Brett Reece

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will relax the fishing regulations at Cherry Lake on the south side of the city of Tama starting September 15 to allow anglers to more freely harvest fish.

Anglers with a valid sport fishing license may harvest all sizes and unlimited quantities of any species of fish from Cherry Lake. Any number of fishing poles is allowed. Anglers must remain in sight of these lines at all times, and follow all other fishing regulations and area rules. Ice fishing will be allowed on the lake this winter.

Liberalized fishing regulations for Cherry Lake will be in effect from September 15 to July 1, 2024.

Specific regulation changes include: Removal of bag and length limit restrictions on largemouth bass. Removal of bag limit on channel catfish. Removal of bag limit on crappie and bluegill.

The only legal method of take is by rod and reel. Dynamite, poison, electric shocking devices, nets, trotlines or any stupefying substances are not allowed. It is illegal to sell fish or stock captured fish into public waters.

The 2023 August pheasant population survey had the highest statewide counts since 2015, with the biggest increases coming from southwest, northwest and northeast regions. The statewide average was nearly 23 birds per route; a 15 percent increase over 2022.

“The bird counts were better than we thought in northwest and northeastern Iowa. The population in the northeast is the highest that region has seen in 24 years,” said Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife research biologist with the Iowa DNR.

Based on roadside counts, if hunters turn out like they have over the past few years, Bogenschutz said we can expect to see a harvest somewhere around 400,000 roosters.

“We haven’t had too many years since 2012 that areas were considered excellent, but there are some swaths of counties listed as excellent in northwest and north central Iowa – and over half of the state is considered fair to excellent,” he said.

Weather is a big factor influencing Iowa pheasant population and this uptick followed a normal winter and dry spring.

The annual survey also counts bobwhite quail, gray partridge and cottontail rabbits.

“The partridge population is up significantly with excellent counts coming from north central and northwest regions, and decent counts in parts of the east central region,” Bogenschutz said.

Surprisingly, he said the quail population didn’t follow that upward trend with counts similar to last year across southern Iowa’s quail belt.

“Quail hunting was pretty good last year and should be good this year as well in the southwest and south-central regions,” he said.

Statewide, cottontail rabbit populations are good, with the better numbers coming from south central, west central and east central regions. The full report is available at www.iowadnr.gov/pheasantsurvey. The annual August roadside survey has been collecting data on Iowa’s upland game populations since 1962. The statewide survey is conducted by Iowa DNR staff between Aug. 1-15, who drive 218, 30-mile routes on gravel roads at dawn on mornings with heavy dew. Hen pheasants will move their broods to the edge of the gravel road to dry off before they begin feeding, which makes them easier to count.

Brett Reece is a state conservation officer with the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources for Tama and Benton counties.