Inland Waters Underused Fish Removal Operations

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking sealed bids for removal of underused fish species—carp, buffalo, freshwater drum, and gizzard shad—from eleven designated inland lakes and river segments across Iowa, with bids due September 2, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. CST. Contractors may bid on one or any combination of the eleven locations; the DNR will award contracts on a lake-by-lake or multi-lake basis deemed most advantageous to the state.

Bidders must possess a minimum of five years' experience removing fish from inland lakes using large bag seines for local, state, or federal agencies and must be eligible to obtain a valid Iowa Commercial Fishing License. Approved removal equipment includes bag seines, gillnets, trammel nets, and hoop nets. Fish removal operations are restricted to the period from the Tuesday after Labor Day through the Thursday before Memorial Day; operations must cease when water temperature exceeds 70 degrees Fahrenheit in all designated waters except Upper and Middle Sabula lakes, where no temperature restriction applies.

The contract term is twelve months with two possible annual extensions at the DNR's sole discretion. Firm pricing applies to the initial term; price adjustments may be considered during renewal. The minimum bid amount is $1,000 per location or combination. Contractors must carry comprehensive insurance: general liability of $2 million general aggregate, automobile liability of $1 million combined single limit, and workers' compensation as required by Iowa law. All operations require compliance with aquatic invasive species prevention protocols and submission of detailed operational reports to the DNR within 14 days of each removal operation.

The targeted waters span eleven counties: Iowa Lake (Emmet County), Little Spirit Lake (Dickinson County), North Twin Lake (Calhoun County), Okoboji Chain (Dickinson County), Silver Lake (Palo Alto County), Storm Lake (Buena Vista County), Sugema Lake (Van Buren County), Tuttle Lake (Emmet County), George Wyth/Cedar River (Black Hawk County), Prairie Park Fishery (Linn County), and Upper and Middle Sabula Lakes (Jackson County). Questions should be directed to Procurement@dnr.iowa.gov.