Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) has long been recognized as a statewide leader in aquatic conservation, working to restore streams, improve fish habitat, and strengthen the resilience of Iowa’s watersheds. Through its fisheries management offices, habitat programs, and collaborative watershed initiatives, the Iowa DNR is committed to improving water quality, reconnecting river systems, and supporting thriving fish populations across the state. 

Their work aligns closely with the mission of the Fishers & Farmers Partnership (FFP), where Iowa DNR staff have served for years on the Steering Committee—including leadership roles that help guide the partnership’s farmer‑focused conservation efforts. 

A Mission Built on Science, Stewardship, and Access

Iowa DNR’s Fisheries Management Program oversees multiple regional offices, a research program, and on‑the‑ground teams dedicated to improving stream and lake habitat. Their core mission is simple but ambitious: improve fishing in Iowa by enhancing fish habitat, managing sport fisheries, restoring water bodies, and ensuring healthy aquatic ecosystems statewide. 

Through science-based monitoring and community partnerships, Iowa DNR works to: 

• Protect and restore native fish habitat
• Manage fish populations through research-driven strategies 
• Enhance recreational access and angling opportunities 
• Restore natural stream connectivity 
• Address watershed-scale challenges that affect fish and water quality 

These efforts support both ecological outcomes and local communities, reflecting a balanced conservation approach shared by FFP. 

Investing in Habitat: Iowa’s Fish Habitat Program

A central pillar of Iowa DNR’s conservation work is the Fish Habitat Program, which provides up to 90% cost-share funding to county conservation boards for land acquisition and habitat development. 

Eligible projects include: 

• Placing habitat structures in streams, lakes, and ponds 
• Armoring eroded banks and shorelines 
• Constructing aeration systems, fish ladders, or fish barriers 
• Removing or repairing dams 
• Restoring shallow lakes and enhancing spawning areas 
• Acquiring land to protect fishable streams and watersheds 

These initiatives support long-term ecological resilience, stronger sport fisheries, and better water quality across Iowa.  

Hands-On Restoration: Stream and Lake Habitat Enhancements 

Iowa DNR fisheries teams carry out extensive habitat projects statewide—including tree piles, rock reefs, spawning beds, bank hides, and underwater structures designed to increase shelter, spawning success, and fish diversity. These enhancements are strategically placed based on lake depth, natural contours, species behavior, and angler access. 

This detailed, site-specific work ensures that Iowa waters support healthy, diverse fish populations—and that anglers benefit from improved fishing experiences. 

A Key Partner in FFP’s Fish Passage Project

Within the Fishers & Farmers Partnership, Iowa DNR played a central role in the Rock Creek Fish Passage Project in Mitchell County—FFP’s first funded fish passage initiative. Working alongside the Mitchell County Conservation Board and local landowner Everett Wrage, Iowa DNR helped remove a low-head dam and redesign the structure to successfully reconnect more than 10 miles of upstream habitat. 

Although the initial installation failed due to contractor errors, Iowa DNR provided technical leadership, engineering guidance, and post‑monitoring assessments that ultimately delivered a corrected, successful fish passage. 

Following reconstruction, Iowa DNR’s monitoring revealed: 

• Increased fish species diversity 
• Improved Fish Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) scores 
• Clear evidence that native fish were recolonizing upstream habitat 

These results underscore Iowa DNR’s deep technical expertise and long-term commitment to fish habitat restoration.  

Leadership Within the Fishers & Farmers Partnership

Iowa DNR staff have served on the Fishers & Farmers Partnership Steering Committee, helping guide strategy, funding, and watershed engagement across the Upper Mississippi River Basin. Their leadership ensures that: 

• Fish habitat priorities remain central to FFP’s work
• Science-driven monitoring informs decision-making 
• Agencies and landowners collaborate effectively 
• Fish passage and aquatic ecosystem health are elevated across the region 

A Culture of Collaboration

In Iowa, successful conservation depends on collaboration—not only with landowners, but with organizations like county conservation boards, watershed groups, and regional partners. Iowa DNR’s involvement in Rock Creek is a clear example: they worked directly with a private landowner, a local conservation board, and FFP to fix a damaged stream system and restore ecological function. 

As Iowa faces increasing pressures from land use changes, climate variability, and aging infrastructure, Iowa DNR continues to expand its habitat work through: 

• Stream restoration projects 
• Watershed-scale partnerships 
• Shallow lake restorations 
• Fish habitat funding programs 
• Research on long-term aquatic health 

Through these efforts, Iowa DNR ensures that Iowa’s waters remain resilient, productive, and vibrant for generations to come.