There are 14 fisheries management stations in Iowa. Eleven of these have responsibilities that cover the lakes (both natural and manmade) and streams (of all sizes) within their management districts. Therefore, most management districts have a variety of fishery resource types within their respective districts. For instance, the Spirit Lake Management team is responsible for a number of large natural lakes, several small streams, and a number of small impoundments. Three stations have river responsibilities that deal totally with the pools of the Mississippi River.

Fisheries investigations provide a vast amount of knowledge that fishery management teams can use to improve the quality of Iowa's fishing resources. There are seven fisheries research stations in Iowa. Each has a particular field of investigation. Therefore a number of fisheries research topics may be addressed by multiple research teams within the boundaries of any given management district. The overlap of these topics of research exemplifies the diversity of Iowa's fishery resources.

Research is made possible through funding by the Sportfish Restoration Program. Money from this program has made possible the building and improvement of new and existing hatchery facilities, such as those at Rathbun and Decorah.

• Interior Streams
• Mississippi River
• Natural Lakes
• Constructed Lakes
• Large Reservoirs

• General Information
• Interior Stream Research
• Interior Stream Management

InteriorStreams
Fisheries Management biologists perform a number of tasks related to these streams:	Fisheries management teams also perform a number of other tasks in association with the work on these interior streams including:
Habitat improvements Fishery surveys Fish kill investigations Fishing tournament administration Regulation assessment Water quality monitoring	Outdoor classrooms Public information Fishing clinics

InteriorStreams
Fisheries Research biologists are currently evaluating a number of projects aimed at improving Iowa's stream resources:	These research topics are aimed at improving angling opportunity for Iowa anglers. This information can then be used by management biologists to make direct recommendations or changes to the systems being evaluated. Some examples of these projects are:
Fish Communities in Deep Water Habitats(pdf) Understanding Habitat Needs: The Key to Protecting and Enhancing River Gamefish Habitat(pdf) Iowa Rivers Information System (IRIS)(pdf) The Key to Lasting Improvements in River Fisheries(pdf)	Flathead Catfish in Iowa's Rivers(pdf) A Stocking Strategy for Success: Increasing River Walleye Populations(pdf)

Mississippi River

• General Information
• Mississippi River Long Term Monitoring Home Page
• Mississippi River Fishery Research
• Mississippi River Fishery Management

MississippiRiver
Fisheries Management Biologists perform a number of tasks related to the Mississippi River.	Fisheries management teams also perform a number of other tasks in association with their work on this large river system including:
Fishery surveys Regulation assessment Fishing tournament administration Regulatory organization participation	Outdoor classrooms Public information Fishing clinics

MississippiRiver
Fisheries Research staff are currently evaluating a number of projects aimed at improving Iowa's Mississippi River fishery resources.	These research topics are aimed at improving angling opportunity. The next step is for management biologists to make direct recommendations or changes to the systems being evaluated. Some examples of changes in the Mississippi River system brought about by this type of research project are:
Channel Catfish in the Upper Mississippi River(pdf) Walleye and Sauger in the Upper Mississippi River(pdf)	What's New With Mississippi River Largemouth Bass? Winter Habitat for Panfish(pdf)

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Natural Lakes

• General Information
• Natural Lakes Fishery Management Program
• Natural Lakes Research Program

NaturalLakes
Fisheries management staff perform a number of tasks related to natural lakes.	Fisheries management teams also perform a number of other tasks in association with the work on natural lakes including:
Habitat improvements Fishery surveys Fish kill investigations Fishing tournament administration Regulation assessment Water quality monitoring Lake Renovation	Outdoor classrooms Public information Fishing clinics

NaturalLakes
Fishery research staff are currently evaluating a number of projects aimed at improving Iowa's natural lake systems.	These research topics are aimed at improving angling opportunity. The next step is for management biologists to make direct recommendations or changes to the systems being evaluated. Some examples of changes in the management of the natural lakes systems brought about by this type of research are:
How Many Fish Can Spirit Lake Hold? Iowa Great Lakes Watershed Assessment(pdf) Just how many walleyes are these: How We Determine Numbers Movement of Common Carp in Clear Lake(pdf) Natural Lakes Walleye Regulations Optimal Stocking Strategies for Walleye in Iowa's Great Lakes(pdf) Populations of Common Carp and Black Bullhead in Clear Lake(pdf) Shallow Lake Renovation Based on Alternative Stable Trophic States(pdf) Trying to Determine the Best Stocking Strategy for Iowa Musky	Getting The Most Bang For Our Buck From Iowa Great Lakes Walleye Stocking Musky in Iowa's Natural Lakes(pdf) Special Regulations for Managing Walleyes in Iowa's Natural Lakes(pdf) To Harvest Or Not To Harvest: That Is The Question!

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Constructed Lakes

• General Information
• Constructed Lakes Fishery Management Program
• Constructed Lakes Fishery Research Program

ConstructedLakes
Fisheries management staff perform a number of tasks related to these constructed lakes.	In addition to these tasks, fisheries management teams also perform a number of other tasks in association with the work on these interior streams including:
Habitat improvements Fishery surveys Fish kill investigations Fishing tournament administration Regulation assessment Water quality monitoring Lake Renovation	Outdoor classrooms Public information Fishing clinics

ConstructedLakes
Fishery research staff are currently evaluating a number of projects aimed at improving Iowa's constructed lakes resources.	These research topics are aimed at improving angling opportunity. The next step is for management biologists to make direct recommendations or changes to the systems being evaluated. Some examples of changes in the management of constructed lakes brought about by this type of research are:
Aquatic Vegetation Benefits Fish and Fishing(pdf) Carp Are Bad News To Other Fish! Factors that Influence Good Bluegill Populations(pdf) Our Work - Investment or Cost(pdf) Watershed Model - Predictor of Water Quality?(pdf)	Bluegills, Lakes, and Watersheds Walleye on the Fast Track(pdf)

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Large Reservoirs

• General Information
• Large Reservoir Management
• Large Reservoir Research

LargeReservoir
Fisheries management staff perform a number of tasks related to these large reservoir systems.	In addition to these tasks, fisheries management teams also perform a number of other tasks in association with the work on these interior streams including:
Habitat improvements Fishery surveys Fish kill investigations Fishing tournament administration Regulation assessment Water quality monitoring	Outdoor classrooms Public information Fishing clinics

LargeReservoir
Fishery research staff are currently evaluating a number of projects aimed at improving Iowa's large reservoir resources.	These research topics are aimed at improving angling opportunity in these resources.
Stream Fisheries Assessments above Rathbun Lake(pdf) The Key to Quality of Water and Recreation(pdf)	In Rathbun We Want Walleye And We Want "Lots Of Em'" In Rathbun We Want Crappie And We Want "Lots Of Em'"