Fish Habitat Program
Fish Habitat Program supports Iowa County Conservation Boards in acquiring land and developing habitat projects to create, sustain, or improve fish habitat in ponds, lakes, streams, and watersheds.
Funder: Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Due Dates: November 30, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. (Applications) | January 15, 2027 (District selection) | January 22, 2027 (Forwarding to DNR)
Funding Amounts: Approximately $70,000 available this cycle; up to 90% of eligible costs; completion within 24 months
Summary: Supports Iowa County Conservation Boards in acquiring land and developing fish habitat in ponds, lakes, streams, and associated watersheds.
Key Information: Projects must allow public fishing, and development sites must remain under county control throughout the project's expected life.
Description
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fish Habitat Program assists County Conservation Boards with land acquisition and development that creates, sustains, or improves fish habitat. Supported work includes habitat placement, shoreline protection, aeration, dredging, sediment control, pond and lake construction, dam and outlet repairs, fish population and aquatic vegetation management, dam removal, and fish passage structures.
Acquisition funding supports land for pond and lake construction, fishable streams and waters, and watershed protection. Proposals must identify fish habitat as their principal benefit; secondary benefits such as boating or angling access do not independently justify funding. County Conservation Board District committees review and rank projects, with funding recommendations submitted to the Natural Resource Commission for approval.
