Orleans, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — A long-time employee of the Iowa DNR has moved up the food chain. Mike Hawkins served as the Fisheries Biologist for Northwest Iowa 18 years before his promotion January 31st.

Hawkins says he will be able to do his new job from his current office at the hatchery in Orleans. During his monthly interview on KICD he said the winter Walleye Season on the Great Lakes seems to have gone well.

February 20th is the last day that unattended ice shacks can be on the Iowa Great Lakes.