IA DNR: Licenses

A holder of an aquaculture unit license may possess, propagate, buy, sell, deal in, and transport the aquatic organisms produced from breeding stock legally acquired, including minnows. Also, a license holder may be an owner or operator of a pond where guests or customers are allowed to fish for a fee, or allowed to take fish without regard to angling licenses, seasons, gear restrictions, or bag limits.

Aquaculture unit license application information here
Additional aquaculture unit information on DNR Fisheries web site here

Bait Dealers--Retail (*.pdf file | *.xls file)

A licensed person who sells minnows, frogs, crayfish, salamanders, and mussels retail for fish bait.

Purchase retail bait dealer license online here
Bait dealer regulations here

Bait Dealers--Wholesale (*.pdf file | *.xls file)

A licensed person who resells minnows, frogs, crayfish, salamanders, and mussels wholesale for further distribution to retail customers.

Wholesale bait dealer application information here

Fur Dealers (*.pdf file | *.xls file)

Any person, firm, partnership, or corporation engaged in the business of buying, bartering, trading or otherwise obtaining raw hides or skins of fur-bearing animals.

Fur dealer license application here

Taxidermists (*.pdf file | *.xls file)

A license for the practice of taxidermy of game, fish, or fur-bearing animals that have been lawfully taken.

Purchase taxidermy license online here

Wildlife Rehabilitators (*.pdf file) | *.xls file)

A license to take and temporarily possess injured, sick, or orphaned state-protected species of birds, mammals, amphibians, or reptiles with the intent to return the animal to its natural habitat as soon as possible.

Wildlife rehabilitator application here

Additional Applications--Professional and Commercial

Aquaculture Unit License Application (*.pdf file)

A holder of an aquaculture unit license may possess, propagate, buy, sell, deal in, and transport the aquatic organisms produced from breeding stock legally acquired, including minnows. Also, a license holder may be an owner or operator of a pond where guests or customers are allowed to fish for a fee or allowed to take fish without regard to angling licenses, seasons, gear restrictions, or bag limits.

Bait Dealer (Wholesale) License Application (*.pdf file)

A wholesale bait dealer may resell minnows, frogs, crayfish, etc. to Iowa retail bait shops for further distribution to their retail customers.

Commercial Fisherman License Application (*.pdf file)

A person may take fish for commercial purposes from the water of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.

Commercial Turtle License Application (*.pdf file)

A commercial turtle license is required to take, possess, or sell more than 100 pounds of live or 50 pounds of dressed turtles. The holder of a commercial turtle license may sell live or dressed turtles. It shall be unlawful for any non-resident to take turtles in Iowa by any method except from the Mississippi, Missouri, and Big Sioux rivers.

Educational Project Permit Application (*.pdf file)

A permit for protected live birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, or invertebrate species other than raptors may be issued to any university, college, school, county conservation board, public agency, other organization, or person engaged in a natural resource education program approved by the Department of Natural Resources. A permit for raptors may be issued under special circumstances.

Fish Importation Permit Application *.pdf file (Also available as a *.doc file)

A Fish Importation Permit is required to receive, propagate or sell in the state any aquaculture species not listed in subrule 89.1(1) (Approved Aquaculture Species). In addition, aquaculture units shall not import live fish, viable eggs, or semen from any species of the salmonids family (trout, salmon, or char) and ictalurid family (catfishes and bullheads), unless the owner or operator possesses a fish importation permit. For more information, visit Chapter 89: Approved Aquaculture Species (off-site)

Fur Dealer License Application (*.pdf file)

Any person, firm, partnership, or corporation engaged in the business of buying, bartering, trading, or otherwise obtaining raw hides or skins of fur-bearing animals.

Game Breeder License Application (*.pdf file)

A person who possesses, raises, and sells game birds, game animals and fur-bearing animals whose original stock is obtained from a lawful source. This does not include any species that are defined as endangered or threatened under state law. It does not include exotic birds or animals.

Scientific Collector Permit Application (*.pdf file)

A scientific collector's license may, after investigation, be issued to any university, college, or other person engaged in a scientific project approved by the Department of Natural Resources.

Solid Waste Operator Certification - Examination Application (*.pdf file)

An application for individuals interested in taking an exam to obtain either a Sanitary Landfill Operator Certificate or Solid Waste Incinerator Operator Certificate.

Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit Application (*.pdf file)

A permit which authorizes the holder to take and temporarily possess injured, sick, or orphaned state-protected species of birds, mammals, amphibians, or reptiles with the intent to return the animal to its natural habitat as soon as possible.

Wildlife Salvage Permit Application (*.pdf file)

A permit for state-protected species of birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, or invertebrates which have died as a result of natural causes or accidents. It may be issued to any university, college, school, county conservation board, public agency, other organization, or person engaged in a natural resource education program approved by the Department of Natural Resources.