The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is bringing trout fishing opportunities to communities across the state this fall, with plans to release 1,500 trout at each of 20 locations as part of its 2026 Fall Community Trout Stocking Program.
The program brings trout to ponds and lakes that typically cannot support the fish during the warmer summer months. Cooler fall temperatures provide anglers with an opportunity to enjoy trout fishing closer to home.
Anglers will need a valid Iowa fishing license and trout fee to participate.
The statewide stocking schedule begins October 23 in Ames and Bondurant and continues through November 24 in Mason City. Several communities will host stockings throughout the coming weeks, including Ottumwa.
The Iowa DNR is scheduled to stock Ottumwa Park Pond at 11 a.m. Monday, November 2. Other nearby stops include Marr Park Pond near Ainsworth on October 31 and Liberty Centre Pond in North Liberty on November 2.
The program also includes stops in Waukee, Johnston, Council Bluffs, Fort Dodge, Cedar Falls, Dubuque, Marshalltown, Muscatine, Clinton, Coralville, Cedar Rapids, Ely, Sioux City and Spencer.
Anglers can find additional information about the fall trout stocking program, along with stocking information for northeast Iowa trout streams, on the Iowa DNR website.
For the complete schedule and additional details, visit iowadnr.gov/trout.
Source: Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 2026 Fall Community Trout Stocking Schedule.
