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DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: lakesReturn

Fall community trout stocking starts October 18

• 10/1/2024 12:52:00 PM
• View Count 8332

Eighteen lakes across Iowa are gearing up to receive trout this fall. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will release between 1,000 to 2,000 rainbow trout at each location as part of its cool weather trout program that brings trout to areas that cannot support them during the summer months.

Walleye netting season starts for Iowa DNR fish hatcheries

• 4/9/2024 12:39:00 PM
• View Count 2250

MORAVIA – The late night, annual walleye collection has begun at Clear Lake, Rathbun Reservoir, Storm Lake and the Iowa Great Lakes.

Fall community trout stocking starts October 21

• 10/17/2023 11:44:00 AM
• View Count 9564

Eighteen lakes across Iowa are gearing up to receive trout this fall. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will release between 1,000 to 2,000 rainbow trout at each location as part of its cool weather trout program that brings trout to areas that cannot support them during the summer months.

Cedar Valley Lakes Trail Reopening Ribbon Cutting Event

• 9/19/2023 1:47:00 PM
• View Count 3166

WATERLOO - On Wednesday, Sept. 20, the Cedar Valley Trails Partnership and the Iowa DNR will host a celebration and ribbon cutting for the newly paved section of the Cedar Valley Lakes Trail from Krieg's Crossing to the George Wyth State Park Lodge

Walleye netting season starts for Iowa DNR fish hatcheries

• 4/11/2023 2:23:00 PM
• View Count 3355

MORAVIA – The late night, annual walleye collection has begun at Clear Lake, Rathbun Reservoir, and Storm Lake with collection efforts soon to follow at the Iowa Great Lakes.  

Spring community trout stocking starts March 23

• 3/7/2023 12:16:00 PM
• View Count 6209

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources fisheries staff will release between 1,000 and 2,000 rainbow trout in 13 lakes across Iowa in March and April as part of its cool weather trout program.

Aggressive treatment planned for Eurasian watermilfoil found in the Iowa Great Lakes

• 9/13/2022 12:22:00 PM
• View Count 4393

SPIRIT LAKE - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will start treating East Okoboji, Upper Gar, Lake Minnewashta, and Lower Gar this week with the approved aquatic herbicide, Sonar A.S. to eliminate Eurasian watermoilfoil.

Chain O Lakes Wildlife Area recovering two years after derecho

• 8/23/2022 11:50:00 AM
• View Count 3547

The lingering effects of the historic 2020 derecho that cut a destructive path through Iowa can be seen at the Chain O Lakes Wildlife Area in northern Linn County.

Iowa DNR will treat Iowa Great Lakes for invasive Eurasian watermilfoil

• 8/9/2022 2:18:00 PM
• View Count 4263

SPIRIT LAKE - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil is growing at multiple locations in East Okoboji Lake, Upper Gar Lake, Lake Minnewashta, and Lower Gar Lake in Dickinson County.

Iowa DNR to begin annual spring burning

• 3/21/2022 11:23:00 AM
• View Count 1827

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be conducting prescribed burns this spring on wildlife management areas managed by the Iowa DNR’s Prairie Lakes Wildlife Unit in Clay, Palo Alto, Emmet, Kossuth, Humboldt and Buena Vista counties.

Iowa DNR annual spring prescribed fire season begins soon in the Iowa Great Lakes region

• 3/14/2022 2:10:00 PM
• View Count 1756

As the ice finally melts in the Iowa Great Lakes and spring quickly approaches, so does one of the most important and cost-effective management tools for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Snowmobilers encouraged to use safe operating practices when riding on the Iowa Great Lakes

• 2/3/2022 3:49:00 PM
• View Count 1644

SPIRIT LAKE - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding snowmobilers operating on the Iowa Great Lakes to use caution as ice conditions change throughout the winter.

Iowa Great Lakes, Storm Lake and Clear Lake walleye length limit changes effective January 1, 2022

• 11/2/2021 12:32:00 PM
• View Count 13428

Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is changing the protected walleye slot limit to 19 to 25 inches at Big Spirit Lake, East and West Okoboji Lakes, Upper Gar Lake, Minnewashta Lake, Lower Gar Lake and Storm Lake. At Clear Lake, there will be a 17 to 22 inches protected slot limit.

Walleye season opens May 1 on Iowa’s Great Lakes

• 4/20/2021 3:24:00 PM
• View Count 2850

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

Walleye season closes Feb. 14 on Iowa Great Lakes

• 2/10/2021 6:52:00 AM
• View Count 1998

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 2514

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.

Iowa fisheries biologist selected for Award of Merit

• 6/16/2020 1:32:00 PM
• View Count 2957

Iowa fisheries biologist Ben Wallace recently received the American Fisheries Society’s Fisheries Management Section Award of Merit for his efforts in community based watershed management and lake restoration projects.

Walleye season opens May 2 on Iowa’s Great Lakes

• 4/21/2020 12:41:00 PM
• View Count 5130

The 144th walleye fishing season officially opens May 2 at Spirit Lake, East and West Okoboji lakes.

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

• 3/31/2020 12:42:00 PM
• View Count 2864

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.

Walleye season closes Feb. 14 on Iowa Great Lakes

• 2/4/2020 12:30:00 PM
• View Count 2855

Spirit Lake, Iowa – 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 2. These are the only Iowa lakes that have a closed season for walleye.

Iowa DNR, Imagine Iowa Great Lakes launch seawall repair project

• 9/24/2019 12:55:00 PM
• View Count 2961

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.

Governor Reynolds proclaims July as Lakes Appreciation Month

• 7/23/2019 12:37:00 PM
• View Count 2635

Governor Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation declaring July as Lakes Appreciation Month.

Iowa DNR starts first phase to manage the invasive curlyleaf pondweed at Iowa Great Lakes

• 4/30/2019 11:45:00 AM
• View Count 3196

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.

Walleye season opens May 4 on Iowa’s Great Lakes

• 4/23/2019 3:09:00 PM
• View Count 6843

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

Iowa Great Lakes curlyleaf pondweed management plans for 2019

• 3/5/2019 12:48:00 PM
• View Count 3152

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.

Walleye season closes Feb. 14 on Iowa Great Lakes

• 1/29/2019 2:29:00 PM
• View Count 3103

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.

Hooking summer catfish

• 7/31/2018 1:45:00 PM
• View Count 3530

Fishing for catfish is a summer tradition for many Iowa families. Invite someone new to come along this year to share the fun and memories.

High water conditions continue on the Iowa Great Lakes

• 7/3/2018 11:49:00 AM
• View Count 14653

The U.S. Geological Survey gauging stations put the water levels on the Iowa Great Lakes at its highest since 1993. Although lake levels are far from 1993's record levels, there are concerns about shoreline erosion and property damage.

600-foot no-wake zone placed at Iowa Great Lakes, Silver Lake

• 6/26/2018 11:56:00 AM
• View Count 5017

The Emergency Management Commission in Dickinson County put into place a 600-foot no-wake zone along shore of East & West Lake Okoboji, Upper and Lower Gar, Minnewashta Lake, Silver Lake at Lake Park and Center Lake, effective immediately.

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

• 6/26/2018 11:54:00 AM
• View Count 10021

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 3627

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.

1,750 archers compete at state archery tournament

• 3/13/2018 2:24:00 PM
• View Count 4606

1,750 archers from 86 Iowa schools participated in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) state tournament March 10-11, in Des Moines.

Walleye season closes Feb. 14 on Iowa Great Lakes

• 1/30/2018 1:57:00 PM
• View Count 4212

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 4650

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 5462

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.

Spring fishing in full swing across Iowa

• 5/16/2017 12:19:00 PM
• View Count 4195

Crappies and bluegills are biting in small ponds and lakes across Iowa. Spring panfish fishing is a great opportunity to introduce beginners of all ages to fishing. Catching panfish is easy and fun.

Help stop aquatic hitchhikers

• 5/16/2017 12:18:00 PM
• View Count 3922

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages all boaters and anglers to “Clean, Drain, and Dry” their boats and equipment this Memorial Day weekend to protect Iowa lakes and rivers from aquatic hitchhikers.

Walleye season opens May 6 on Iowa’s Great Lakes

• 4/25/2017 12:29:00 PM
• View Count 10278

The 141st walleye fishing season officially opens May 6 at Spirit Lake, East and West Okoboji lakes.

Public comment sought for impaired waters list

• 4/14/2017 3:06:00 PM
• View Count 4083

DES MOINES -- The DNR is seeking public comment on the newly released draft impaired waters list. Data released by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, today, shows 56 impairments will be removed from the 2014 impaired list, once approved by the EPA.

Walleye season closes Feb. 14 on Iowa Great Lakes

• 2/1/2017 8:48:00 AM
• View Count 3784

SPIRIT LAKE – The walleye fishing season on Spirit, East and West Okoboji lakes is open through February 14, 2017. After that date it will be closed and reopens again on May 6, 2017. These are the only Iowa lakes that have a closed season for walleye.

Ice safety reminder as Iowa lakes freeze over

• 12/20/2016 11:00:00 AM
• View Count 10041

The recent blast of arctic air is growing ice on lakes and ponds over much of Iowa and sending anglers out for the popular early ice fishing of the season.

Spring Fishing in Full Swing Across Iowa

• 5/17/2016 12:20:00 PM
• View Count 4352

Crappies and bluegills are biting in small ponds and lakes across Iowa. Spring panfish fishing is a great opportunity to introduce beginners of all ages to fishing.

Public Meeting To Discuss Twin Lakes Improvement Plan

• 5/4/2016 3:23:00 PM
• View Count 4302

MANSON - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Iowa State University and the Twin Lakes Restoration Association will host a public meeting at 6:30 p.m., May 19, at the Twin Lakes Bible Camp, to discuss plans for improving the water quality in North and South Twin lakes in Calhoun County.

Walleye Season Opens May 7 On Iowa's Great Lakes

• 5/3/2016 1:18:00 PM
• View Count 10331

The 140th walleye fishing season officially opens May 7 at Spirit Lake, East and West Okoboji lakes.

Iowa Great lakes Crews Net 25 Year Old Musky

• 5/3/2016 1:11:00 PM
• View Count 5958

Excitement and pride echoed through the Iowa Great Lakes fisheries netting crew last week. “It is amazing that this male musky is alive and doing well in West Okoboji Lake 25 years later,” said Joe Larscheid, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Fisheries Bureau.

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