Spend a winter day ice fishing

Get a group of friends and/or family together, bundle up and try ice fishing this winter.

Check the weekly DNR fishing report for ice conditions across the state before going out. Smaller bodies of water usually freeze faster and thicker than larger lakes or river backwaters, which often have a warmer current moving through.

At a minimum, four inches of clear blue ice is recommended for fishing. Be especially careful on ice around submerged trees and emergent vegetation, this ice tends to be weaker. If the ice does not look right, find a different spot.

“Most Iowa lakes are full of bluegills, which are the easiest and most often caught during the winter,” said Joe Larscheid, chief of fisheries for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

“Start with a no. 8 hook or a tear drop and tip it with a wax worm. Drop the baited hook to the bottom of the lake, then lift it back up about a foot.

Lakes in northern Iowa will have yellow perch and walleye in addition to bluegills.  In the south, crappies join bluegills.  “You catch an occasional catfish, northern pike, largemouth bass, and other species, but not as consistently,” Larscheid said.

Use the DNR's online maps of the lake you are going to fish to find edges of creek channels, fish mounds, brush piles and rock piles that likely hold fish. Printable maps and the online Fishing Atlas are available on the DNR website. If you have previously bookmarked the fishing atlas on your smartphone, update the link to the new mobile friendly version to view the latest features.

“You can position yourself right over the habitat, place your bait and lure it front of the fish and can catch a lot of fish per trip,” said Larscheid. 

Use small hooks, small bait and light fishing line. Small jigging spoons are commonly used to catch walleye and crappie. Drop your bait and leave it alone, or slowly jig to attract the fish.

Ice conditions change constantly and its thickness can vary across the lake. Drill test holes near shore and periodically as you move to measure the thickness and quality of the ice. Don’t go out alone and always let someone else know where you will be and when you expect to return home. Carry about 50 feet of rope, a throwable floatation seat cushion and your cell phone.

For more ice fishing tips, visit the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/icefishing.

Fall Urban Trout Stocking Schedule

 

Grab your neighbors, friends and kids and try trout fishing this fall. DNR fisheries staff will release between 1,000 to 2,000 rainbow trout in seventeen locations across Iowa as part of its cool weather trout program that brings trout to areas that cannot support them during the summer months. 

Fall urban trout stockings are a great place to take kids to catch their first fish. Trout are easy to catch using the most basic fishing gear. A small hook with a nightcrawler or corn under a small bobber to casting small simple spinners such as a panther martin or mepps is all you need to get in on the fun.

 

2016 Fall Urban Trout Stocking Schedule

Oct. 13, North Prairie Lake, Cedar Falls, 11 a.m.
Oct. 13, Sand Lake, Marshalltown, Noon
Oct. 14, Lake of the Hills, Davenport, 10:30 a.m.
Oct. 14, Terry Trueblood Lake, Iowa City, 11 a.m.
Oct. 20, Big Lake, Council Bluffs, 3 p.m.
Oct. 20, Banner Lake (South), Summerset State Park, Indianola, 11 a.m.
Oct. 21, Lake Petocka, Bondurant, Noon
Oct. 28, Ottumwa Park Pond, Ottumwa, 11:30 a.m.
Oct. 29, Discovery Park, Muscatine, 10 a.m.
Oct. 29, Wilson Lake, Fort Madison, Noon
Oct. 29, Heritage Pond, Dubuque, 11 a.m.
Nov. 5, Scharnberg Pond, Spencer, Noon
Nov. 8, Bacon Creek, Sioux City, 1 p.m.
Nov. 9, Moorland Pond, Fort Dodge, Noon
Nov. 18, Ada Hayden, Ames, Noon
Nov. 18, Prairie Park (Cedar Bend), Cedar Rapids, 10:30 a.m.
Nov. 23, Blue Pit, Mason City, 11 a.m.

You need 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.

 

Find more tips for catching trout on the DNR website.

Fall Trout Fishing Destinations

Start a new fall tradition with a trip to northeast Iowa’s hundreds of miles of trout streams. From easily accessible streams in state or county parks, to those found in Iowa’s most wild and remote natural spaces, there are plenty of places to catch rainbow, brown and brook trout.

Admire the vibrant fall scenery while testing your trout fishing skills at one of these destinations.

• Brush Creek, Fayette County – located in Brush Creek Canyon State Preserve near Arlington; a steep narrow path through the forest leads you to the stream. Catch stream-reared brown trout up to 17 inches. Stream access gets better after the first frost. Bring along a variety of minnow, creek chub or crawdad imitation lures or flies.
• Ensign Hollow, Clayton County – abundant wild brown trout with 10-13 inch fish common at the Ensign Hollow Wildlife Management Area. Access along shorelines improves in the fall after frost. Trout are usually near bank habitat. Use spinners, jigs or flies in patterns that mimic minnows, hoppers or caddis.
• Little Paint Creek, Allamakee County – find wild brook trout up to 11 inches in the upstream end of Little Paint Creek nestled in the Yellow River State Forest. The narrow valley of Little Paint offers some of the best fall colors. Rainbow and brook trout are stocked weekly through October.  Look for trout behind larger boulders and under rock ledges.
• Maquoketa River, Clayton and Delaware County – miles of public access for stream-reared brown trout and stocked rainbow trout. Catch 10-12 inch rainbows as well as some browns up to 16 inches. Look for rainbows in pools and runs; brown trout will be near wood habitat. Try long casts with spinners, spoons and swim baits to search for active fish and cover lots of water. 
• Mill Creek, Jackson County – catch wild brown trout and stocked rainbow trout on Mill Creek and wild browns at South Fork Mill Creek, located in the Big Mill Wildlife Area west of Bellevue.  Use spinners, jigs and live bait. Work from downstream to upstream with long casts for the best chances at catching “shy” trout.  Most trout here are 8-13 inches.
• Sny Magill Creek, Clayton County – abundant wild brown trout with 12-14 inch fish common along with stocked rainbow and brook trout. Several access points are available along this 7.5 mile stretch of coldwater. Lots of habitat work has been done along this stream corridor enhancing the plethora of deeper holes and long runs. Try a flashy spinner or a worm on a hook under a bobber in the deeper holes.
• South Pine Creek, Winneshiek County – find Iowa’s native brook trout here. Be prepared to walk 1.5 miles along a mowed path passing oak forests and upland prairies. The water is clear and the stream is very narrow, so be ready to sneak up on these fish. Bait cannot be used here; try terrestrial patterns such as ants, hoppers, crickets and small mayfly and midges. All brook trout must be immediately released alive.
• Spring Branch Creek, Delaware County – one of the best opportunities in Iowa to catch a “trout trifecta” (brook, brown and rainbow trout) in a single trip. Bait is not allowed here; fish feed on a variety of insects including caddis, mayflies and midges.  Small patterns (size 16 and smaller) are the standard, but larger flies including hoppers and streamers are good fall choices. A favorite destination among fly fishers with its good insect hatches and great public access to more than 1.5 miles of coldwater stream.
• Swiss Valley, Dubuque County – catch stream-reared browns as well as stocked rainbows at Catfish Creek in Swiss Valley Preserve and Campground near the attractions and convenience provided by the City of Dubuque.  A well-developed trail provides fishing access into an area known for fall beauty.  Fish large pools and along bank hides with nightcrawlers, plastics, spinners and jigs.  Most trout here are 8-13 inch with opportunities to catch a few large (16 inch) browns.
• Turtle Creek, Mitchell County – this 3 mile gem with deep holes and long riffles is reminiscent of a stream once found in the rolling prairies. It’s open landscape and low banks make it fairly easy to access.  Rainbow and brook trout are stocked weekly through October. Catch wild brown trout up to 16 inches. Use terrestrial insects such as hoppers and crickets.

Learn more about Iowa’s trout streams, including maps, amenities, regulations and stocking schedules on the DNR trout fishing webpage. You need to have a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Check conditions before you go with the weekly Iowa Fishing Report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iowa Outdoor Expo for Kids and Families

September 24th & 25th

Saturday: 9am - 6pm & Sunday: 10am - 4pm
Des Moines Izaak Walton League and Water Works Park
4343 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines

Celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day by bringing the entire family out for a fun weekend discovering new and exciting ways to enjoy Iowa's outdoors. 

With over 50 free hands-on activities and daily family presentations, visitor's are able to learn, observe and experience recreation opportunities in the great outdoors. Instructors will be on hand to teach the activities, offer guidance and tips for them to enjoy the activity when they are on their own.

Hands-on activities include, but are not limited to:

• Fishing- Reel Fishing, Bow Fishing, Casting games, Fish ID tank, Fish Printing, Fish Cleaning & Cooking
• Water Sports- Canoeing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Life Jacket Safety, Knot Tying
• Kid's Corner- Fossil & Treasure Dig, Live Animals, Minnow Races, Build a Bird Feeder, Fish Cleaning
• Camping- Tent Demonstrations, Dutch Oven and Game Cooking
• Buckskinners Encampment- Traditional encampment, Blacksmith Shop, Tomahawk Range, Atl Atl
• Archery- Beginners Foam Range, Traditional Range (9 and over), 3D Range, Aerial Range, Tree Stand Safety
• Shooting Sports- Trap Shooting (height requirement), Sling Shot, BB Gun Range, Air Gun Range
• Wildlife & Hunting- Furharvesting and Trapping in Iowa, Waterfowl Hunting, Turn In Poachers (TIP), Wild Game Care/Food Safety, Turkey Hunting
• Conservation- Urban Garden Program, Polk County Soil & Water Conservation, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Sierra Club, Urban Pollinator Program, Outdoor Health
• Raptor Release- SOAR (release times available at the Registration Tent)
• Live Game Field Dressing- Milo Locker

The Iowa Outdoor Expo is sponsored by the Izaak Walton League, Polk County Conservation, Des Moines Parks and Recreation, the U.S. Sportsman’s Alliance Foundation, SOAR Saving Our Avian Resources, Weatherby Foundation International, Friends of NRA, MidIowa Bassmasters, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Theisens Home-Farm-Auto, Milo Locker, Shallow Water Investigators Bowfishing, Northern Lights Pizza, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and many more. 

Fall Fishing Hotspots

Fall fishing is one of Iowa's best kept secrets. The air is cool, the views are picturesque and the fish are pulling out of their late summer slumber.

Add one of these destinations to your fall fishing itinerary.

• Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo County - yellow bass fishing is excellent in the fall. Use small jigs tipped with nightcrawler, minnows and cut bait. Stay on the move to find schools of fish. The average size yellow bass is 9 inches. A number of Master Angler qualifying yellow bass (10 inches) are available to catch this fall.
• Coralville Reservoir, Johnson County – fall bite is best for walleyes and white bass here; throw crankbaits on sloping rock banks. Catch crappies near brush or steeper rock banks on jigs or minnows.
• Don Williams Lake, Boone County - a strong black crappie population welcomes anglers.  Drift the middle of the lake with small jigs in early fall. Fish will move to structure in late fall – quickly locate structure in the lake with the printable fishing structures map.
• Lake Anita, Cass County, and Viking Lake, Montgomery County - try around the numerous brush piles for largemouth bass over 20 inches. Fishing will heat up as the water temperature drops this fall.
• Lake Iowa, Iowa County – try small jigs or worms around brush piles or along weed edges to catch bluegills up to 9 inches and redear sunfish up to 12 inches. Catch 9-11 inch black crappies around brush on jigs or minnows.
• Lake Macbride, Johnson County - catch 13-20 inch walleyes, with much larger fish available; troll crankbaits or cast jigs to rock reefs and humps in 8-15 feet of water.  Cast jigs or minnows around/over the brush piles for 10-12 inch crappies. Wiper fishing picks up in the fall; try crankbaits and swim baits fished off points and rock reef edges for 14-28 inch wipers with 3-6 pounders being an average fish.
• Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County - a fall trip has the potential to put a trophy walleye or wiper on the line.  Use twister tails or shad raps on the rocks lining the west shore of the lake for walleyes.  Wipers tend to hang out on the north shore near the inlet.
• Mississippi River  - fall smallmouth bass fishing can be fantastic. Cast close to rock piles or rocky shoreline with current; smallmouths often hide in rock crevices and rarely venture more than a foot from the rocks to feed.  Locate where tributary streams enter the Mississippi River with electronic printable river maps. Find rock lines and piles near the confluence of these rivers starting in late September, early October for a hot bite.   
• Urban Trout Lakes  - unique trout fishing opportunities for novice and young anglers across the state.  Visit iowadnr.gov/ trout for a list of urban trout lakes and when each will be stocked. Watch the fish being stocked and attempt to catch your first trout.

Find a new favorite fishing spot with the interactive Fishing Atlas. A complete list of places to fall fish in Iowa including lake maps, directions and amenities, is available on the DNR Places to Fish webpage. Check conditions before you go with the weekly Iowa Fishing Report.

 

4 Lures That Walleye Can’t Resist

Elusive and defiant, the walleye has duped even the most determined fanatics for decades. Struggle no more to wrangle in these clever beasts with a few surefire methods.

Leadhead jig
Tip a leadhead jig with a minnow for an excellent spring and fall walleye bait. Depending on the depth of the water you’re fishing, try 1/16 to quarter-ounce jigs with a soft plastic swim bait body in white or shad color. They can be highly effective by vertically jigging or cast them with a slow retrieve.

Slip bobber                     
If you’re anchored, consider a slip bobber rig. Since slip bobbers are intended to be fished with live bait, bait your hook with leeches, minnows or night crawlers.

Bottom Bouncer/spinner rig
To fish off the bottom, you’ll need a weight to get bait to the bottom. This bottom bouncer can be rigged with a chartreuse or red spinner rig in front of live bait. Especially during spring and summer, finish baiting the rig with night crawlers, leeches or minnows.

Minnow-imitating crank bait
There are many varieties to choose from, but the crowd favorite when it comes to crank baits is minnow-shaped. Either troll or cast the minnow-imitating crank bait when you’re stationary, and you’re more likely to have success in warmer water.

Be sure to get the crank baits needed for the depth you want to fish – check the box to see the depth at which the lure runs. Also, make sure the crank bait runs straight. It should not pull to either side, or worse yet, twist in the water. Crank baits that do this are ineffective.

Find more tips for catching walleye on the DNR website.

A Unique Angling Challenge Around Every Bend

You are never far from one of Iowa’s many rivers. Fall is a great time to give them a try.

Small “up-river” segments of interior rivers can be fantastic for walleye and smallmouth bass in early fall. Use crankbaits and spinners to catch smallmouth bass and crankbaits or jigs with crawlers for walleye.

Try the upper Wapsipinicon River (Buchanan and Linn counties) or upper Cedar River (Black Hawk and Bremer counties) for smallmouth bass. The Shell Rock River (Butler and Bremer counties) or upper Cedar Rivers (Black Hawk or Bremer Counties) are a great choice for walleye.

The Missouri and Mississippi rivers boast some of the best flathead catfishing in the Midwest. The Missouri River’s swift current, rocks and snags are good habitat and food is abundant for these predatory catfish. Use live fish as bait; green sunfish and bullheads tend to survive best on the hook.

Several state record fish have been caught on the Missouri River, including the blue catfish (101 pounds) and channel catfish (38 pounds 2 ounces).

Enjoy Iowa’s natural landscapes fishing Iowa’s rivers and streams this fall. An extensive list of Iowa’s rivers, with information on access points and native species, is available on the DNR website. Check conditions before you go with the weekly Iowa Fishing Report.

Summer Tips to Land Iowa's Big Fish

The key to catching big fish is finding places that have big fish. Quickly find the best spots to catch master angler qualifying size fish with the electronic map recently added to DNR Master Angler program website (click on "Map" above the photos) or search for local hotspots by species or location.

Try these simple tips from DNR fisheries biologists to catch large bluegill, bass and crappie during the summer heat at one of these top locations identified through a search on the Master Angler webpage.

Bluegills (10 inches to qualify)

• Farm Ponds – look for ponds surrounded by grass; fish the face of the dam or steep shorelines where the weed line is close to shore; drift or cast small jigs (1/32nd oz.) tipped with a 1-inch piece of worm 6 to 8 feet down; get permission from the landowner before entering.
• West Okoboji Lake, Dickinson County – fish the rock reefs or rocky humps in 20-25 feet of water; jig live bait (small crayfish, Belgium worms, piece of night crawler or leech) with a split shot 8-10 inches above the hook.  
• Big Spirit Lake, Dickinson County – try the outside weed lines and rock piles, drops offs or natural underwater reefs.  
• Twelve Mile Creek Lake, Union County – fish the rock piles or cedar tree brush piles along the roadbed; try also along the weed line.
• East Okoboji Lake, Dickinson County – try the outside weed lines and rock piles, drops offs or natural underwater reefs.    

Largemouth Bass (20 inches to qualify)

• Farm Ponds – use top water lures at the edge of aquatic plants early and late in the day when the air is still; switch to a spinner bait or plastic worm later in the morning or late afternoon next to the weed line or around brush piles; get permission from the landowner before entering.
• West Okoboji Lake, Dickinson County – cast topwater lures, plastic worms, suspended jerk baits, deep diving crank baits or spinner baits near shore or edges of weed lines.
• Big Creek Lake, Polk County – cast topwater lures, plastic worms, suspended jerk baits, deep diving crank baits or spinner baits near shore or edges of weed lines.         
• Lake Anita, Cass County – cast topwater lures, plastic worms, suspended jerk baits, deep diving crank baits or spinner baits near shore or edges of weed lines.
• Badger Creek Lake, Madison County – fish the cedar tree brush piles near the fishing jetties or along the dam. 

Black Crappie (14 inches to qualify)

• Farm Ponds – look for ponds with standing timber or brush piles; fish close to the brush with a minnow under a bobber or cast 1/32nd ounce jigs; get permission from the landowner before entering. 
• Coralville Reservoir, Johnson County –  look for fish suspended on deeper rocks banks  in 8-10 feet of water in the main reservoir; cast larger chartreuse twister tails  and slowly drop down the bank.
• Red Rock Reservoir, Marion County – focus on the Whitebreast arm of the lake or areas with rock (and rip-rap); keep moving along the shoreline until you find fish. 
• Crawford Creek Impoundment, Ida County – drift fish 1/16 ounce chartreuse jigs tipped with a small minnow; try also fishing around the brush piles.
• Lake Macbride, Johnson County – vertical jig a tube jig on the deep side of brush piles right above the thermocline (12 feet); work the outside or deeper end of the brush piles. 

White Crappie (14 inches to qualify)

• Farm Ponds – look for ponds with standing timber or brush piles; fish close to the brush with a minnow under a bobber or cast 1/32nd ounce jigs; get permission from the landowner before entering.
• Red Rock Reservoir, Marion County – focus on the Whitebreast arm of the lake or areas with rock (and rip-rap); keep moving along the shoreline until you find fish.  
• Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County –focus on areas where the shoreline is protected with rip-rap.  
• Lake Macbride, Johnson County – vertical jig a tube jig on the deep side of  brush piles right above the thermocline (12 feet); work the outside or deeper end of the brush piles.
• Coralville Reservoir, Johnson County  – look for fish suspended on deeper rocks banks  in 8-10 feet of water in the main reservoir; cast chartreuse twister tails and slowly drop down the bank.

For information on how to submit a Master Angler entry including a list of the 41 fish species eligible and minimum lengths, visit the Master Angler website.

Come Fish with Us at the Iowa State Fair

Stop by the Iowa DNR building to see the Iowa fish in the historic aquarium. Built in 1921, the wrap-around aquarium is the focal point of the pavilion, filled with Iowa fish of all shapes, sizes and species.

Learn the basics of fishing at these fun presentations (the whole courtyard schedule is available at iowadnr.gov/IowaStateFair):

Saturday, August 13
Fishing Day in the courtyard begins with a question and answer session with Fisheries Bureau Chief Joe Larscheid, followed by an instructional presentation for kids who want to learn to fish. In the afternoon, you can get the scoop on primitive fish or get a close up look at real Iowa turtles.


Friday, August 19
The art of fishing is as intricate it is enticing, so come by on Friday for a second helping of fishing guidance and encouragement. Fisheries Bureau Chief Joe Larscheid returns for another discussion in the morning, and be sure to check out the live turtles native to Iowa in the afternoon. Kids are encouraged to join us at 11 a.m. for more fishing basics.

Hooking Summer Catfish

Start a new family tradition this summer – go fishing for catfish. Bring along two coolers with ice, one to keep your bait firm and fresh and another to keep your catch cold and preserve that great taste.

Catfish tend to be more active in warmer weather. They are in every stream of any size and in all lakes and many farm ponds.

A catfish’s sense of smell and taste is tremendous. Try prepared dip baits, chicken livers, minnows or chubs, green sunfish, bluegill, crawdads, frogs, night crawlers or dead, but fresh, gizzard shad.

Lakes stratify, or form layers, this time of year, with cool, oxygen-deprived waters sinking to the bottom. Do not fish in water deeper than 8 to 10 feet. Look for areas with vegetation, brush piles or rock. Fish the upper ends of the larger reservoirs where the water is shallower and baitfish like gizzard shad gather. Fish baits on the bottom or suspended off the bottom with a bobber and let current or breeze move the bait to find active catfish.

Rivers in Iowa are loaded with catfish. Look for fish around downed trees and brush piles, but don’t overlook rock piles or other objects that deflect water and form a current seam. Position your bait just upstream of brush piles so the scent of the bait is carried downstream into the structure drawing the catfish out. Use a heavy weight to anchor the bait so it doesn’t drift into snags. If fishing the big rivers, try upstream and on the tips of wing dykes and wing dams on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

 Find more tips for catching catfish on the DNR website.

Gone Fishing for Summer

Summer is all about relaxing with family and friends. Add fishing to your list of summer activities. Plan a day trip or bring along fishing gear on your next weekend getaway or camping trip.

“Fish are still biting, even in the middle of a sticky Iowa summer,” said Joe Larscheid, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Bureau. Like anglers, fish adjust to the heat, too. “The key is being in the right place, even when the thermometer says it’s too hot to fish.”

The best fishing is early in the morning or later in the evening and after dark. Avoid the brightest, hottest part of the day. Fish might cruise the shoreline early in the morning, but will seek cover in deeper water as the sun starts beating down on the water. “Some of our best fishing is after dark,” reminds Larscheid. 

Look for fish in weed beds or structure, near shade during the day. They often are suspended in deeper water, just above the thermocline - a midsummer phenomenon many lakes develop creating two distinct layers.  Below the thermocline, often 8 to 10 or 12 feet deep, oxygen is nearly nonexistent.  Many fish suspend just above the thermocline, where temperatures and light conditions are tolerable, and where oxygen levels are sufficient. 

“When the water heats up, we really see the white bass and wipers come on,” said Larscheid.  “Hot weather is also a good time to catch big channel catfish and largemouth bass.”

White bass are active in the summer in the flood control reservoirs (Coralville, RedRock, Rathbun and Saylorville). Calm days are the best to fish for white bass because the seagulls can see the shad easier and will be feeding on them. Follow the seagulls to spot white bass. Telltale splashes on the water surface are good signs, too, as the shad leap from the water trying to escape.

“Bluegills spawn several times during the summer, so stay shallow, looking for them,” advises Larscheid.  Largemouth bass and channel catfish can be found close to shore. Look for bass near cover; stumps, wood structure. “Bass and bluegills will also use vegetation for cover and shade. It also holds a variety of zooplankton and insects which attract baitfish.”

Find a great place to fish close to home on the DNR website along with tipsfor catching specific fish species this summer.

Holstein Teacher Recognized for Outstanding Fishing Program

Justin Kinney, physical education and health instructor at Ridge View High School in Holstein, is the 2016 recipient of the Brass Bluegill award from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fish Iowa! program.

Kinney first learned about Fish Iowa! from the elementary physical education teacher. Kinney, Matt Best, and elementary principal Mike Richard were trained in April of 2015 and integrated fishing instruction into both the fifth grade PE and high school general PE classes that spring. High school students learned the basics then headed to local ponds for practice. Their final outing was at Crawford Creek and involved fishing and a picnic with fifth grade students, who had also been learning basics in their PE classes. About 80 high school students served as mentors to some 50 fifth graders.

Kinney, Best, and Richard attended more Fish Iowa! training in June 2015 and discussed options to expand their efforts. Besides fine tuning the basic fishing program, Kinney developed an additional course that encompasses a host of “Outdoor Education” components. The new course includes fishing, trapping, outdoor cooking, shooting, tomahawking, hunter safety, survival skills, orienteering, camping and more. It provides a host of hands-on opportunities that extend the basic introductory unit provided through general physical education courses. Each trimester-long class will accommodate 15 -20 students; 45 - 60 seniors will participate this year. The course will culminate in a trip to the Boundary Waters.

Kinney describes support for the new class as “mind blowing,” from Principal Richard to the superintendent, to the Board of Education, to parents and the community overall. He received a grant from the Ida County Community Betterment Foundation, but individuals, businesses and organizations have also given equipment, services and money - one parent donated $1,000; a business provided eight rifles at cost; and donations keep coming. Kinney credits the outpouring to an overall desire to help students “unplug” from technology.
Kinney grew up near the Mississippi River by St. Louis “doing all things outdoors” with his family and friends, but for him it is not about the skills. The outdoors provides a venue where people can connect.

“It’s really not about the fishing or other outdoor activities – it’s about the relationships. Relationships we build with our students. Relationships they build with each other,” Kinney said. “And hopefully, someday relationships they will build with the next generation through outdoor activities. Relationships are the key to successful students becoming men and women of character. That’s what we try to build here at Ridge View.”

As an administrator (and avid outdoorsman), Richard says the program has been easy to support because Mr. Kinney brings his "passion to the table" and his enthusiasm for the outdoors is contagious. “Students experience fun hands-on learning activities related to the outdoors that they can enjoy the rest of their lives,” Richard added. “The extended benefit is a generation that cares about the great land and water resources we have in Iowa.” He describes his experience watching high school students mentor fifth graders, “One boy was smiling ear to ear as his mentor helped him catch his first fish, a bluegill. Like Mr. Kinney said, it truly is all about relationships.”

Kinney created a Facebook® page to share student experiences with the community. Other teachers have been inspired by the success at Ridge View schools and are looking to create similar efforts. Kinney will present the program’s status and what they have learned at the Iowa Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (IAHPERD) annual conference in June.

Kinney was presented his award at the Natural Resources Commission Meeting in Otho on June 9. Richard and Best were also recognized for their role in establishing and supporting the program at the elementary level.

The Brass Bluegill award has been presented each year since 1996 to an instructor who has established an outstanding local program that exemplifies the goals of Fish Iowa!