FishKillFlea Fishing without a valid fishing license in Iowa carries penalties from Iowa DNR conservation officers.
| Violation | Fine Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| No fishing license | $50 – $500 | Simple misdemeanor |
| No trout fee (in trout waters) | $50 – $500 | Required ALL ages! |
| Over creel limit | $50 – $1,000 per fish | Per-fish basis |
| 3+ poles without Bonus Line | $50 – $200 | Bonus Line = $14 |
Key Creel Limits
| Species | Daily Limit | Min Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | 5 | 15″ | Spirit Lake, Okoboji, Mississippi River |
| Largemouth bass | 5 | 12″ | Statewide |
| Channel catfish | 8 | 12″ | Mississippi, rivers statewide |
| Flathead catfish | 1 | 20″ | Iowa River, Des Moines River |
| Trout | 5 | 12″ | NE Iowa streams — trout fee required |
| Musky/tiger musky | 1 | 30″ | West Okoboji, Spirit Lake, Clear Lake |
| Crappie | 25 | No min | Generous — great family fishing |
Call Iowa DNR TIP: (800) 532-2020 — Turn In Poachers line.
A fishing license in Iowa is just $22. Get yours. See costs.