM
• View Count 2382

The 148th walleye fishing season officially opens May 4 at Spirit Lake, East and West Okoboji lakes.

Walleye season closes Feb. 15 on Iowa Great Lakes

• 2/6/2024 11:59:00 AM
• View Count 3730

SPIRIT LAKE – The walleye fishing season on Spirit, East and West Okoboji lakes is open through Feb. 14. It will close after that date and reopens on May 4. These are the only Iowa lakes that have a closed season for walleye.

DNR looking for gray fox as part of a research project

• 10/31/2023 11:36:00 AM
• View Count 7032

The Iowa DNR is asking trappers for help with a study on Iowa’s gray fox population.

Help prevent the spread of invasive aquatic plants around West Okoboji Lake

• 8/16/2023 7:23:00 AM
• View Count 2878

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking for help to prevent the spread of Eurasian watermilfoil and brittle naiad around West Okoboji Lake.

Invasive aquatic plants confirmed at West Okoboji Lake

• 8/9/2023 7:28:00 AM
• View Count 4006

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently discovered Eurasian watermilfoil growing throughout the canals near Miller’s Bay and The Harbor canals on West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County. Brittle naiad was also found in the Triboji lagoon. No Eurasian watermilfoil or brittle naiad was found in the main lake of West Okoboji or the other lakes in the Iowa Great Lakes chain.

Lake Keomah State Park restoration being planned

• 7/25/2023 11:48:00 AM
• View Count 3602

OSKALOOSA – Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and other project partners are planning a lake restoration project at Lake Keomah State Park to improve water quality and recreational opportunities.

21-year-old man drowned Saturday on West Okoboji Lake

• 5/23/2023 1:23:00 PM
• View Count 7340

The Iowa Department to Natural Resources (DNR) is investigating a drowning Saturday afternoon on West Okoboji Lake, after Alexander Glover, 21, of Cedar Rapids, jumped off a pontoon and into the water in Miller's Bay.

Walleye season opens May 6 on Iowa’s Great Lakes

• 4/18/2023 4:20:00 PM
• View Count 4074

The 147th walleye fishing season officially opens May 6 at Spirit Lake, East and West Okoboji lakes.

Oxbow restoration project returns unique ecosystem to Cedar Rock Wildlife Area

• 2/13/2023 9:45:00 AM
• View Count 6213

Staff with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Cedar Wapsi Wildlife Unit were working to install wetlands on the Cedar Rock Wildlife Area when the opportunity to restore an oxbow on the Wapsipinicon River came along.

Walleye season closes Feb. 15 on Iowa Great Lakes

• 2/7/2023 8:22:00 PM
• View Count 6464

SPIRIT LAKE – The walleye fishing season on Spirit, East and West Okoboji lakes is open through Feb. 14. 

Black Hawk Lake restoration efforts receive national recognition

• 12/6/2022 8:56:00 PM
• View Count 5532

DES MOINES – Project partners behind a major restoration effort to improve water quality in Black Hawk Lake, located in Sac County, received national recognition for their achievements.

Gray fox research project

• 10/25/2022 11:44:00 AM
• View Count 6015

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking trappers for help with a new pilot study on Iowa’s gray fox population.

Water level to drop at West Swan Lake ahead of restoration

• 9/6/2022 1:02:00 PM
• View Count 3389

GRUVER - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will start lowering the water level at West Swan Lake, near Gruver in Emmet County as part of a restoration project to improve its water quality, eliminate a rough fish population and provide quality habitat for fish and wildlife.

Water level to be lowered this fall at Virgin Lake to help eliminate carp

• 8/29/2022 9:34:00 AM
• View Count 3142

Virgin Lake, near Ruthven in Palo Alto county, will undergo a water level management project to improve its water quality and provide quality habitat for fish and wildlife.

Popular central Iowa paddling destination closed

• 5/10/2022 1:52:00 PM
• View Count 2541

This week’s warm weather is perfect for paddlers to get out on rivers. Water recreationists should be aware of bridge construction projects across Iowa.

Walleye season opens May 7 on Iowa’s Great Lakes

• 4/19/2022 11:48:00 AM
• View Count 2021

The 146th walleye fishing season officially opens May 7 at Spirit Lake, East and West Okoboji lakes.

Shoreline stabilization project underway at Silver Lake

• 3/24/2022 1:42:00 PM
• View Count 1988

LAKE PARK, Iowa - Work is underway on a shoreline stabilization project on the northwest section of Silver Lake, in Dickinson County, that is part of a water quality improvement project for the 1,032-acre natural lake. Due to the nature of the project, the contractor has temporarily closed the northwest access road.

Walleye season closes Feb. 15 on Iowa Great Lakes

• 2/8/2022 1:23:00 PM
• View Count 1945

SPIRIT LAKE – The walleye fishing season on Spirit, East and West Okoboji lakes is open through Feb. 14.  It will close after that date and reopens on May 7. These are the only Iowa lakes that have a closed season for walleye.

DNR urges caution on the ice after snowmobile, ATV go through on the Okobojis

• 1/14/2022 3:45:00 PM
• View Count 1721

SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is encouraging ice anglers and snowmobilers to use caution when going out on the ice after a snowmobile and an ATV broke through the ice on West Okoboji Lake and East Okoboji Lake Thursday night.

Boaters urged to use caution to avoid scour holes when loading and unloading

• 8/19/2021 1:28:00 PM
• View Count 2402

SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa - Iowa’s drought is impacting boaters on some of Iowa’s premier natural lakes.

Wetlands and prairies play important role in protecting West Okoboji Lake

• 7/28/2021 11:38:00 AM
• View Count 2564

Milford, Iowa - Garlock Slough Wetland Complex, on the southwest side of West Okoboji Lake, is a 900-acre mix of native remnant prairie, restored prairie, natural marsh and reconstructed wetlands protecting Iowa’s most valuable lake.

DNR to hold open house to discuss Trumbull Lake improvement project

• 5/25/2021 8:46:00 AM
• View Count 2579

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting an open house on May 27, to discuss the upcoming water level management project at Trumbull Lake. The open house is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m., and will be held at the Lost Island Nature Center, near Ruthven.

Walleye season opens May 1 on Iowa’s Great Lakes

• 4/20/2021 3:24:00 PM
• View Count 2914

The 145th walleye fishing season officially opens May 1 at Spirit Lake, East and West Okoboji lakes.

Geode State Park restoration project starts next phase

• 3/30/2021 12:44:00 PM
• View Count 2151

DANVILLE – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) closed the gate valve on the Lake Geode Dam on March 29.

Walleye season closes Feb. 14 on Iowa Great Lakes

• 2/10/2021 6:52:00 AM
• View Count 2042

SPIRIT LAKE – The walleye fishing season on Spirit, East and West Okoboji lakes is open through Feb. 14. It will close after that date and reopens on May 1. These are the only Iowa lakes that have a closed season for walleye.

DNR to present plans to address derecho timber damage at Dec. 10 virtual meeting

• 11/30/2020 10:44:00 AM
• View Count 2570

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hosting a public meeting at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 10, to discuss a timber salvage project at three public wildlife areas in east central Iowa. The areas were all damaged by the derecho in August.

Trumpeter swan study following young for first year of life

• 10/20/2020 12:56:00 PM
• View Count 4933

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking Iowans to help with a research project designed to learn more about trumpeter swan survival during the cygnets’ first year of life that will help to better manage and conserve this species.

DNR makes arrest in boating hit and run on West Lake Okoboji

• 8/7/2020 2:04:00 PM
• View Count 3309

WEST LAKE OKOBOJI, Iowa – On Thursday August 6, 2020, DNR Conservation Officers located a damaged boat consistent with damage to the hit and run incident, which seriously injured Vaughn Wickham of Spirit Lake, Iowa on August 4, 2020.

Simply put, Cayler Prairie has it all

• 7/21/2020 12:34:00 PM
• View Count 4732

Standing on a vista overlooking the expansive Cayler Prairie, it’s easy to imagine bison - the icon of the open prairie - at home on this historic area. 

Nutrient Reduction Strategy Annual Report Shows Record Conservation Engagement by Iowans

• 7/2/2020 3:40:00 PM
• View Count 3252

DES MOINES, Iowa (July 1, 2020) – The 2018-2019 Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (INRS) annual report was released today by Iowa State University, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The findings reveal increased farmer, landowner and community engagement, use of conservation practices, and funding invested in soil health and water quality projects.

Iowa DNR and local partners to manage the invasive curlyleaf pondweed at Iowa Great Lakes

• 3/31/2020 12:42:00 PM
• View Count 2915

Spirit Lake, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), working with the East Okoboji Lakes Improvement Corporation (EOLIC), will start the first phase of the curlyleaf pondweed management strategy for the Iowa Great Lakes in April.

Outdoor education workshops scheduled this spring - CANCELLED due to COVID-19 precautions

• 3/3/2020 11:59:00 AM
• View Count 2778

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is sponsoring workshops for K–12 and early childhood educators on Iowa’s outdoors this spring. 

Iowa DNR, Imagine Iowa Great Lakes launch seawall repair project

• 9/24/2019 12:55:00 PM
• View Count 3002

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.

Walleye season opens May 4 on Iowa’s Great Lakes

• 4/23/2019 3:09:00 PM
• View Count 6953

The 143rd walleye fishing season officially opens May 4 at Spirit Lake, East and West Okoboji lakes.

Notice to Bidders - Iowa Department of Natural Resources

• 1/31/2019 10:33:00 AM
• View Count 4337

Sealed bids will be received by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Engineering Bureau, at the Wallace State Office Building, 502 East 9th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0034 until 11:00 A.M., February 21, 2019 for the public improvement projects listed below, at which time they will be opened publicly

Walleye season closes Feb. 14 on Iowa Great Lakes

• 1/29/2019 2:29:00 PM
• View Count 3148

SPIRIT LAKE – The walleye fishing season on Spirit, East and West Okoboji lakes is open through Feb. 14, 2019.  It will close after that date and reopen on May 4, 2019. These are the only Iowa lakes that have a closed season for walleye.

DNR providing extra enforcement over 2019 Winter Games in Okoboji

• 1/24/2019 8:31:00 AM
• View Count 3432

OKOBOJI, Iowa - DNR conservation officers will be partnering with the Iowa State Patrol and the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office on a special enforcement project over the Winter Games at Okoboji this weekend.

Watershed project contracts on July 17 Environmental Protection Commission agenda

• 7/12/2018 1:30:00 PM
• View Count 2996

DES MOINES - Two contracts to reduce bacteria and nutrient loads in streams are up for commissioners’ approval at the July 17 Environmental Protection Commission meeting.

Rainfall, high lake water levels causing lakeshore to collapse into Iowa’s Great Lakes

• 6/26/2018 11:54:00 AM
• View Count 10162

LAKE OKOBOJI -- Due to the tremendous amounts of rainfall that have inundated Dickinson County, the Iowa Great Lakes and surrounding lakes are experiencing rising lake levels. With these rising lake levels, property owners are reporting erosion damage to shorelines.

Late ice delays curlyleaf pondweed growth in Iowa Great Lakes

• 5/22/2018 11:43:00 AM
• View Count 3697

SPIRIT LAKE - The record breaking late ice on the Iowa Great Lakes delayed curlyleaf pondweed growth in the Iowa Great Lakes, but it will top out in portions of East Okoboji Lake and other lakes this week.

Walleye season opens May 5 on Iowa’s Great Lakes

• 4/24/2018 12:20:00 PM
• View Count 10327

The 142th walleye fishing season officially opens May 5 at Spirit Lake, East and West Okoboji lakes.

Walleye season closes Feb. 14 on Iowa Great Lakes

• 1/30/2018 1:57:00 PM
• View Count 4254

SPIRIT LAKE – The walleye fishing season on Spirit, East and West Okoboji lakes is open through Feb. 14, 2018.  It will be closed after that date and reopens again on May 5, 2018. These are the only Iowa lakes that have a closed season for walleye.

Public meeting to discuss Iowa Great Lakes curlyleaf pondweed management plans

• 9/19/2017 2:30:00 PM
• View Count 4702

SPIRIT LAKE - Recommendations to manage the invasive curlyleaf pondweed at East Okoboji Lake and Lower Gar Lake will be presented at a public meeting at 6:30 p.m., Sept. 28, at the Sami Bedell Center for the Performing Arts on the Spirit Lake High School campus.

Gizzard Shad found in Iowa Great Lakes

• 8/29/2017 1:05:00 PM
• View Count 5521

SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) discovered 26, 3- to 5-inch gizzard shad, in East Okoboji Lake on August 11 as part of routine sampling.

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