Des Moines - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting comments on several proposed changes to the Iowa Administrative Code Chapters 44, 54, 81 and 113, through March 5.
Proposed changes include using the newly updated American Fisheries Society publication guidelines for fish kill investigations (ARC 4921C), adding “virtual fishing tournaments” to the definition of a “fishing tournament,” (ARC 4924C) and allowing cities and counties issued a DNR permit to apply chemicals to public waters to remove aquatic plants for navigational and recreational purposes (ARC 4920C).
Other proposed changes include simplifying how catch and release regulations for black bass are listed and allow the DNR to designate site specific restrictions with signs at the respective waterbodies; changing the opening date for the Missouri and Big Sioux Rivers paddlefish season from Feb. 4 to Feb. 1, and allowing the DNR to post signs about trout fishing seasons, limits, catch and release and tackle regulations specific to a trout stream at that stream (ARC 4921C).
Comments on the proposed changes may be submitted through March 5 via email to fisheries@dnr.iowa.gov, or by mail to Joe Larscheid, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Wallace State Office Building, 502 East Ninth Street, Des Moines, Iowa, 50319-0034.
The Iowa DNR has scheduled listening sessions from noon to 2 p.m., March 5 at five locations where individuals may convey their comments if they choose. Attendees will be asked to give their names for the record and to confine their remarks to the content of the proposed amendments. Locations include:
- Wallace State Office Building, 502 East Ninth Street, Des Moines
- Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery, 122 252nd Avenue, Spirit Lake
- Cold Spring District Office, 57744 Lewis Road, Lewis
- Manchester Hatchery, 22693 205th Ave, Manchester
- Lake Darling District Office, 110 Lake Darling Road, Brighton
Any person attending these sessions and has special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments should contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.