License Applications

Resident License Application Form
Information required to prove eligibility of Iowa Residency. (for former nonresidents)

Aquaculture Units
A holder of an aquaculture unit license may possess, propagate, buy, sell, deal in, and transport the aquatic organisms produced from breeding stock legally acquired, including minnows. Also, a license holder may be an owner or operator of a pond where guests or customers are allowed to fish for a fee, or allowed to take fish without regard to angling licenses, seasons, gear restrictions, or bag limits.
- Application for Aquaculture Unit License(Form #542-0134)
- Application for Aquaculture Unit License(Form #542-0134)
- Aquaculture Annual Report (Form #542-0136)
- Aquaculture Annual Report (Form #542-0136)

Bait Dealers - Retail
A licensed person who sells minnows, frogs, crayfish, salamanders, and mussels retail for fish bait.
- Retail Bait Dealer License - Purchase your license online
- Retail Bait Dealer License - Bait Regulations

Bait Dealers - Wholesale
A licensed person who resells minnows, frogs, crayfish, salamanders, and mussels wholesale for further distribution to retail customers.
- Wholesale Bait Dealer License Application (Form #542-8098)
- Wholesale Bait Dealer License Application (Form #542-8098)

Commercial Fisher License
A person may take fish for commercial purposes from the water of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.
- Commercial Fish & Turtle Code (Form #542-1353)
- Commercial Fish & Turtle Code (Form #542-1353)
- Commercial Fisher License Application (Form #542-0255)
- Commercial Fisher License Application (Form #542-0255)
- Commercial Fisher License Report Form (Form #542-1372)
- Commercial Fisher License Report Form (Form #542-1372)
- Commercial Roe Harvester and/or Roe Buyer Application (Form #542-0251)
- Commercial Roe Harvester and/or Roe Buyer Application (Form #542-0251)
- Commercial Roe Harvester Report Form (Form #542-1374)
- Commercial Roe Harvester Report Form (Form #542-1374)
- Commercial Roe Buyer Report Form (Form #542-1385)
- Commercial Roe Buyer Report Form (Form #542-1385)
- Commercial Fisher and Turtle Helper Application (Form #542-0250)
- Commercial Fisher and Turtle Helper Application (Form #542-0250)

Commercial Turtle License
A commercial turtle license is required to take, possess, or sell more than 100 pounds of live or 50 pounds of dressed turtles. The holder of a commercial turtle license may sell live or dressed turtles. It shall be unlawful for any non-resident to take turtles in Iowa by any method except from the Mississippi, Missouri, and Big Sioux rivers.
- Commercial Fish & Turtle Code (Form #542-1353)
- Commercial Fish & Turtle Code (Form #542-1353)
- Commercial Turtle Harvester Application (Form #542-0253)
- Commercial Turtle Harvester Application (Form #542-0253)
- Commercial Turtle Harvester Report Form (Form #542-1371)
- Commercial Turtle Harvester Report Form (Form #542-1371)
- Commercial Turtle Buyer Application (Form #542-0256)
- Commercial Turtle Buyer Application (Form #542-0256)
- Commercial Turtle Buyer Report Form (Form #542-1373)
- Commercial Turtle Buyer Report Form (Form #542-1373)
- Commercial Turtle and Fisher Helper Application (Form #542-0250)
- Commercial Turtle and Fisher Helper Application (Form #542-0250)

Fish Importation Permit
A Fish Importation Permit is required to receive, propagate, or sell in the state any aquaculture species not listed in subrule 89.1(1) (Approved Aquaculture Species). In addition, aquaculture units shall not import live fish, viable eggs, or semen from any species of the salmonids family (trout, salmon, or char) and ictalurid family (catfishes and bullheads), unless the owner or operator possesses a fish importation permit.
For more information, visit Chapter 89: Approved Aquaculture Species (off-site)
- Fish Importation Permit Application
- Fish Importation Permit Application

Applications for Veterans, Disabled Iowans, and Senior Citizens

Information on how to apply for hunting and fishing licenses for Iowa's veterans, disabled citizens, and seniors over age 65. For further information, please contact the DNR Customer Service Center at (515) 281-5918.

Motor Vehicle Use Permit for Nonambulatory Persons Application (Form #542-8057)
A permit which allows for the use of a motor vehicle on game management areas or state parks for persons who are certified by a physician as having a disability which makes it impossible to ambulate without the use of a motor vehicle.

Group Home Annual Fishing Permit Application (Form #542-8058)
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)

Free Annual Hunting and Fishing License Application (Form #542-8056)
Important Notice: Based on recent administrative rule updates, the applicant qualifications for this special license have changed. In addition, the processing guidelines for this license application have also changed. Please take time to review the new application in its entirety to determine if you now qualify for this license. If so, please complete the application and mail all appropriate documentation to a DNR field location specified in the application. (Iowa residents and facilities only)
** This Free Annual Hunting and Fishing License replaces the previous Special Annual Resident Hunting and Fishing License Application.

Veteran Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License Application (Form #542-1412)
A lifetime hunting and fishing license for veterans who have a service connected disability or were POW's.
(Iowa residents only)

Free Annual Resident Disabled Fishing License (Form #542-1456)
Important Notice: Based on recent administrative rule updates, the applicant qualifications for this special license have changed. In addition, the processing guidelines for this license application have also changed. Please take time to review the new application in its entirety to determine if you now qualify for this license. If so, please complete the application and mail all appropriate documentation to a DNR field location specified in the application. (Iowa residents and facilities only)
** This Annual Resident Disabled Fishing license replaces the previous Special Resident Lifetime Fishing license.