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DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: Big CreekReturn

DNR investigates tree and fire vandalism at Big Creek State Park

• 3/26/2024 11:46:00 AM
• View Count 1609

POLK CITY, IA – On March 15 around 10:30 p.m. several local law enforcement agencies were called to Big Creek State Park to extinguish an illegal bonfire at the east boat ramp, which was allegedly set by a party of youths. When officials arrived on scene, the youths dispersed. No arrests have been made.

Big Creek Wildlife Area is hidden in plain sight

• 8/9/2023 7:30:00 AM
• View Count 3635

Often overlooked for its similarly named state park or mistaken for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sprawling Saylorville Wildlife Area, Big Creek Wildlife Area is roughly 3,100-acre, one stop outdoor shop just 10 minutes from Ankeny.

Road construction project to begin at Big Creek State Park

• 6/16/2020 1:45:00 PM
• View Count 2404

A new road construction project at Big Creek State Park will begin this week, according to DNR park staff.

DNR conservation officer and park ranger help rescue stranded boaters at Big Creek

• 6/16/2020 1:30:00 PM
• View Count 2440

POLK CITY, Iowa – On Sunday, June 14, a DNR conservation officer and a DNR park ranger responded to a group of three stranded boaters at Big Creek. 

DNR to close Olofson, Banner shooting ranges

• 3/18/2020 2:45:00 PM
• View Count 2519

Des Moines, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has closed the Olofson shooting range, near Big Creek State Park, and the Banner shooting range at Summerset State Park,  through March 31.

Ramsey Subaru donates bike racks to five Iowa state parks

• 10/22/2019 3:54:00 PM
• View Count 1826

DES MOINES – Ramsey Subaru of Des Moines has donated $2,500 to purchase bike racks at five Iowa state parks. The dealership will present the check at a small ceremony at Big Creek State Park on Friday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m.

Big Creek boat ramp temporarily closed for emergency road repairs

• 6/4/2019 2:08:00 PM
• View Count 2472

POLK CITY, Iowa -- Emergency repairs are needed after recent rainfall damaged NW 100th Street leading up to the boat ramp at Big Creek. The repairs are expected to take up to one week and will require the road to be temporarily closed during this time and will restrict access to the boat ramp located at the end of the drive.

Outdoors skills classes offered at Olofson shooting range

• 1/8/2019 12:34:00 PM
• View Count 3937

Polk City, Iowa - The Olofson Shooting Range, at Big Creek State Park, has scheduled more than 70 outdoor skills programs open to the public in 2019, including hunter education, hand gun basics, taxidermy, Dutch oven cooking, how to use a trail camera and more. Programs begin on Jan. 16 with a course on cleaning and storing guns.  

7 lakes you’ve got to fish this fall

• 10/23/2018 3:27:00 PM
• View Count 10915

Get out and enjoy Iowa’s fantastic fishing opportunities. The air is cool, the views are picturesque, lakes are less crowded and the fish are easy to catch.

Learn to Hunt series teaches waterfowl hunting basics at Butch Olofson

• 8/21/2018 12:45:00 PM
• View Count 5049

Polk City - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Capitol Callers Chapter of Delta Waterfowl are offering two classes teaching waterfowl hunting basics at the Butch Olofson Shooting Range, near Big Creek State Park.

Big Creek State Park to Host 6,000 Step Family Challenge Event

• 4/24/2018 12:16:00 PM
• View Count 2846

Big Creek State Park is hosting a 6,000-step challenge walk on April 29 from 1 to 4 p.m., encouraging people to be healthy outdoors.

Big Creek volunteer opportunity/meeting Sept. 12

• 9/7/2017 8:18:00 AM
• View Count 3634

DES MOINES -- Big Creek State Park will host a volunteer event and informational meeting Tuesday, Sept. 12

White bass die off at Big Creek Lake

• 8/28/2017 8:34:00 AM
• View Count 4654

Polk City - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has confirmed a fish kill involving white bass at Big Creek Lake.  

Johnston man pleaded guilty to deer poaching at Big Creek State Park

• 2/21/2017 3:18:00 PM
• View Count 8099

Polk City - Roy Penney, 49, of Johnston, pleaded guilty to using a motor vehicle to take deer, wanton waste of game, hunting in a refuge, failure to tag the deer and interference with official acts in Polk County Court on Feb. 17.

DNR investigating fish kill near in Des Moines County

• 8/4/2016 4:58:00 PM
• View Count 3349

YARMOUTH – A fish kill near the headwaters of Big Creek about a mile west of Yarmouth in Des Moines County resulted in less than a quarter of a mile of stream being impacted.

Second fish kill in Des Moines County being investigated near Yarmouth

• 8/3/2016 3:37:00 PM
• View Count 3637

YARMOUTH – Environmental specialists and fisheries biologists from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are on the scene of another fish kill Wednesday in Des Moines County.

Temporary Trail Closure at Big Creek State Park

• 6/21/2016 11:35:00 AM
• View Count 3799

Des Moines – The Neal Smith Trail will be closed temporarily near mile marker 24 for repairs beginning Wednesday, June 22. The section of the trail is located near the Gannet Shelter and east boat ramp in Big Creek State Park. Repairs are expected to be completed June 24, weather permitting.

Road Closures at Big Creek State Park

• 4/11/2016 9:40:00 AM
• View Count 4192

Des Moines – The main road into Big Creek State Park will be closed beginning Tuesday, April 12.

Fish Barrier Research Project Begins at Big Creek Lake & Brushy Creek Lake Spillways

• 3/29/2016 7:36:00 AM
• View Count 7303

A physical fish barrier fence, made of horizontal bars, was installed in 2012 at the Big Creek spillway to reduce adult walleye and muskellunge escapement from Big Creek Lake. The barrier was a collaborative project between the Central Iowa Anglers, Recycled Fish, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Beware of Ice on Big Creek Lake

• 1/14/2016 4:14:00 AM
• View Count 5536

POLK CITY – The DNR is warning anglers to use extreme caution when venturing onto the lake at Big Creek State Park because of construction activity occurring near the dam.

Olofson Shooting Range to Close Dec 20 for Construction

• 12/1/2015 7:04:00 AM
• View Count 8160

POLK CITY - The Charles “Butch” Olofson shooting range at Big Creek State Park in Polk County will close on December 20 to allow contractors to remove the old structures and install a new registration and classroom facility, add new baffles, and conduct lead reclamation and berm maintenance.