Help us meet our goal of 100 fishing events on Free Fishing Weekend (June 5-7) . Together we can get more Iowans outside and on the water.
Our new Outdoor Events in Iowa Calendar makes it easy for anyone interested in fishing to find an event near them on Free Fishing Weekend or anytime of the year. Encourage families and beginner anglers in your community to attend a local fishing event to help them learn the skills they need to get hooked on fishing.
Make sure you add all the fishing events you are hosting to the Public Event Promotion Assistance Form. Your event will be added to the Outdoor Events in Iowa Calendar and you’ll receive "fish of the year" stickers (Bluegill this year) for participants and be entered into a drawing for prize packets to use at your event.
May 2026 Updates
List items for May 2026 ICCS Updates
Take It Outside State Park Camps offer 5-day adventures in Iowa’s great outdoors—explore, learn, and build outdoor skills. Help us spread the word! Visit the DNR Website for details and registration. Reach out to Anne.Riordan@dnr.iowa.gov to request a flyer to share.
Level 1 camps are for students entering 3rd-6th grade. These camps introduce young adventurers to outdoor basics and spark curiosity about nature. Enrollment is limited to 30 students per camp.
Please help us fill the camp locations listed below.
Level 2 camps help pre-teens and early teens deepen their outdoor experience through new challenges and advanced skills - perfect for campers with some know-how or those ready to try something new. These camps are for students entering 5th-8th grade. Enrollment is limited to 30 students per camp.
Please help us fill the camp location listed below.
Participants will learn paddling skills, how to identify hazard and river features, tips for teaching different learning styles, and risk management strategies. Instruction time will be one-third classroom and two-thirds on-water in both lake and river environments, solo and tandem.
The schedule for 2026 paddling schools is:
May 12-13, Canoe School
June 17-18, Kayak School
Aug. 5-6, Kayak School
Sept. 15-16, Canoe School
To register or for more information, go to www.iowadnr.gov/paddling-schools. Get your registration in quickly, these classes fill up fast.
The 2026 IHEA-USA Annual Meeting & Training is June 1–4, 2026. We’re excited to share that IHEA volunteer members can register for virtual attendance at no cost. This is open to all County Conservation staff who are certified hunter education instructors, as Iowa DNR maintains your access to IHEA-USA resources and training opportunities.
The Iowa DNR recently launched a statewide digital campaign promoting the Wild about Iowa Package to support conservation in Iowa. The package includes the habitat fee and a durable, commemorative hard card.
We are looking for a few county partners willing to pilot signage in their parks promoting the habitat fee to support conservation in the state. If you are interested in participating, contact Megan.Wisecup@dnr.iowa.gov for more information.
Resources for public fishing events are now available, including a marketing toolkit, promotional map, planning form, and giveaways.
Counties are encouraged to submit events for Free Fishing Weekend (June 5-7) and throughout the year. Submit events for a chance to win fishing equipment and supplies.
Participants will learn paddling skills, how to identify hazard and river features, tips for teaching different learning styles, and risk management strategies. Instruction time will be one-third classroom and two-thirds on-water in both lake and river environments, solo and tandem.
The schedule for 2026 paddling schools is:
May 12-13, Canoe School
June 17-18, Kayak School
Aug. 5-6, Kayak School
Sept. 15-16, Canoe School
To register or for more information, go to www.iowadnr.gov/paddling-schools. Get your registration in quickly, these classes fill up fast.
Prairie chicken sightings can be reported by calling 515-230-6599 or emailed to vwmp@dnr.iowa.gov. Numbers are down in Iowa and the DNR would like to keep tabs on any birds that may have been missed during previous surveys. Learn more on the DNR webpage.
Everyone is invited to contribute to firefly conservation by participating in the survey and sharing sightings. By taking part, it’s possible to help researchers collect valuable data. The Firefly Atlas website offers a wealth of educational resources and fascinating facts about these enchanting insects.
This workshop consists of summer long archery practices, fall workshops and hunting opportunities throughout Iowa’s archery season. All sessions are led by instructors that possess the experience to teach skills necessary to become efficient archers and bowhunters. The program is provided through a partnership with the Iowa Hunter Education Instructor Association, several local County Conservation Boards, various vendors, and the Iowa DNR.
The popular trout stream stocking season started on March 30. Announced trout stream stockings are scheduled through September.
Find a list of stocked trout streams on the printed DNR trout stream map or visit the DNR trout fishing webpage for more information. Check out the 2026 trout stocking calendar to plan your trout fishing adventure on the go!
March 2026 Updates
List items for March 2026 ICCS Updates
Recent system changes have made it more complex to create Hunter Education classes. Effective immediately, the Hunter Ed (OSS) team will assume primary responsibility for creating new classes. Your ability to add students and instructors and modify course details will remain unchanged. Use the link below to submit information for new courses.
Thank you for including the Iowa DNR and the Education and Outreach Team in Winterfest. Winterfest is a valuable opportunity for us to connect with County Conservation staff and offer workshops. We appreciate the partnership and the chance to participate.
New posters and rack cards promoting responsible boating are now available. Counties are encouraged to communicate to the public the importance of taking a boater education course and downloading the latest boating regulations, as we will be printing only a limited supply of the handbooks in the future. Contact Susan.Stocker@dnr.iowa.gov to request posters and rack cards.
Wildflower season is almost here! The Iowa DNR will begin its weekly woodland wildflower bloom reports the week of March 23. These reports encourage families to get outdoors, educate Iowans about native forest floor plants and their importance, and raise awareness of our woodlands' rich biodiversity.
Thank you to everyone who has helped us track blooming woodland wildflowers across Iowa in past seasons. To contribute this season, email Shannon.Hafner@dnr.iowa.gov. There is no weekly commitment—any report is appreciated.
The Iowa DNR, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service's Inflation Reduction Act, is facilitating Urban Forestry Development Grants to support community projects across Iowa. County Conservation Boards in eligible counties are encouraged to apply. Applications are due March 31, 2026.
The next round of grant applications will be available June 2026.
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the Northern States Caucus are offering two $1,000 scholarships to outstanding students pursuing studies in conservation, recreation, and related fields. Visit http://www.nasbla.org/nsc for more information. Applications are due February 13, 2026.
Help spread the word through your county’s newsletter, social media, and outreach channels during this year’s tax season. A small donation to the Fish/Wildlife Fund on line 21 of your Iowa state tax form can help support thousands of vulnerable wildlife through research, habitat development, and education.
Learn more about the benefits of the Chickadee Checkoff and how to make a donation on the DNR webpage.
This year we are ramping up efforts to get more people outdoors and on the water. Free Fishing Weekend is the perfect opportunity to host an event and we need your help to meet our goal of 100 events across the state June 5-7. Stay tuned to upcoming newsletters for more information, event planning tools, free supplies, and giveaways along with a chance to win prize packs for your county.
