Photo credit
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing veterans at Rapidan Camp, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. Photo: N. Lewis, National Park Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Iowa fishing licenses for veterans
What Iowa Department of Natural Resources says about free or reduced fishing licenses for veterans, disabled veterans, service members and their families.
What the agency says
Disabled veterans
Lifetime hunting and fishing licence for resident veterans with a service-connected disability, by application.
A lifetime hunting and fishing license for veterans who have a service connected disability or were POW's.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, read October 20, 2026Former prisoners of war
Former prisoners of war are also eligible for the veterans lifetime hunting and fishing licence.
A lifetime hunting and fishing license for veterans who have a service connected disability or were POW's.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, read October 20, 2026Residents serving away, home on leave
Iowa-resident active-duty personnel on leave from an out-of-state duty station may fish without a licence, carrying leave papers.
Military personnel on active duty with the armed forces of the United States, on authorized leave from a duty station located outside of this state, and a legal resident of this state, may hunt or fish without a license.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, read October 20, 2026
Iowa Department of Natural Resources: licenses
Quoted from the agency's own page; rules, ratings and fees change, so confirm with the agency before you buy.