Just as Iowa’s state parks are able to open more amenities in the upcoming weekend, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources invites everyone to enjoy free fishing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. “Grab your tackle box, take the family and get your lines in the water this weekend,” says Joe Larscheid, chief of the DNR’s Fisheries Bureau. “Enjoy your time together, make lasting memories and put your worries behind you,” he says. With hundreds of lakes, thousands of miles of rivers and neighborhood ponds, it is not too hard to find a fishing spot that allows people to spread out and practice social distancing. A link to the state’s stocked lakes and ponds can be found below. In addition, the DNR will be able to open lodges and shelter houses on Saturday, June 6 with groups limited to 50 percent of capacity. All visitors must still follow social distancing guidelines. Playgrounds are opened as well, but the DNR is not sanitizing these and urges discretion. Youth and group camps are now open and the campgrounds are able to allow campers to have day visitors. State park museums and visitor centers are dependent on volunteers, many of these in high-risk categories for more significant symptoms of the coronavirus. For this reason, there are varying plans on reopening of these sites based on staffing and the ability to maintain appropriate physical distances. Everyone is encouraged to call ahead and confirm the location’s status.
Link to stocked lakes and ponds atlas: www.iowadnr.gov/fishlocal
