Hunting/Fishing Licenses

Learn to Hunt

Report Your Harvest

Hunting/Fishing Licenses

Current Fishing Report

Taking Kids Fishing

Iowa's natural resources plates include the state bird and flower, pheasant, eagle, buck and a Brook trout. Support conservation in Iowa by buying a natural resource plate for your vehicle. Natural Resource Plates

Experience Iowa's natural beauty and all the fun our state parks offer. Make your online reservation for state park cabins, camping sites, shelters and lodges.

Support conservation in Iowa by buying a natural resource plate for your vehicle.

Natural Resource Plates

Iowa DNR Customer Service Mon - Fri, 8:00am - 4:30pm CST p: 515-725-8200 f: 515-725-8201 Submit Online Inquiry Information / Records Requests Contact Information by County

Boating Registration

Boating Registration

Boating Registration

Boat owners must register their vessel with the Department of Natural Resources. Vessels registered in Iowa, must display their current registration decals and the Iowa issued registration numbers provided by the County Recorder. In addition, the operator must carry the registration certificate on board. Registrations must be renewed every three years and are nontransferable. These can be acquired starting January 1st of the new registration cycle and are valid for three years.

All Iowa registrations expire April 30th of the renewal year. An example, the current registration expires in April of 2019. A $5.00 penalty is added to the renewal cost for an expired Iowa registration. There is no grace period.

Residents can obtain registrations and renewals from a County Recorder Office. Nonresidents can obtain registration from their home state or an Iowa registration from the County Recorder's in the County of primary use.

Registration Information

Ready to register your vessel? You must have the following:

Where do I send my registration paperwork? New registration and renewals are sent to the county recorder in the county in which you reside. Iowa County Recorders

Needing to store your vessel somewhere for the winter or for the season? Boating: Affidavit to Store Registered Vessel (Form #542-8048)

Have a vessel that you are unable to obtain the proper paperwork (as listed above)? Visit our vehicle or vessel bonding page for complete instructions and how to contact the DNR to start the bonding process.

Do you want to be a boat dealer in Iowa? Boat Dealer or Manufacturer Special Certificates Application (Form #542-0488)

List of Iowa Boat Dealers

Registration Decals and Iowa registration numbers display: