Residents under sixteen (16) years of age can fish without a license but may need to purchase a trout fee. When is a Trout Fee Required?.

Nonresidents under sixteen (16) years of age can fish without a license but may need to purchase a trout fee. When is a Trout Fee Required?

You must pay a trout fee to legally fish for or possess trout if you are a resident or nonresident required to have a fishing license.

When fishing for trout from a private trout hatchery or a pay-to-fish facility you must have a receipt or other evidence showing that the trout were acquired lawfully.

If you are a resident or a non-resident under 16 years of age, you must pay a trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Or, you may fish for trout with a licensed adult who has paid the trout fee, in such a case you must limit your combined catch to the daily limit for one person.

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 may be fishing

Minor pupils of the State School for the Blind and State School for the Deaf can fish for free.

A free annual license is available to Iowa residents whose income falls below the federal poverty guidelines as published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and who are either 1) permanently disabled or 2) who are 65 years old or older.

• An annual application requires proof of age, income, and permanent disability.
• The form for this free annual license is available here

A free lifetime fishing license for persons who are certified by a physician as having a permanent severe physical or mental disability.

• The form for this special free lifetime fishing license is available here

Conservation officers can request to look at your catch at any time to check for compliance to regulations.

Free Fishing Days in 2009 for Iowa residents are June 5, 6, and 7.

• All fishing regulations must be obeyed

Minor inmates of other state institutions under the Department of Human Services, but not inmates in state penal institutions, are able to fish for free.

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.

Disabled veterans - $7.00, lifetime hunting and fishing combined license.

Prisoners of war - $7.00, lifetime hunting and fishing combined license (habitat fees must be purchased annually).

Veteran Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License Application
- Form 542-1412 (*.pdf file | *.doc file)
A lifetime hunting and fishing license for veterans who served during a time of conflict and have a service connected disability or were POW's. (Iowa residents only)

The veterans affairs division of the department of public defense will assist the DNR in verifying the status or claims of applicants.

• "Veteran" means a person who is a resident of Iowa and who is a veteran as defined by Iowa Code 35.1(2).
• "Disabled" means entitled to compensation under the United States Code, title 38, chapter 11 (service-connected).

Patients of substance abuse, health care, or juvenile health care facilities can fish for free:

• Only with a valid permit
• Must be supervised by a facility employee

The form required to apply for these special licenses can be found here