Iowa residents may fish without a license on June 4 and 5 as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources free fishing weekend. All other regulations remain the same.

DNR Chief of Fisheries Bureau Joe Larscheid says the free fishing weekend is a great opportunity to encourage Iowans to reconnect with fishing.

The DNR’s  hope is that free fishing weekend will inspire anglers to invest in an annual fishing license. According to officials the investment allows the Iowa DNR Fisheries Bureau to produce and stock more than 160 million fish annually, conduct research studies to manage fish more effectively, construct fish habitat, improve water quality, restore lakes with a history of poor fishing and improve access for anglers.