All anglers 16 years and older must have a fishing license to fish Iowa waters. Anglers under the age of 16 may fish Iowa waters without a fishing license and may fish for and keep their own limit of fish, except when fishing for trout they must share their limit with a licensed adult or buy their own trout fee to keep their own limit of trout.
Yearly, seven-day, or 24-hour fishing licenses are available. Licenses are sold at several locations or online.
There are limits on the size and/or number of fish you can catch at one time for some species. Find out more about Iowa Fishing Regulations.
- Bring a basic first aid kit with sterile bandages, tape, antiseptic, band aids, aspirin, scissors, wire cutters, tweezers, analgesic cream, sunscreen, and insect repellant.
- A wide brim hat and sunglasses will keep the sun out of your child’s eyes and off his forehead. Avoid fishing in the middle of the day.
- Life jackets are strongly recommended for children fishing around deep or fast-moving water. Make sure the life jacket fits your child snugly and won’t ride up around their face.