(Lewis) Iowa remains a popular destination for hunting and fishing, attracting tens of thousands of non-resident visitors each year. During Saturday’s KSOM DNR report, Southwest Iowa Fisheries Biologist John Lorenzen shared updated license sales data highlighting that interest.
Lorenzen reported that 61,564 non-resident fishing licenses were sold in 2025, including annual, seven-day, and one-day options. In addition, 28,698 non-resident hunting licenses—both annual and five-day—were purchased during the year.
Lorenzen noted that non-resident hunters and anglers contribute significantly to local economies.
According to Iowa State University research from 2022, along with data from the 2019 Iowa Angler Survey, non-resident hunters spent an average of $44 per day on single-day trips and $137 per day on overnight trips, benefiting local businesses.
He also said two lakes in southwest Iowa ranked among the top five most-visited by residents of neighboring states. Both Lake Manawa and Carter Lake made the list, further underscoring the region’s appeal to out-of-state outdoor enthusiasts.
