Iowa charges for the third rod. The Bonus Line permit costs fourteen dollars and is required to fish a third line, and it costs the same whether you live in Iowa or not. The trout fee is separate again. At twenty-two dollars the resident annual is good value, and the lifetime licence at sixty-one fifty for residents sixty-five and over ends the question for good.
What it costs you
Set your situation and the figure below is the one you will actually pay at checkout.
Every Iowa fishing fee
Annual licences run by calendar year.
| Licence | Who | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-day | Resident | 1 day | $10.50 |
| One-day | Visitor | 1 day | $12.00 |
| Three-day | Visitor | 3 days | $20.50 |
| Seven-day | Resident | 7 days | $15.50 |
| Seven-day | Visitor | 7 days | $37.50 |
| Veterans fishing licence | Resident | Annual | $7.00 |
| Veterans hunting and fishing combo | Resident | Annual | $7.00 |
| Annual, 16 and over | Resident | Annual | $22.00 |
| Annual, 16 and over | Visitor | Annual | $48.00 |
| Fishing, hunting and habitat fee combo | Resident | Annual | $55.00 |
| Three-year | Resident | 3 years | $62.00 |
| Lifetime, 65 and over | Resident | Lifetime | $61.50 |
Fishing a third rod needs its own permit in Iowa, and it costs the same whether you live there or not.
Stamps and add-ons
The base licence is often not the whole ticket. These are the Iowa extras, and missing one is the commonest way to get written up with a valid licence in your pocket.
| Add-on | When you need it | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Trout fee | $17.50 for visitors. A lifetime trout fee for residents 65 and over costs $65.00. | $14.50 |
| Third fishing line permit | Same price for residents and visitors. | $14.00 |
| Paddlefish licence and tag | $49.00 for visitors. | $25.50 |
Who fishes free in Iowa
- Anglers under 16.
- Everyone on the state free fishing weekend.
Exemptions are narrower than they sound and the burden of proof is on you. Carry whatever document the exemption rests on.
How to buy it
Iowa Department of Natural Resources sells online, by phone and through licence agents: tackle shops, sporting goods stores and county offices. Buying online takes about ten minutes and you can print or screenshot the confirmation immediately.
Official Iowa DNR licensing page →
We link the agency and never resell licences. If a site charges you a "processing fee" on top of the state fee, you are not on the state's own system.
Where to use it
We track 14 Iowa waters daily, with live flow, tides and conditions. A sample of what your licence covers:
- Lake Okoboji — Dickinson County
- Rathbun Lake — Appanoose County
- Spirit Lake — Dickinson County
- Mississippi River Pool 9 — Allamakee County
- Lake MacBride — Johnson County
- Coralville Lake — Johnson County
- Clear Lake — Cerro Gordo County
- East Okoboji Lake — Dickinson County
- Storm Lake — Buena Vista County
- Saylorville Lake — Polk County
- Red Rock Lake — Marion County
- Cedar River — Linn County
Questions
How much is a fishing licence in Iowa?
$22.00 for a resident annual all waters licence and $48.00 for a non-resident. Stamps and endorsements cost extra where the species or water calls for one.
What age do you need a fishing licence in Iowa?
From age 16. Anglers under 16 fish without one, though some states still require a catch record card.
Can I buy a Iowa fishing licence online?
Yes. Iowa Department of Natural Resources sells online and through licence agents. Buy before you rig up and keep the confirmation on your phone: wardens check ramps at dawn.
Can I fish three rods in Iowa?
Only with the Bonus Line permit, which costs $14.00 and is priced the same for residents and visitors. Two lines are covered by the licence.
Is there a lifetime fishing licence in Iowa?
Yes, for residents aged 65 and over: $61.50, with a separate $65.00 lifetime trout fee if you want it.