Nauti-Lass Ponds & Critters, Inc.
All State Laws
State Law Guide

Iowa

Turtle possession, collection, and commercial regulations for Iowa, as researched by Nauti-Lass Ponds & Critters.

Iowa Wildlife Agency

Laws listed here were current as of January 1, 2015. Laws change frequently — always verify with your state's wildlife agency before purchasing or keeping turtles. This is not legal advice.

Native Turtle Species

  • Blanding's Turtle
  • Common Snapping Turtle
  • Eastern Box Turtle
  • Map Turtles
  • Painted Turtle
  • Red-eared Slider
  • Softshell Turtles

Law Summary

SUMMARY OF IOWA TURTLE LAWS

POSSESSION

1. It is unlawful to take, possess, transport, import, export, process, sell, offer for sale, buy or offer to buy Ornate Box, Stinkpot, Wood Turtle, Yellow Mud or Blanding's turtles

2. A valid sport fishing license allows you to take and possess a maximum of 100 pounds of live turtles or 50 pounds of dressed turtles. No distinction is made between native and non-native turtles. You must have a special license to sell live or dressed turtles.

3. Map Turtles and Red-eared Sliders are not addressed in the law. However, their take from the wild is unlawful so it is assumed possession is also unlawful.

4. Possession of non-native species is not addressed and therefore assumed not regulated. However, special permits are required to buy and sell turtles and again, no distinction is made between native and non-native species.

TAKING FROM THE WILD

1. Only Common Snapping Turtles, Softshells, and Painted Turtles may be taken in Iowa. Harvest of all other species of turtles is prohibited.

2. Non-residents may only take from the Missouri, Mississippi, and Big Sioux Rivers.

3. The taking of turtle eggs from wild nests is prohibited

4. A sport fishing license is required to take turtles from the wild. Bag limit is 50 pounds. Possession limit is 100 pounds. A person cannot buy or sell, dead or live, a turtle with a sport fishing license.

5. You can take turtles only by hand, turtle hook, turtle trap or hook and line.

COMMERCIAL

1. A commercial turtle harvester license is required to operate commercial gear and to take, attempt to take, possess, transport, sell, barter, or trade commercial turtles or turtle eggs.

2. A commercial turtle buyer license is required to engage in the business of buying, bartering, or trading commercial turtles or turtle eggs. Commercial turtle buyers may only purchase turtles from a licensed commercial turtle harvester.

3. A person possessing a commercial fishing license may possess and sell any commercial fish or turtles or their parts which have been lawfully taken. A person possessing a commercial turtle license may possess turtles or their parts which have been lawfully taken.

4. All intrastate and interstate shipments of commercial turtles or turtle eggs must be accompanied by a receipt which shows the name and address of the seller, date of sale, and the species, numbers, and pounds of the turtles or turtle eggs being sold.

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