571—108.1(481A) Badger, opossum, striped skunk, red fox, gray fox, mink, muskrat and weasel.

1. 108.1(1)  Disturbing muskrat houses. Any department of natural resources officer, natural resource biologist, or county conservation board director may permit trappers to dig into or disturb muskrat houses on specific state or county game management areas as provided in Iowa Code section 481A.90, after finding that muskrats are causing excessive damage by destroying the vegetation essential to the welfare of a marsh and after so posting the area.
2. 108.1(2)  Game management areas. Open season for taking muskrats on certain state game management areas, certain federal national wildlife refuges, and certain county conservation board areas, only where approved by the wildlife bureau and posted accordingly, shall be from 8 a.m. the day after the regular muskrat trapping season ends until April 1. The use of foothold traps during this season is prohibited unless each trap is placed completely inside a muskrat house. No daily bag or possession limit.

Open season shall be from 8 a.m. on the first Saturday in November through February 28 of the succeeding year. Entire state open. No daily bag or possession limit.

[ARC 9243C, IAB 5/14/25, effective 6/18/25; ARC 0117D, IAB 3/4/26, effective 4/8/26]