A licensed bait dealer is a person that sells minnows, frogs, crayfish, salamanders, and mussels for fish bait.

Licensed bait dealers include resident wholesale dealers and non-resident retail and wholesale dealers.

Listing of licensed bait dealers in Iowa (*.pdf file | *.xls file)

For a summary of more information regarding bait, see the Bait Regulations page, or download either of these files. (*.pdf file | *.doc file)

To apply for a wholesale bait dealers license, download and complete this file. (*.pdf file)


Where To Buy Fish

Iowa State University (ISU) performs a survey every few years to create a list of Iowa aquaculture facilities who provide fish to the public. The link below comes from the 2008 survey.

Iowa Aquaculture Producers and Species for Sale (*.pdf file)


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 (*.pdf file)

Application for Fish Importation Permit (*.pdf file | *.doc file)

Listing of licensed aquaculture units in Iowa (*.pdf file | *.xls file)


Aquaculture Regulations

Link to Code of Iowa regarding aquaculture.

Link to Iowa Administrative Rules regarding aquaculture.

Link to North Central Regional Aquaculture Center regulations page.


Aquaculture Links

Link to ISU Fisheries and Aquaculture Extension .

Link to ISU Extension Aquaculture Publications.

Link to North Central Regional Aquaculture Center.

Link to Aquaculture Network Information Center.

Link to USDA Aquaculture.