Iowa Fishing License 2026: Fees, Trout Fee, Bonus Line & Free Weekend
Iowa 2026 fishing license fees, trout fee, bonus line rules, youth exemptions, free fishing weekend dates, and official DNR purchase links — verified and current.
Iowa anglers 16 and older need a base fishing license, but the two add-ons families and visitors miss most are the Trout Fee and the Bonus Line permit — neither is bundled into the annual license. A child under 16 can fish for and possess trout without a separate Trout Fee only when accompanied by a licensed adult who has paid the Trout Fee, and only while sharing that adult’s daily trout limit. If the child wants a separate trout limit, buy the child their own Trout Fee.
A third fishing line always requires the separate Bonus Line permit, whether the angler is resident or nonresident, annual or short-term license holder. Iowa’s 2026 Free Fishing Weekend runs June 5–7 for residents only — it waives the license and trout fee for those three days but does not waive bag limits, seasons, gear rules, or water-specific regulations.
Iowa’s current fee schedule already reflects a fee increase that took effect June 17, 2026 (the first change since 2019, capped at the 5% legal maximum). A second increase is proposed for December 2027, so treat 2026 prices as accurate through this year but expect a small bump next cycle.
Iowa Trout, Line, and Youth Rules
| Topic | What to check |
|---|---|
| Under-16 trout limit | No base license needed under 16; a separate trout limit requires the child to hold their own Trout Fee. |
| Trout Fee | Required for any angler — resident or nonresident, any age — who fishes for or possesses trout in Iowa. |
| Bonus Line | Third-line permit sold separately from the base license and from the Trout Fee; same $14 price for residents and nonresidents. |
| Free Fishing Weekend | June 5–7, 2026, Iowa residents only; waives license/trout fee, not other regulations. |
2026 Iowa Price Rows
Use the Iowa DNR fishing license page to confirm current fees, and Go Outdoors Iowa to complete the actual purchase — that receipt is the authoritative record of what you paid.
| Product | Resident | Nonresident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fishing license (16+) | $22.00 | $48.00 | Base annual fishing row. |
| Angler’s Special – 3-Year Fishing | $62.00 | Resident-only multi-year option. | |
| Outdoor Combo (hunting/fishing/habitat) | $55.00 | Resident combo bundling fishing with hunting and habitat fee. | |
| Trout Fee | $14.50 | $17.50 | Add when fishing for or possessing trout. |
| Bonus Line / third line | $14.00 | $14.00 | Allows a third fishing line where legal for the water. |
| One-day fishing license | $10.50 | $12.00 | Short-trip base license row. |
| Three-day fishing license | $20.50 | Visitor short-trip row. | |
| Seven-day fishing license | $15.50 | $37.50 | Week-style row before trout or line add-ons. |
| Boundary Water Trotline | $26.00 | $49.50 | For boundary-river trotline use only. |
| Lifetime fishing, age 65+ | $61.50 | Resident lifetime base fishing row. | |
| Lifetime Trout Fee, age 65+ | $65.00 | Resident lifetime trout row. |
Prices above reflect the fee schedule in effect since June 17, 2026. A modest further increase is proposed for December 2027 — recheck the DNR page before that date.
FAQs
Can an Iowa child under 16 fish for trout without buying a Trout Fee?
Yes, but only when accompanied by a licensed adult who has paid the Trout Fee, and only while sharing that adult’s daily trout limit. Buy the child a separate Trout Fee if they need an individual limit.
What does the Iowa Bonus Line permit add?
It adds a third fishing line where that setup is legal for the water. It’s a standalone $14 product, separate from the annual fishing license and separate from the Trout Fee.
What are Iowa’s Free Fishing Weekend dates for 2026?
June 5, 6, and 7, 2026, for Iowa residents only. Bag limits, trout rules, line rules, seasons, and water-specific regulations still apply during the waiver period.
Did Iowa fishing license fees change in 2026?
Yes. Fees rose modestly (capped at 5%) effective June 17, 2026 — the first increase since 2019. The prices in the table above already include that adjustment. A separate proposal would raise fees again starting December 2027.
