The Recreational Boating
& Fishing Foundation (RBFF) is searching for the top 100 family fishing and
boating spots across the nation, and four Iowa state parks are among those
being considered. Iowans participating in the vote can ensure their
favorite places to boat and fish are recognized nationally.
Iowa locations include Lake Macbride (Solon), Lake Pahoja (west of Larchwood), Little River Watershed Lake
(west of Leon) and Green Valley Lake (northwest of Creston). Entrants can
vote daily until March 27 for the three parks they feel offer the best experience
based on family amenities, location and the likeliness to catch a fish or enjoy
a day on the water. The parks with the most votes will be placed on the 2016
America’s Top 100 Family Fishing and Boating Spots list.
To learn more about the
sweepstakes and to vote for your favorite parks, go to www.takemefishing.org.
Visit the Iowa DNR website for more information
about each Iowa location including amenities, popular fish species and fish
stocking information.
The
Iowa Department of Natural Resources will release trout in ten locations in
areas that would not support them during warmer months.
Bringing trout to cities and
towns offers a “close to home” way for Iowans who might not normally travel to
northeast Iowa to discover trout fishing. A family friendly event is often
paired with the stocking to help anglers have success and fun while fishing.
The
popular program is supported by the sales of the trout fee. Anglers 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.
Once you have purchased your
trout fee, it can be used all year long to fish any of the urban lakes and
trout streams in Northeast Iowa.
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.
2016 Spring Urban Trout Stocking Schedule
March 11
10:30 am: Urban
Trout Stocking - Lake of the Hills, Davenport
April 1
10:00 am: Urban Trout Stocking - DiscoveryPark, Muscatine
12:00 pm: Urban Trout Stocking - Wilson Lake, east of Donnellson
April 9
10:00 am: Urban Trout Stocking and Family Fishing Event -
North Prairie Lake, Cedar Falls
12:00 pm: Urban Trout Stocking and Family Fishing Event - Banner Lake South,
north of Indianola
April 16
9:30 am: Urban Trout
Stocking and Family Fishing Event - Prairie Park, Cedar Rapids
April 23
10:30 am: Urban Trout
Stocking and Family Fishing Event - Heritage Pond, Dubuque
11:00 am: Urban Trout Stocking and Family Fishing Event - Sand Lake,
Marshalltown
Check out the new Fishing Education page on the Iowa DNR website. Find resources to help you teach others how to fish along with basic fishing tips and information about Iowa's 148 fish species.
Studies show that kids who start fishing at an early age are less likely to get into trouble as teenagers. All the more reason as educators and parents we need to get our kids "hooked" on fishing!
Get trained in Fish Iowa! and utilize these great resources to teach your students how to fish. Over 3,400 free-loan rods and reels are available at over 100 locations around Iowa.
Contact Barb Gigar, western Iowa training specialist at 515-494-3891 or Holly Schulte, eastern Iowa training specialist at 563-927-3276 to schedule a training session.
