It’s easy to buy your fishing license. Go to our Go Outdoors Iowa online licensing system or visit one of 700 local retailers to buy your fishing license today.
100% of your license fees are invested back into local conservation, ensuring healthy fish and wildlife populations and public access to fishing opportunities in Iowa.
100% of your license fees are invested back into local conservation, ensuring healthy fish and wildlife populations, and public access to fishing opportunities in Iowa.
Fishing Licenses
Discover the different recreational fishing licenses in Iowa from the Iowa DNR.
List of recreational licenses and fees for Iowa resident fishing.
List of Recreational Licenses and Fees, Iowa Resident Fishing
Resident Fishing Licenses
Cost
Purchase Online
Online Delivery
Point of Sale (POS)
Resident Fishing
$22.00
Y
Y
Y
Angler's Special - 3 Year Fish
$62.00
Y
Y
Y
Bonus Line - 3rd Fish Line
$14.00
Y
Y
Y
Lifetime Fishing (65 years old & older)
$61.50
Y
Y
Y
Lifetime Trout Fee (65 years old & older)
$65.00
Y
Y
Y
Outdoor Combo - Hunting / Fishing / Habitat
$55.00
Y
Y
Y
Resident Trout Fish Fee
$14.50
Y
Y
Y
Resident 1-Day Fishing
$10.50
Y
Y
Y
Resident 7-Day Fishing
$15.50
Y
Y
Y
Resident Boundary Water Trotline
$26.00
Y
Y
Y
List of recreational licenses and fees for nonresident fishing.
List of recreational licenses and fees, nonresident fishing.
Nonresident Fishing Licenses
Cost
Purchase Online
Online Delivery
Point of Sale (POS)
Nonresident Fishing
$48.00
Y
Y
Y
Bonus Line - 3rd Fish Line
$14.00
Y
Y
Y
Nonresident Trout Fish Fee
$17.50
Y
Y
Y
Nonresident 1-Day Fishing
$12.00
Y
Y
Y
Nonresident 3-Day Fishing
$20.50
Y
Y
Y
Nonresident 3-Day Fishing
$37.50
Y
Y
Y
Nonresident Boundary Water Trotline
$49.50
Y
Y
Y
Information on how to apply for hunting and fishing licenses for Iowa's veterans, disabled citizens, and seniors over age 65. For more information, please contact the DNR Customer Service Center at 515-725-8200.
Solicitud de Permiso de Pesca Annual (Form #542-8058spl) A free annual permit for health care facilities and juvenile shelters which allows patients to fish as a supervised group without individual licenses. (Iowa residents and facilities only)
Solicitud Gratuita de Licencia Anual de Caza y Pesca Para Residentes (Form #542-8056spl) Iowa residents who are either a) permanently disabled AND the annual household income is below the federal poverty guidelines or b) age 65 or older AND the annual household income is below the federal poverty guidelines. Please see the application for the current federal poverty guidelines
Application for Iowa Annual Hunting/Fishing License For Resident Armed Forces Veteran (Form #542-1411) Residents of Iowa who have served in the armed forces of the United States on federal active duty are eligible. Must submit their DD214 (must show characterization such as Honorable or General, Under Honorable Conditions). Applicants will only need to submit the application one time. Once approved, the licenses will be available for purchase every year.
Application For Iowa Lifetime Trout For Resident Veterans (Form #542-0708) Residents of Iowa who either a) qualify for and have received the Disabled Veterans Homestead Credit or b) believe to qualify but have not applied for the Disabled Veteran Homestead Credit and can provide a copy of a current letter provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs which indicates they are entitled to a service connected disability with a rating of 100%, are eligible for a Lifetime Trout License at a cost of $65.00.
Motor Vehicle Use in Game Management Area, Park, Preserve
The DNR no longer requires a permit that allows for the use of a motor vehicle on game management areas, state parks or preserve. For persons who have a disability which makes it impossible to ambulate without the use of a motor vehicle, please work directly with DNR staff who are assigned to the game management area, state park or preserve. DNR staff will work with individuals to develop an access plan for each desired area. Individuals must keep the access plan with them when using the area.
Other Licenses and Products
Other Licenses and Products
Cost
Purchase Online
Online Delivery
Point of Sale (POS)
1 Year Iowa Outdoors Magazine
$15.00
Y
N
Y
2 Year Iowa Outdoors Magazine
$24.00
Y
N
Y
3 Year Iowa Outdoors Magazine
$30.00
Y
N
Y
Ginseng Harvest
$37.00
Y
Y
Y
Nonresident Ginseng Harvest
$67.00
Y
Y
Y
Nonresident Falconry
$28.00
Y
Y
Y
Resident Taxidermy
$20.00
Y
Y
Y
Deer Book
$12.00
Y
N
N
Retail Bait Dealer
$38.00
Y
Y
Y
Replacement / Duplicates
$4.50
Y
Y
Y
Fishing License Requirements
Be aware there are some requirements and nonrequirements for fishing licenses in Iowa. Some fishers may be waived from requirements, while others may need specific licenses. These include:
Residents Under 16 Years of Age Residents under sixteen (16) years of age can fish without a license, but may need to purchase a trout fee.
Nonresidents Under 16 Years of Age Nonresidents under sixteen (16) years of age can fish without a license, but may need to purchase a trout fee.
Licenses for the Deaf and Blind Minor pupils of the State School for the Blind and State School for the Deaf can fish without a license.
State Institution and County Care Residents Minor residents of other state institutions under the control of an administrator or a division of the department of human services and residents of county care facilities or a person who is receiving supplementary assistance under chapter 29 can fish without a license.
Military Personnel Military personnel on active duty with the armed forces of the United States, on authorized leave from a duty station located outside of this state, and a legal resident of this state, may hunt or fish without a license. You must carry your leave papers and a copy of a current earnings statement showing a tax deduction for Iowa income taxes while hunting or fishing.
Who can request to see my license?
You must show your license, certificate, permit and any required stamp upon request to:
Conservation or law enforcement officers
The owner or person in legal control of the land or water you are fishing
TIP Line
Turn In Poachers
Poachers are thieves who are stealing our fish and wildlife resources. Help us keep them out of business. If you see poaching, call 1-800-532-2020.
