2014 Bald Eagle Watch Events

*events with asterisk have a school day on Friday

Clinton Bald Eagle Watch

Jan. 4, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.                                                           

• Outdoor viewing: Lock and Dam 13
• Live Bird and Nature Programs: Clinton Community College, 9:45 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Exhibits: Clinton Community College from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Free bus service from college to the outdoor viewing area.
• For more information call 815-259-3628

Mississippi River Visitor Center, Arsenal Island, Rock Island, Ill.

Saturdays and Sundays, Jan. 11– Feb. 15, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Combination Eagle Watch and Historic Clock Tower Tours

• Reservations are recommended as group size is limited.
• For more information contact Visitor’s Center Staff at 309-794-5338

*Quad Cities Bald Eagle Days                                                       

Jan. 11-12, 4 – 8 p.m., Friday (school day), 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday

QCCA Expo Center, 2621 4th Avenue, Rock Island, Ill.

• Live Eagle and Bird of Prey Programs by The World Bird Sanctuary
• Special Attractions
• Wildlife Art Show and Sale and Environmental Fair
• For more information contact the Mississippi River Visitor Center 309-794-5338 or Arlynn Hartwig 309-788-2543

Ottumwa Bald Eagle Watch

Jan. 11, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Bridge View Center on the Des Moines River
• For more information contact 641- 684-4303

*Dubuque Bald Eagle Watch                                                         

Jan. 18

• Outdoor viewing south of Lock and Dam 11, A.Y. McDonald Park 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Live Eagle and Bird of Prey Programs by The World Bird Sanctuary at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 and 3 p.m.
• Indoor Exhibits from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Grand River Center - Port of Dubuque
• Trolley rides from Grand River Center to outdoor viewing area
• For more information call 563-556-4372 or 563-582-0881

*Keokuk Bald Eagle Days

Jan. 17-19                                          

• Indoor programs and Environmental Fair at the River City Mall, Keokuk
• Live Eagle Programs Saturday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Outdoor viewing along the river front
• For more information call 1-800-383-1219

Coralville Bald Eagle Watch

Feb. 8

Indoor Expo

• Outdoor viewing at Tailwater West Picnic Shelter downstream from the dam at Coralville Lake
• Indoor programs 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at North Central Junior High, 180 Forevergreen Road, North Liberty
• For more information call 319-338-3543 ext. 6308

Grays Lake Des Moines Bald Eagle Watch                                                          

Feb. 14-15

Des Moines Parks and Rec will be hosting a Valentine’s Day Bald Eagle Watch at the eagle nest at Grays Lake on Fleur Drive in Des Moines on Feb. 14, and viewing with indoor live eagle at 6^th St. on Feb. 15.

• Outdoor viewing and replica nest 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Grays Lake, Friday
• Outdoor viewing, replica nest, live eagle indoors 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. 6^th bridge, Saturday
• For more information call 515-283-4294

Effigy Mounds Bald Eagle Watch                                                  

Feb. 22

• Outdoor viewing at Prairie DuChien Visitor’s Center on the River
• For more information call 563-873-3491     

Saylorville Bald Eagle Watch

Feb. 23, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Outdoor viewing at selected sites around reservoir, start at Visitor’s Center

• For more information call 515-276-4656

O’Brien County Bald Eagle Watch

March 1, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

• Prairie Heritage Center, 4931 Yellow Ave., Peterson
• There will be spotting scopes and binoculars available.
• Ty Smedes will be presenting his book “The Return of Iowa’s Bald Eagle” at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• For more information call Charlene Elyea 712-295-7200

Sioux Rapids

March 22

American Legion Building, 200 Main Street, Sioux Rapids

• Registration from 8:30 to 10 a.m.
• Speakers from 10 a.m. to Noon
• Refreshments will be served in the morning. There will be a free will offering lunch at 12:15 p.m.
• Outdoor viewing at selected sites.
• Can pre-register by contacting Wonders of Nature

• For more information call: 712-296-4920 or 712-295-7200

Audubon Christmas Bird Count

Jamaica Circle

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Early morning owling and birding on your own/join us if you wish

7:30 Meet at Springbrook Conservation Education Center to organize parties, (optional for those with pre-arranged areas.)

12:00 Compare notes and have lunch at Just Ethel’s in Yale.

         Those who wish to continue will decide areas to cover.

5:00 Return to Springbrook Conservation Education Center

         for compilation and Chili! (You may phone or email results

         if you prefer.)

Thanks so much for your participation!

If you have questions, please contact:

Anne Riordan

641-747-8383 ext 10

641-431-1455 (cell)

Anne.riordan@dnr.iowa.gov

Audubon: Christmas Bird Count

http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count?gclid=CLvQjZrOmbsCFccRMwodbTkAww

Ice Fishing Safety

Hypothermia and Frostbite

Frostbite is localized freezing of tissue. The extremities (nose, ears, fingers, and toes) are most susceptible. In the early stages of frostbite, the skin around the affected area will look flushed and you will feel burning, itching, tingling, or numbness in the area. A frostbitten area will turn whitish to yellowish and appear waxy as ice crystals form under the skin. Do not rub a frostbitten area to warm it. The ice crystals in the tissue can cause further damage, if rubbed or moved around. Do not warm the area by a fire. The area will be numb and you may not realize you’re being burned. The best way to slowly warm a frostbitten area is to place it near warm skin. For cold hands, the armpits or abdomen are usually the warmest areas where they can be placed. A warm hand works best for ears and nose. Once frostbitten, that area will be more susceptible to refreezing.

Hypothermia is the actual lowering of the body’s temperature – the body loses heat faster than it can be generated – and can be very serious. Extremely cold temperatures are not necessary to induce hypothermia. Dampness and wind, with mild temperatures (40 to 50 °F) can bring it on. Shivering is the first sign of hypothermia. As it progresses, the victim may develop coordination problems, blurred vision, nausea, and slurred speech and may lose the ability to think clearly, to reason, or to remember. Get a hypothermia victim dry and warm as fast as possible. A warm shelter out of the wind and warm, dry, insulated clothes and covers are a first step. Give him hot liquids (Cocoa or tea - not alcohol, which causes dilation of the blood vessels and further cooling). If the person is unconscious, shivering uncontrollably, drowsy, or having difficulty breathing, keep her as warm as possible and get immediate medical attention.

“Cold Hand Luke” Demonstration

Cold water can cause you to lose feeling in your limbs, interfere with your ability to move or think, and even cause death in some cases. This is a demonstration of some of the effects of cold water, even over a short period of time. Water conducts heat away from the body twenty-five times faster than air and a victim could die in as few as 60 minutes in water colder than 40°F. In 50°F water, you have a 50-50 chance of swimming beyond 50 minutes without a protective PFD. To emphasize this, fill a five-gallon bucket with ice water. Put some change in the bottom (pennies work fine) and invite volunteers to get the change back out. They can keep all the change they pick up, if they can keep their hand in the water for three minutes. If they can’t keep their hand in the water for three minutes, they can’t keep the change. Point out the decreased dexterity, white skin, lack of sensitivity, and weak pulse of the exposed limb caused by only a few minutes in cold water.

Caution: You may want to use an adult volunteer if you are working with younger students.

DNR TO ANSWER YOUR IOWA WILDLIFE QUESTIONS LIVE ON FACEBOOK DEC. 19

MEDIA CONTACT: Jessie Brown, DNR, at 515-281-5131 or Jessie.Brown@dnr.iowa.gov

DES MOINES — Iowans with questions about the state’s wildlife – whether in their backyard or game species in the field – can have them answered live on Facebook Dec. 19.

Karen Kinkead, DNR wildlife diversity program coordinator, and Willie Suchy, DNR wildlife supervisor, will answer questions live from noon to 2:30 p.m. To ask a question, post it as a comment on the “Live Q&A” post that the DNR will post at noon that day. You can also post questions ahead of time on the DNR’s Facebook Timeline at www.facebook.com/iowadnr. Questions received after 2:30 will be answered, but at a later time.

To make sure you see the Live Q&A when it is posted, make sure you “like” the DNR’s page on Facebook. Go to www.facebook.com/iowadnr and click on “like” and make sure “get notifications” and “show in news feed” are selected.

Commenters should also view the DNR’s Facebook posting policy ahead of time at https://www.facebook.com/iowadnr/info.

 

Ice Fishing Safety

Ice fishing can put an angler in some dangerous situations. Icy cold waters and bone-chilling air are unforgiving elements. Unsafe behavior can have deadly results. Before going out on the ice, be prepared with safety equipment and know ice safety precautions. In early winter, it usually takes a week or more of below freezing temperatures to form safe ice.

Thickness and Quality

Take the time to check (and double check) the ice on which you are planning to fish and take all safety precautions. Before venturing out on the ice, drill a hole in it from a dock or the shore to gauge the thickness and quality.

Four inches of clear blue ice or eight inches of black, honey-combed ice will safely hold an adult-sized person. Five to six inches of clear blue ice is needed for snowmobiles, four-wheelers, or groups of three or more people.

Avoid ice that appears dark, this is “rotten ice” and can be unstable. Avoid danger spots where the ice may be weakened or thinner. Snow covered areas are insulated by the snow and the ice underneath may be weakened. Immersed objects sticking out of the water gather heat from the sun. This can melt the ice surrounding the object. Areas used frequently by ice anglers can be full of old auger holes – use extra care in these spots.

The water movement from springs or where a stream enters a lake can cause non-uniform ice thickness. In rivers, currents near the river bank and sunny cliff bases can produce areas of thin ice. Know the area you will be fishing and avoid locations where ice thickness may be unpredictable. Large lakes can be especially dangerous because wind and wave action can break up very thick ice in a very short time.

Fishing Partners

As with most activities involving water, it is a good idea to use the “buddy” system. Take someone along when ice fishing! Always let someone else know where you will be and when you expect to arrive back. This way someone will be able to find you in the shortest amount of time if you do not show up on schedule.

Safety Equipment

A five gallon bucket used to carry gear to the fishing spot also can be a life saver. The five gallon bucket can be inverted, holding air, and allowing a person to float on it until help can arrive.

It is also a good idea to take a  throw jug ice fishing. This is simply a plastic jug with a lid and some nylon rope. The rope is stored inside the jug until needed. It then can be tied to the milk jug handle and the lid replaced. The jug can be thrown from shore to someone who has fallen through the ice so she can be pulled to shore. The jug also can keep someone afloat until help arrives.

A small board with a nail or spike attached perpendicularly to one end can be used to help you get a grip on the ice and pull yourself out if you go through the ice. Include a personal floatation device (PFD) in the gear you take ice fishing. Even with the best of planning and safety checks, accidents occur. Be prepared. A PFD can keep you afloat until help arrives. A piece of rope (at least fifty feet in length) can be tied to a PFD and thrown to someone in trouble.

A rope also can be tied to an anchor on shore (e.g., a tree) and then around your waist for extra safety when fishing alone. An angler alone who falls through the ice, must try to get herself out. Two minutes in cold water is long enough to make hands too stiff to use. On average, a person can survive in cold water only twenty to thirty minutes before hypothermia overcomes him.

Grasp the edge of the ice in the direction of shore or safe ice and, if it breaks, keep going until you find solid ice. Use your legs to get your torso out on the ice. Roll to safety. Don’t try to get up to walk, you may break through the ice again. Rolling spreads your body weight out over a larger area and will put less pressure on the ice. If you are unable to get out of the water, you must conserve body heat. Try to remain as still as possible and tuck into a ball shape to conserve heat until help arrives.

 

Remember

• There is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice.

• The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recommends a minimum of four inches of quality ice for fishing and at least five inches for snowmobiles and ATVs.  

• Ice thickness is not uniform on any body of water.  Things like current and springs slow ice growth. Rocks, trees or docks that poke through the ice like will conduct heat and make the ice around it less stable.  

• There could be pockets of thin ice or places where ice recently formed, so it would be wise to check ice thickness as you go out.

• The insulating effect of snow slows down the freezing process.

• Safety items in the bucket: Ice picks, about 50 feet of rope and a throwable floatation seat cushion, or old empty milk jug.

• Ice fishing is a social activity, don’t go out alone. If the worst should happen, someone would be there to call for help or to rescue. 

• Avoid off-colored snow or ice. It is usually a sign of weakness. 

• Trust your instincts. If it doesn’t look right, stay off. 

IDNR Shooting Sports Training Opportunity for Athletes, Parents and Coaches

The Iowa Scholastic Clay Target Program, Inc. is hosting a unique opportunity for athletes, parents and coaches to learn more about the “mental game” of shooting - skills which can also be applied to other sports and life in general.  Lanny and Troy Bassham of Mental Management Systems will be in Ames, IA on February 15 and 16 to present the following:

 February 15 – Mental Management for Athletes and Parents 9:00AM to 5:00PM

• Why Our Beliefs about Pressure are Myths
• Why Giving it 110% Doesn’t Work
• Principles of Mental Management
•  Strategies to Control Pressure
• 3 Mental Processes that Control Performance
•   # 1 Reason Why Skilled Performers Fail in Competition
• Why 95% of Winning is Accomplished by only 5% of the Participants
•  3 Attitudes the Top 5% Possess that Keep Them on Top
• How the Reinforcement Phase Affects the Self-Image 
• How Self-Image Changes
• How to Eliminate a Habit or Attitude Keeping You from Reaching your Goals
• How to Use the Most Powerful Tool for Changing Self-Image
• How to Build Self-Image in Young Performers
• The Mistakes Loving Parents Make when Dealing with Children
• Difference Between Attainment and Accomplishment
• Why Talent is Overrated
• How a Parent Can Make a Coach More Effective

Early Bird Registration (on or before January 10) $75 per person.   After January 10, $125/person.  Registration includes lunch and refreshments.

 February 16 – Mental Management for Coaches 9:00AM to 5:00PM

• How to be a more effective coach by adapting to different coaching styles.
• How to structure training to help build Self-Image in your students.
• How to get more done in less time, advance students faster and prepare them better.
• How to help your students understand how to set goals and change habits.
• How to maximize the effectiveness of the coach and minimize the pitfalls that cause your players trouble.
• The secrets the building a program people can't wait to join.
• Determine ways to diagnose if a student is having an issue focusing, a Self-Image issue or a technical issue.
• Learn why some players who are playing well have a down turn.
• Learn what to do when performance drops.
• Develop an understanding of how the mental game syncs with technique and form.
• How to adapt your coaching according to player's learning styles to increase retention and understanding.
• How to seek out opportunities to inspire and motivate, not simply to instruct.
• How to make counseling with students more powerful, memorable and effective.
• Early Bird Registration (on or before January 10) $100 per person.   After January 10, $150/person.  Registration includes lunch and refreshments.

BOTH DAYS - Early Bird Registration (on or before January 10) $150 per person.   After January 10, $250/person.  Registration includes lunch and refreshments.

Seats in these seminars are limited.  For complete information and to register go to: http://www.iowasctp.org/shotgun-coach-education/other-continuing-education

Archery Participation Benefits from Popular Movie Franchise

            Archery is experiencing a wave of popularity thanks, in part, to the successful Hunger Games series, and locally to Iowa’s expanding archery in the schools program.

In conjunction with the release of Hunger Games: Catching Fire on Nov. 22, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will be giving away a brand new Matthews Genesis Bow valued at $200. 

To enter the drawing, watch the movie, save the ticket and go to www.iowadnr.gov/archery for instructions.  Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2013 for the drawing in January.  The Iowa Bowhunters Association’s National Archery in the Schools Program Foundation is sponsoring the bow for the drawing. 

Iowa has real life archery stars of its own.

Miranda Leek, from Des Moines, is the current indoor and outdoor champion, a member of the 2014 Senior US National Archery Team and the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team for women’s recurve archery.  

Bridger Deaton, of Otley, is a member of 2014 Senior U.S. Archery Team for men’s compound archery, after his team placed silver in Wuix, China at the 2013 World Archery Youth Championships. 

Matt Stutzman, from Fairfield, won a silver medal in the 2012 London Paralympics. 

Currently, more than 2,500 elementary through high school student athletes participate in Iowa’s National Archery in the Schools program. Parents or students interested in competing in archery at their school can learn more about the program at www.iowadnr.gov/archery. 

There is so much more to archery than the simple bow and arrow. Make sure to also visit www.releaseyourwild.com to spread the love of archery.

 

Sidebar: West Des Moines Archery Park to Open Spring 2014

The Raccoon River Archery Park in West Des Moines will be the first in Iowa and the third nationwide when the 12 lane outdoor containment park opens in the spring. 

The range with feature moveable targets up to 40 yards and be enclosed on all sides by a combination of solid wood walls and chain-link fencing.  Rubber belting will be hung between the tops of the wood walls to insure stray arrows do not leave the facility.  The range will also have a shelter over the shooting area.   

Programming and facility rules are being planned by the City of West Des Moines.

Media Contact: Donise Petersen, Archery in the Schools Coordinator, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 515-205-8709

ASK A DNR CONSERVATION OFFICER QUESTIONS LIVE ON FACEBOOK

DES MOINES — DNR Conservation Officer Aron Arthur will answer Iowans’ questions live on the DNR’s Facebook page Nov. 20.

Arthur will be available via Facebook from noon to 2:30 p.m. To ask a question, post it as a comment on the “Live Q&A” post that the DNR will post at noon that day. You can also post questions ahead of time on the DNR’s Facebook Timeline at www.facebook.com/iowadnr. Questions received after 2:30 may be answered at a later time.

To make sure you see the Live Q&A when it is posted, make sure you “like” the DNR’s page on Facebook. Go to www.facebook.com/iowadnr and click on “like” and make sure “get notifications” and “show in news feed” are selected.

Commenters should also view the DNR’s Facebook posting policy ahead of time at https://www.facebook.com/iowadnr/info.

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Jessie Brown, DNR, at 515-281-5131 or Jessie.Brown@dnr.iowa.gov

 

Get Your School Hooked!

"Fish Iowa! Games is a great confidence builder for students. It doesn’t matter your size, age, or gender – everybody can compete on a fair level.”

Fish Iowa! Games is a competition where students cast from three distances using the flipping, pitching, and overhand techniques. It was developed by the Iowa Sports Foundation, in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in 2006. Since then, over 73,000 K-12 students throughout the state have participated.

All medalists (gold, silver, bronze) from each school are invited to compete in the Fish Iowa! Games Finals at the 2014 Summer Iowa Games on Saturday, July 19.

 

2014 Registration Now Open!!!

Register your school or your class now to secure your competition kit. The competition may be held anytime between February 1 and May 1. Competition kits will be shipped beginning January 23.

Competition Kit

• Guidelines and diagrams
• 2 targets
• 2 contest spincast rods & reels
• 16 casting plugs (5/16 oz) for practice
• Participation ribbons – 1 per contestant
• Medals – gold, silver, and bronze for each class
• Sample press release

 

 

 

DNR TO ANSWER FALL HUNTING QUESTIONS LIVE ON FACEBOOK

            DES MOINES — Iowans with fall hunting on their minds will want to mark their calendar for Oct. 24, when DNR wildlife research supervisor Willie Suchy will answer fall hunting questions live on the DNR’s Facebook page.

Suchy will be available via Facebook from noon to 2:30 p.m. To ask a question, post it as a comment on the “Live Q&A” post that the DNR will post at noon that day. You can also post questions ahead of time on the DNR’s Facebook Timeline at www.facebook.com/iowadnr. Questions received after 2:30 may be answered at a later time.

To make sure you see the Live Q&A when it is posted, make sure you “like” the page on Facebook. Go to www.facebook.com/iowadnr and click on “like” and make sure “get notifications” and “show in news feed” are selected.

Commenters should also view the DNR’s Facebook posting policy ahead of time at https://www.facebook.com/iowadnr/info.

 

Iowa’s youth pheasant season is Oct. 19-20.

 Resident hunters ages 15 and younger may hunt rooster pheasants during the youth pheasant season without having a hunting license, paying the habitat fee or passing a hunter education course.

The youth hunter must be accompanied by an adult 18 years old or older who has a valid hunting license and has paid the habitat fee, if normally required. Only the youth may shoot pheasants.

The season is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. The daily bag limit is one rooster pheasant with a possession limit of two, after the first day.

 

State Record Redear Sunfish Caught from Wapello County Farm Pond

 

 

           Jeff Kokemiller had been catching 12-inch and longer redear sunfish in his farm pond since 2009 but the one he caught in the late afternoon on Sept. 27 looked bigger than the others, so he decided to investigate what the state record was for redear sunfish.

1 pound 1 ounce, 11 inches long.

Consider the record smashed.

Kokemiller’s redear sunfish weighed 2.04 pounds and was 13-1/8 inches. It was weighed on a certified scale and verified by Iowa Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist Mark Flammang.

Kokemiller, from Ottumwa, caught the fish using a worm and hook from his 2-1/2-acre farm pond and plans to have it mounted.

“I was using jigs, but not getting the size of fish I wanted so I switched to a worm and a hook and it worked,” he said.

He caught the fish in 14 to 15 feet of water fishing from a kayak.

 

Mark your calendars because October 9, 2013 is a BIG, HEALTHY day!!

October 9 marks three great events aimed at getting kids outside and moving to promote a healthy lifestyle. It is International Walk to School Day, Live Healthy Iowa Kids: Fall Fitness Day, and Iowa’s Healthiest State Walk. See below for more information about these great events!

Live Healthy Iowa Kids: Fall Fitness Day

http://www.livehealthyiowakids.org/aspx/Public/Page.aspx?pid=13677

Fall Fitness Day is a one-day event encouraging Iowa schools to engage their students in 30 minutes of continuous activity. It shows kids that physical activity is fun and healthy! Visit the above link to register your school and for more information.

Activity ideas:

• Walk  
• Obstacle course
• Fitness stations
• Relay races
• Aerobics
• Dancing
• Nature hike
• Community cleanup

Healthiest State Walk

http://www.iowahealthieststate.com/healthiest-state-walk
Iowans across the state have shown their support for the Healthiest State Initiative by the thousands. By the hundreds of thousands, actually – in both 2011 and 2012, nearly 300,000 Iowans participated in 1-kilometer walks to show that we’re ready for a healthier Iowa.

They are striving to keep that momentum going to make this year’s walk on October 9 the biggest one yet. Be part of the movement by walking 1-kilometer (0.62 miles) on October 9.

International Walk to School Day

http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/
International Walk to School Day is October 9, 2013! International Walk to School Day is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day. It began in 1997 as a one-day event. Over time, this event has become part of a movement for year-round safe routes to school and a celebration – with record breaking participation – each October. Today, thousands of schools across America – from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico – participate every October.

Three Ways to Participate

• Walk or bike from home
• Designated starting points (for students/families that live too far from school to walk or ride a bike)
• Walk or bike AT school

Fall Trout Stocking Begins October 11

           
            The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will begin its fall and winter trout stocking on Oct. 11, with a release planned for Sand Lake, in Marshalltown.

The DNR has 17 cool weather stockings planned and will release between 1,000 to 2,000 rainbow trout at each location as part of its cool weather trout program that brings trout to areas that cannot support them during the summer months. 

Anglers will need to have a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.  The daily limit is five trout per licensed angler with a possession limit of 10. 

Children age 15 or younger can fish for trout with a properly licensed adult, but they must limit their catch to one daily limit.  The child can purchase a trout fee which will allow them to catch their own limit.

2013-14 Fall Winter Trout Stocking Schedule

Oct. 11, Sand Lake, Marshalltown, 11 a.m.

Oct. 17, Big Lake, Council Bluffs, 2 p.m.

Oct. 18, Banner Lake (South), Summerset State Park, Indianola, Noon

Oct. 18, Petoka, Bondurant, Noon

Oct. 19, Lake of the Hills, Davenport, 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 31, Ottumwa Park Pond, 11 a.m.

Nov. 1, Sand Lake, Iowa City, 10 a.m.

Nov. 2, Heritage Pond, Dubuque, 10 a.m.

Nov. 9, Scharnberg Pond, Spencer, 1 p.m.

Nov. 9, Wilson Lake, Fort Madison, Noon

Nov. 9, Discovery Park, Muscatine, 10 a.m.

Nov. 16, Moorland Pond, Fort Dodge, 1 p.m.

Nov. 20, Bacon Creek, Sioux City, 1:30 p.m.

Nov. 21, Ada Hayden, Ames, Noon

Nov. 22, Prairie Creek Park (Cedar Bend), Cedar Rapids, 10 a.m.

Nov. 27, Blue Pit, Mason City, 11 a.m.

Date TBA, North Prairie, Cedar Falls

 

Media Contact: Mike Mason, Fish Culture Supervisor, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 515-281-6072.

 

 

DNR FISHERIES CHIEF TO ANSWER FALL FISHING QUESTIONS LIVE ON FACEBOOK

 

DES MOINES — Anglers with fall fishing on their minds will want to mark their calendar for Sept. 26, when DNR Fisheries chief Joe Larscheid will answer fall fishing questions live on the DNR’s Facebook page.

Larscheid will be available via Facebook from noon to 2:30 p.m. To ask a question, post it as a comment on the “Live Q&A” post that the DNR will post at noon that day. You can also post questions ahead of time on the DNR’s Facebook Timeline at www.facebook.com/iowadnr. Questions received after 2:30 may be answered at a later time.

To make sure you see the Live Q&A when it is posted, make sure you “like” the page on Facebook. Go to www.facebook.com/iowadnr and click on “like” and make sure “get notifications” and “show in news feed” are selected.

Commenters should also view the DNR’s Facebook posting policy ahead of time at https://www.facebook.com/iowadnr/info.

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Jessie Brown, DNR, at 515-281-5131 or Jessie.Brown@dnr.iowa.gov

 

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recently posted the above photo on their Facebook® page of a near state record Brown Trout caught by Dave Strom near Decorah. This monster weighed in at 14 pounds, 10 ounces and measured 29.75 inches long. While Dave’s trout did not surpass the current state record brown trout of 15 pounds, 6 ounces, it was an impressive catch! Even more impressive is that the IDNR does not stock brood brown trout in the area where this fish was caught which means this trout was either the result of natural brown trout reproduction in the area or was once a fingerling or “catchable” stocked brown trout.

To view the original IDNR Facebook® post with Dave Strom’s trout visit:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151549604352111&set=a.10150123562917111.287156.35001767110&type=1&theater

New State Record Fish
If you believe you have caught an all-time state record fish in Iowa, here are a few guidelines:

• New all-time state record fish will be recognized when the weight of the fish exceeds by one ounce or more the weight of the previous record for that species or recognized hybrid.
• New all-time state record fish must be examined and verified by DNR fisheries personnel.
• A photo of the fish and angler are required.
• One witness must attest to the weight of the fish to the nearest ounce on scales legal for trade.
• All-time records are posted until broken.

Iowa fish that do not currently have a record:

• Brown Bullhead
• Yellow Bullhead
• Silver Carp
• Mooneye
• Pumpkinseed Sunfish
• Warmouth Sunfish
• Spotted Bass

To view the current list of state record fish in Iowa visit:

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/IowaFishSpecies/StateRecordFish