Infinite impulse response (IIR) system identification problem is defined as an IIR filter modeling to represent an unknown system. During a modeling task, unknown system parameters are estimated by metaheuristic algorithms through the IIR filter. This work deals with the self-adaptive search-equation-based artificial bee colony (SSEABC) algorithm that is adapted to optimal IIR filter design. SSEABC algorithm is a recent and improved variant of artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm in which appropriate search equation is determined with a self-adaptive strategy. Moreover, the success of the SSEABC algorithm enhanced with a competitive local search selection strategy was proved on benchmark functions in our previous studies. The SSEABC algorithm is utilized in filter modelings which have different cases. In order to demonstrate the performance of the SSEABC algorithm on IIR filter design, we have also used canonical ABC, modified ABC (MABC), best neighbor-guided ABC, and an ABC with an adaptive population size (APABC) algorithms as well as other algorithms in the literature for comparison. The obtained results and the analysis on performance evolution of compared algorithms on several filter design cases indicate that SSEABC outperforms all considered ABC variants and other algorithms in the literature.