News Releases

James Ave & Swan Lake Rd (south of Hawkeye Wildlife Area) closed Feb 1 - Apr 1. Impacts James Ave north of Swan Lake Rd and Swan Lake Rd west of Greencastle.

January 15, 2026

News - Featured

Hunting

Fishing

News Release

Outdoor Notes - Jan. 13, 2026

New year, new license. Iowa’s 2025 hunting and fishing licenses expired on January 10. Licenses are available at 650 locations across the state and online.

January 13, 2026

Hunting

News - Featured

News Release

Iowa’s deer hunting shifts to late season mode

Iowa's two January antlerless deer seasons, Population Management and Excess Tag, run Jan. 11-25 with differences.

January 9, 2026

Water Summary Update

News Release

Water Summary Update: 2025 drought conditions vary significantly throughout the year

Drought conditions improved in the summer months across the state but then degraded again with a dry fall, according to the latest Water Summary Update.

January 8, 2026

Image shows water levels on an Iowa river

Water Use Permits

News Release

Water use permits for review, published 01/08/2026

The DNR Water Quality Bureau has the following draft water use permits posted for public review.

January 8, 2026

Air Quality Draft Permits

News Release

Air quality permits for review, published 01/08/206

The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review.

January 8, 2026

Enforcement Actions

News Release

DNR enforcement actions, published 01/08/2026

DNR staff work with individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state and federal laws.

January 8, 2026

Natural Resource Commission

News Release

Natural Resource Commission to hold virtual meeting on Jan. 8

DES MOINES – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa DNR will host its monthly meeting virtually, beginning at 9:30 a.m., on Jan. 8.

January 6, 2026

News - Featured

Canoe, Kayak & Paddle Sports

News Release

Iowa DNR reminds paddlers - water is dangerously cold despite spring-like air temps

With a couple of above average temperatures forecast this week, the Iowa DNR reminds all paddlers that water temperatures remain dangerously cold.

January 6, 2026

Forestry Fire

News Release

2025 DNR Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants awarded to rural fire departments

Nearly $350,000 in 50% cost-share grants were recently awarded to 105 Iowa rural fire departments to help their efforts to protect Iowans from wildfires.

January 6, 2026

Water Use Permits

News Release

Water use permits for review, published 01/02/2026

The DNR Water Quality Bureau has the following draft water use permits posted for public review.

January 2, 2026

Iowa's Wildlife

News Release

Icon of the wetlands, Iowa’s trumpeter swan population continues to grow

Iowa trumpeter swans are making a huge comeback. Successful restoration has the population "really taking off right now," says the DNR.

December 30, 2025

A trumpeter swan with two cygnats on a Chickasaw County wetland. DNR Photo

News Releases

Chickadee tax check-off donations rise while donor numbers continue to decline

Environmental Protection Commission meeting agenda, published 01/15/2026

DNR enforcement actions, published 01/15/2026

Annual road closure south of Hawkeye Wildlife Area begins Feb. 1

Outdoor Notes - Jan. 13, 2026

Iowa’s deer hunting shifts to late season mode

Water Summary Update: 2025 drought conditions vary significantly throughout the year

Water use permits for review, published 01/08/2026

Air quality permits for review, published 01/08/206

DNR enforcement actions, published 01/08/2026

Natural Resource Commission to hold virtual meeting on Jan. 8

Iowa DNR reminds paddlers - water is dangerously cold despite spring-like air temps

2025 DNR Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants awarded to rural fire departments

Water use permits for review, published 01/02/2026

Icon of the wetlands, Iowa’s trumpeter swan population continues to grow

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