Licenses Expire Jan. 10

Hunters and anglers are encouraged to purchase their 2018 license before their 2017 license expires. Annual Iowa hunting and fishing licenses expire on Jan. 10. License holders who purchased the three year option should check the date range printed on their license for expiration.

2017 Seasons Begin Closing Jan. 10

Small Game

Pheasant: Jan. 10

Quail, gray partridge, ruffed grouse and squirrel: Jan. 31

Cottontail rabbit: Feb. 28

Deer

Nonresident holiday season: Jan. 2

Late muzzleloader and archery: Jan. 10

Turkey

Archery: Jan. 10

Waterfowl

Duck seasons are closed in all zones.

North Zone – Dark Geese, including Canada geese, Brant and white-fronted geese: Jan. 1; Light Geese, including white and blue phase snow geese and Ross’ geese: Jan. 10.

South Zone – Dark Geese, including Canada geese, Brant and white-fronted geese: Jan. 15; Light Geese, including white and blue phase snow geese and Ross’ geese: Jan. 24.

Missouri River Zone – Dark Geese, including Canada geese, Brant and white-fronted geese: Jan. 15; Light Geese, including white and blue phase snow geese and Ross’ geese: Jan. 24.

Furbearer

Hunting and trapping – Raccoon, opossum, badger, striped skunk, fox, bobcat: Jan. 31

Trapping – Otter, mink, muskrat, weasel, coyote: Jan. 31

Hunting, trapping opportunities available through winter

Crow season opens Jan. 14 and closes on March 31

Special light goose conservation order for white and blue phase snow geese and Ross’ geese: Jan. 25-April 15.

Beaver trapping season closes April 15.

Coyote: Continuous open

Groundhog: Continuous open

Pigeon: Continuous open

Winter urban trout stocking starts Jan. 13

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will release trout in seven locations this winter in areas that would not support them during warmer months. These winter stockings are a great place to take kids to catch their first fish. A family friendly event is paired with most of the stockings 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.

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.

Winter stocking events are dependent on favorable weather and ice conditions. Check the DNR Trout Fishing website at www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/Trout-Fishing for possible changes.

2018 Winter Trout Stocking Schedule

• Jan. 13, Blue Pit, Mason City, at 11 a.m.
• Jan. 13, Scharnberg Pond, Spencer, at 12:30 p.m.
• Jan. 20, Moorland Pond, Fort Dodge, at 9:30 a.m.
• Jan. 20, Big Lake, Council Bluffs, at Noon
• Jan. 27, Lake Petoka, Bondurant, at Noon
• Jan. 27, Bacon Creek, Sioux City, at 2 p.m.
• Feb. 3, Ada Hayden, Ames, at Noon.