Regulation Guide Catching
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INDIANA REGULATION GUIDE 2017- 2018 'EYE CATCHING DNR Tweaks Walleye Plan INSIDE • FREE Fishing Weekends • Paying for Conservation • '16 Fish of the Year winners • Urban Fishing Program • 5 New Public Access Sites • State Record Fish Indiana Department of Natural Resources ATTRACTIONS Covered Bridge Festival 765-569-5226 TOURS Turkey Run State Park 765-597-2635 Discover 5 signed covered bridge routes. Raccoon Lake 765-344-1412 Rockville Lake Park 765-569-6541 Covered Bridge Art Gallery 765-569-9422 Bridgeton Mill 765-548-0106 Mansfield Roller Mill 765-344-0741 Sugar Valley Canoes 765-597-2464 Thirty-Six Saloon 765-569-9441 Shades State Park 765-435-2810 Festivals & Events 765-569-5226 LODGING CABINS Turkey Run State Park Cabins 877-563-4371 INNS Wilkins Mill Guest House 765-597-2046 Turkey Run Inn 877-563-4371 Rockville Lake Park Cabins 765-569-6541 Raccoon Lakeside Lodge 765-344-1162 Turkey Run Cabins 765-597-2029 EconoLodge 765-569-3430 Peaceful Waters Cabins 765-592-6458 Hilltop Guesthouse 765-597-2046 Antique, Primitive & Vintage Shops MOTELS Pat’s Pad 765-569-2605 Parke Bridge Motel 765-569-3525 Bear Cub Cabins 765-344-1436 Covered Bridge Motel 765-569-2833 Raccoon Lake House Rentals 765-592-0393 Motel Forrest 765-569-5250 Fallen Rock Parke 765-672-4301 Sugar Valley Cabins 765-597-2355 BED & BREAKFASTS The Dragonfly Guesthouse 765-592-0393 Granny’s Farm B & B 765-597-2248 Gobbler’s Knob Cabins 812-236-4132 Owl Nest B & B 765-569-1803 Raccoon Lake Sunset Rentals 765-592-0393 Bubble Gum B & B 765-569-6630 The Cabins at Hobson Farms 765-376-7663 Cherrywood Farm B & B 765-548-0582 Mansfield Guest Inn 812-877-9831 CANOE CAMP Old Jail Inn Parke County 217-808-1309 Sugar Valley 765-597-2364 Red Brick Inn 765-592-7818 Knoll Inn 765-344-1162 LARGE GROUP FACILITY Granny’s Farmhouse 765-597-2248 Covered Bridge Retreat 866-622-6746 Sugar Valley Canoes STATE RECORD PARKE COUNTY COVERED BRIDGE FESTIVALTM STRIPED BASS October 13-22, 2017 caught May 25, 2010 at Raccoon Lake October 13-22, 2017 WEIGHING 39.08 LBS 2017 FESTIVALS Miami All Nations Gathering - June 3-4 TM Bridgeton Quilt/Woodworking Show - Parke County Maple Syrup Fair June 10-11 Feb 25-26 and March 4-5 Art Affair on the Square - June 24 Bridgeton Mountain Man Rendezvous April 29-30 Covered Bridge Antique Power Club Tractor Drive - June 24-25 Bridgeton Art & Wine Fair - May 13 Fireworks - Raccoon Lake - July 1 Zoom Town 5K Run - May 20 Rockville Lake - July 2 Rosedale Strawberry Festival - June 2-4 Montezuma - July 4 INDIANA Table of REGULATION GUIDE Contents Features 4 23 26-27 What's New In 2017 State Record Fish What Fish Is It? DNR opens five new public access ramps, Jaxton Orr shows off the spotted gar he Color illustrations are a handy tool to help ID including at Lake Cicott. caught at Big Lake in 2016. common Indiana fish. Departments Anglers support conservation ........................................................ 4 Inland Trout Regulations ............................................................. 14 License information ....................................................................... 6 Urban Fishing Program ................................................................ 16 Statewide Size & Bag Limits .......................................................... 8 Lake Michigan Regulations ......................................................... 18 Illegal Stocking/Aquarium Release, Ohio River Regulations ................................................................20 Hooks for Hand/Pole Fishing ........................................................ 8 Reptiles & Amphibians .................................................................21 Gaffs, Grab Hooks & Landing Nets, Snares, Limb Lines Walleye Stocking Program ...........................................................22 Snagging Fish, Trot Lines ............................................................... 8 Indiana State Record Fish List ..................................................... 23 Float Fishing, Ice Fishing, Spear & Bow Fishing, Smelt Fishing ...... 9 2016 Fish of the Year Winners ................................................... 25 Wanton Waste, Sale of Aquatic Life, Mussels, Illegal Species...... 9 Fish Identification ......................................................................... 26 Boating, Life Preservers, Sinkers, Illegal Devices, Sorting Fish ..... 10 Eating Fish ..................................................................................... 28 Minnows & Crayfish ..................................................................... 10 Fisheries Biologists, Hatcheries, DNR Law Enforcement ..........30 Gizzard/Threadfin Shad, Walleye Size ........................................11 Fish & Wildlife Areas, Reservoirs & State Forests ......................31 Bass Regulations ........................................................................... 12 News & Notes ................................................................................ 32 Lake Sturgeon ............................................................................... 13 Regulaciones de Pesca .................................................................. 32 Governor: The Indiana Fishing Regulation Guide is a Eric Holcomb publication of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. It is a summary of Indiana fishing DNR Director: regulations. It is designed as a service to anglers Cameron Clark and is not intended to be a complete digest of all Fish & Wildlife Director: fishing regulations. Most regulations are subject Mark Reiter to change by administrative rule. Contact the Indiana DNR Division of Communications at Division of Fish and Wildlife (317) 233-3853 before reproducing any part of Indiana Department of Natural Resources this booklet. 402 W. Washington St. RM 273 Paid advertisements in this guide do not imply Indianapolis, IN 46204 endorsement by the DNR or the State of Indiana for the businesses or products advertised. The On the Cover: DNR is not responsible for any advertising claims Walleye are a prized game fish. contained herein. Photographed by – Frank Oliver, Indiana DNR 2017-2018 INDIANA FISHING GUIDE 1 MESSAGES “The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.” Such was the assessment of a Scottish writer many years ago. Hoosier anglers, generally speaking, might not contemplate fishing in such philosophical terms, but our love for this ancient endeavor rivals that of our counterparts anywhere in the world. We are fortunate to live in a state that abounds with opportunities to cast a line; having more than 450 natural lakes and 21,000 miles of fishable streams. For some, fishing is a true sport – an activity in which competitors participate in derbies or tournaments, vying against other Williamstown, MA | Birmingham, AL enthusiasts to catch the largest specimens within a set period of time. For the vast majority, fishing is a form of recreation and relaxation. Some people enjoy fishing in solitude, finding peace and quiet as they connect with nature from a lakeshore, riverbank or boat deck. Others view fishing trips as social outings, cherishing the company of friends and family as a vital part of the experience. About This Guide Whatever their specific preferences and traditions, all Hoosier anglers make important contributions to the cause of conservation in Indiana by purchasing fishing licenses. Proceeds qualify for federal matching grants and are used to sustain healthy habitats and fish populations This high-quality guide is offered to you across Indiana. by the Indiana Department of Natural So thank you for the important role you play, and I wish you all the best this year as you set Resources through its unique partnership out for that prize catch. with J.F. Griffin Publishing, LLC. The revenue generated through ad sales significantly lowers production costs and generates savings. These savings translate Eric Holcomb into additional funds for other important State of Indiana Governor agency programs. If you have any feedback or are inter- The DNR’s walleye stocking program is the cover story (see Pg. 23) for ested in advertising, please contact us at this year’s Indiana Fishing Guide. 413.884.1001 or at www.JFGriffin.com But it’s the story behind the scenes that makes it possible to not only have the walleye program in Indiana but also many others like it that Graphic Design: provide you fishing opportunities. Jon Gulley, Dane Fay, John Corey, That story has to do with the DNR hatchery system and the dedi- Evelyn Haddad, Chris Sobolowski cated fisheries biologists working at those locations – Bodine (Misha- waka), Cikana (Martinsville), Driftwood (Vallonia), East Fork (Mont- gomery), Fawn River (Orland), Mixsawbah (Walkerton), and Curtis Creek Trout Rearing Station (Howe). While some fish species reproduce well enough on their own in the wild, the seven facilities in our system annually supplement the population with millions more fish that are distributed statewide into public waters. Bluegill, black crappie, chinook and coho salmon, channel catfish, hybrid striped bass, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, muskellunge, rainbow trout, redear sunfish, sauger, saugeye, steelhead trout, and, of course, walleye are the primary species hatched and raised at these sites. Most aren’t much more than a couple inches long when released, but they grow up. And if you’ve ever caught one of these fish, it’s a good bet it came from one of our hatcheries. The hatcheries and the fish they produce