(Lewis) As 2025 wraps up and 2026 nears, DNR Fisheries Biologist John Lorenzen takes a moment to reflect and share some remarkable harvest numbers and state record fish. Lorenzen reports that two new record fish were caught in southwest Iowa: a 24.1-pound Longnose Gar from the Missouri River, and a 105-pound Catfish, also pulled from the Missouri River.
Lorenzen admits many of the DNR’s statewide numbers, such as the number of hunting and fishing licenses sold, will not be released until next month because the 2025 licenses are valid until January 10. However, he does have some harvest numbers that can be released.
*Turkeys harvested in 2025-15,746
Deer harvested as of December 22, 87,614, including 38,649 does, and 39,214 Bucks.
Lorenzen says 265 deer have been harvested in Cass County, including 185 being antlered Bucks. He says this compares to the following.
*2024-184
*2023-255
*2022-306
*2021-339
*2020-353
Lorenzen did not have harvest numbers for upland game yet, but he said that going into 205, the pheasant harvest came in at a 20-year high across the state. He says he is looking forward to seeing the finals results next month.
