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DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: kayakReturn

Improve your paddling skills with DNR canoe and kayak schools

• 4/2/2024 11:49:00 AM
• View Count 2790

DES MOINES —Naturalists, youth group leaders and others who take people out on the water in canoes and kayaks are encouraged to attend one of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) paddling schools.

Eager paddlers encouraged to wait for warmer water

• 2/20/2024 12:26:00 PM
• View Count 3587

The weather is starting to feel like spring, but water temperatures are still dangerously cold.

Improve your paddling skills with DNR canoe and kayak schools

• 5/16/2023 1:54:00 PM
• View Count 2468

DES MOINES —Naturalists, youth group leaders and others who bring people out on the water in canoes or kayaks and want to learn how to teach others about paddling efficiently and safely are encouraged to attend one of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) paddling schools scheduled June through September.

Paddle your way to prizes!

• 5/15/2023 3:48:00 PM
• View Count 2653

The Hook n’ Paddle Passport, launched last summer, has been refreshed and is ready for a second year of fun.

Stay safe paddling this spring

• 4/18/2023 4:17:00 PM
• View Count 2632

Early spring paddling can provide solitude, exercise and an opportunity to see amazing wildlife, but extra precautions are needed to stay safe.

Improve your paddling skills with canoe and kayak schools

• 5/10/2022 1:57:00 PM
• View Count 1808

DES MOINES —Naturalists, youth group leaders and others who bring people out on the water in canoes or kayaks and want to learn how to teach others about paddling efficiently and safely are encouraged to attend one of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) paddling schools scheduled June through September.

Fish Iowa! offers webinar on kayak fishing basics

• 4/26/2022 1:44:00 PM
• View Count 1484

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a free kayak fishing basics webinar on May 16, from 7 - 8 p.m., via Zoom, for those who have little or no experience and want to learn more about how to get started.

2022 Iowa Outdoors Spring Fishing Forecast

• 4/14/2022 3:16:00 PM
• View Count 6931

Anglers have become accustomed to some of the greatest fishing in state history, this year let’s explore newer upgrades across our waters. So get busy exploring and wet a line. Fun awaits!

Eager paddlers need to take extra precautions to stay safe

• 4/12/2022 3:37:00 PM
• View Count 1863

With recent warmer temperatures, restless paddlers are ready to put canoes and kayaks in the water. Early spring paddling can provide solitude, exercise and an opportunity to see amazing wildlife, but extra precautions are needed to stay safe.

Juvenile pulled from Lake Darling after kayak takes on water

• 3/23/2021 1:26:00 PM
• View Count 4262

A 17-year-old from Marion was pulled from Lake Darling Friday afternoon after the kayak he was paddling sank from a crack in its hull.

Iowa Outdoors Expo goes virtual

• 8/25/2020 1:36:00 PM
• View Count 2640

The Iowa Outdoor Expo has gone virtual this year, and extended the opportunity to learn about the outdoors for the entire month of September.

Best Iowa State Parks for hiking, adventuring and more

• 8/20/2020 3:59:00 PM
• View Count 13787

Are you looking for fun ways to spend time active outdoors? Here are some of our top picks for things to do in Iowa's state parks:

Stay safe and “distance” to start this paddling season

• 4/7/2020 12:38:00 PM
• View Count 4055

With recent warm temperatures, restless paddlers are ready to put canoes and kayaks in the water. Early spring paddling can provide solitude, exercise and an opportunity to see amazing wildlife, but extra precautions are needed to stay safe.

Body of missing kayaker, hunter recovered

• 10/20/2019 4:20:00 PM
• View Count 2843

HARRISON COUNTY, Iowa – On Saturday, October 19, at approximately 9:13am, divers with the Midwest Regional Dive Team recovered the body of a Nebraska kayaker and hunter that was missing since Friday evening.

Large group of paddlers fined for no life jackets on board their kayaks

• 7/17/2019 1:20:00 PM
• View Count 3774

Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officers cited dozens of paddlers on July 6 for no life jackets on board their kayaks.

Hunter, dog rescued after kayak capsized

• 10/25/2018 8:21:00 AM
• View Count 3347

JACKSON COUNTY, Iowa – On October 20, around 9:00 a.m., the Sabula Fire and Rescue were dispatched to Browns Lake near Green Island Wildlife Management Area for a hunter in the water holding onto a capsized kayak.

Badger Lake offers an easy nature stop off I-29

• 9/11/2018 1:13:00 PM
• View Count 5341

Whiting, Iowa - Sitting not quite halfway between Sioux City and Council Bluffs with I-29 going right through it, it’s easy to think that Badger Lake Wildlife Area would be overrun with bird watchers, duck hunters, kayakers and nature lovers 24/7/365. While it does get busy when the duck migration is on, many days the only visitor is a wayward cormorant or a neighbor stopping by to wet a line.

Florida woman drowns in Upper Iowa River near Decorah

• 7/24/2018 8:11:00 AM
• View Count 3769

DECORAH, Iowa – Emergency personnel responded to a report of a drowning on July 22 around 2:45 p.m. on the Upper Iowa River, northwest of Decorah.

Paddlers urged to stay off rain swollen rivers

• 6/21/2018 2:58:00 PM
• View Count 10636

Iowa streams are swollen and swift with consistent rainfall the past several days. Some rivers are already dangerously high, and more rivers could rise fast with chances of rain forecast through next week.

Try these 5 water trails this spring and summer

• 5/29/2018 2:55:00 PM
• View Count 14996

If you’re looking to blaze a new trail through Iowa, consider hitting the water for something different. Iowa boasts a number of water trails, which offer a unique perspective on the state.

Paddlers warned to avoid bridge construction area on Raccoon River until debris has been removed

• 5/22/2018 11:42:00 AM
• View Count 4084

Booneville, Iowa - Bridge construction that began last year over the Raccoon River in Dallas County is creating a hazard for paddlers.

Stay safe this paddling season

• 4/17/2018 12:30:00 PM
• View Count 4550

Paddlers are itching to get out on the water after this year’s long and cold winter. Review these simple safety tips before you head out on the water for your first paddling trip this year.

Eager paddlers need to use extreme caution

• 4/3/2018 1:10:00 PM
• View Count 5300

After a long, cold winter and cool and wet spring so far, Iowa paddlers are ready to put an end to their “cabin fever”.  The fluctuation in air temperatures have made the warming of water temperatures a much slower process, and it take several weeks before rivers and lakes are at the ideal temperature for water recreation.

Volunteers muscle 28 tons of trash from the Upper Cedar River

• 7/25/2017 1:20:00 PM
• View Count 9570

CEDAR RIVER – The upper stretch of the Cedar River in north-central Iowa is now 28 tons of trash lighter, thanks to the efforts of 469 volunteers.

Oct. 6-8 Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop now accepting registrations

• 7/25/2017 1:17:00 PM
• View Count 5127

Registration is now open for the Oct. 6-8 Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop at Dolliver Memorial State Park, near Otho.

DNR advises caution for paddlers, boaters on Iowa’s rivers this weekend

• 6/28/2017 3:38:00 PM
• View Count 10745

DES MOINES — The approaching Fourth of July weekend usually sees thousands of paddlers hitting Iowa’s waters.  With heavy rains in the forecast, the DNR is advising paddlers and boaters to carefully watch water levels and increased traffic.

Project AWARE cleanup to tackle the Upper Cedar River

• 4/27/2017 12:52:00 PM
• View Count 6713

CHARLES CITY – Volunteers will have an opportunity this summer to spend their vacations cleaning up, learning about and exploring 60 miles of the upper Cedar River from the Iowa-Minnesota border to Nashua from July 10 to 14. 

Boaters Cautioned to Avoid Dredge Pipe on Des Moines River

• 9/13/2016 12:58:00 PM
• View Count 4109

Boaters using the Des Moines River below the wastewater treatment plant on the southeast side of Des Moines should be aware that due to lower flows coming out of Saylorville Reservoir, two dredge pipes running from a nearby rock quarry to Easter Lake are near the water’s surface.

How to Fish From a Kayak

• 8/13/2015 9:52:00 AM
• View Count 12284

Fishing from a kayak is great way to stay active and get up close with nature. There’s a unique angling challenge around each bend. Try these tips to get you started.

4 Before-You–Go Tips for Kayak Camping (and 7 Destinations)

• 7/29/2015 8:30:00 AM
• View Count 37125

Kayaking is a great way to explore the state and get some exercise, but if you intend to stay the night at a paddle-in only campsite, you have to pack thoughtfully. Check out the advice below, approved by DNR paddling expert and instructor Todd Robertson, to help you start camping comfortably with your kayak. And remember, always check water levels before you go.

7 Things To Do in Iowa's Outdoors This Week

• 6/26/2015 4:21:00 AM
• View Count 7294

If you’re looking for some new or different ideas to explore Iowa’s outdoors, we have a suggestion for each day of the holiday week:

6 Water Trails to Explore This Spring

• 4/30/2015 10:36:00 AM
• View Count 24003

If you’re looking to blaze a new trail this spring, consider hitting the water for something different. Iowa boasts a number of water trails, which offer a unique perspective on Iowa in spring.

Tips for Cold Weather Paddling in Iowa

• 11/18/2014 6:47:00 AM
• View Count 31088

Not even cold temperatures are enough to keep the hardiest kayakers and canoers inside. If you can find open water, use these tips for safe cold-weather paddling to enjoy a trip on the water any time of year.