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REGULATION GUIDE 2017- 2018 'EYE CATCHING DNR Tweaks Walleye Plan

INSIDE

• FREE Weekends • Paying for Conservation • '16 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 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 Regulations...... 14 License information...... 6 Urban Fishing Program...... 16 Statewide Size & Bag Limits...... 8 Lake Regulations...... 18 Illegal Stocking/Aquarium Release, 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 ...... 9 Fish Identification...... 26 Boating, Life Preservers, Sinkers, Illegal Devices, Sorting Fish...... 10 Eating Fish...... 28 & ...... 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. 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 . 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. , black , chinook and coho , channel catfish, hybrid striped bass, hybrid sunfish, , , 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 would not be possible without you. It’s your pur- chase of a fishing license that generates funds needed to operate the hatcheries. The result is a return on investment that all anglers can appreciate – better fishing.

Cameron Clark Indiana Department of Natural Resources Director

This program receives federal aid for fish and/or wildlife restoration. Under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the U.S. Department of the Interior This guide is also prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility as described available online at above, please write to the Office for Human Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI) Washington, D.C. 20240.

2 2017-2018 INDIANA FISHING GUIDE FISHING REGULATIONS GUIDE - GA TRIM: ...... 8˝ X 10-1/2˝ (AND VARIOUS OTHER STATES) BLEED: ...... 8-1/4˝ X 10-3/4˝

SAFETY: ...... 7˝ X 10˝ TRIM TRIM SAFETY TRIM BLEED BLEED SAFETY

BLEED BLEED TRIM TRIM

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Client: Progressive Job No: 16D00890 Created by: Dalon Wolford Applications: InDesign CC, Adobe Photoshop CC, Adobe Illustrator CC Job Description: Full Page, 4 Color Ad Document Name: Bass ad / Fishing Regulations Guide - GA and various other states Final Trim Size: 7-7/8˝ X 10-1/2˝ Final Bleed: 8-1/8˝ X 10-13/16˝ Safety: 7˝ X 10˝ Date Created: 11/7/16 WELCOME

Angler Dollars FUND CONSERVATION

Fishing and hunting have a long history in more than $300 million, including more than Indiana, and Hoosiers have contributed to $16.5 million in 2016 alone. conservation since the first fishing license was The DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife relies sold in the early 1900s. on the revenue generated from these dedicated Where to Fish With future generations in mind, regu- funding programs. Looking for a place to fish? lated fishing and hunting was established to License sales and WSFR funds currently The DNR can get you there with Where protect fish and wildlife species from being contribute about 87 percent of the Division’s to Fish, an online interactive map that overharvested. funding. In total, roughly 96 percent of all provides a wealth of information on hun- Ever since, proceeds generated from licenses, funding for the Division is from sources exclu- dreds of public access sites in Indiana. including habitat and fish stamps, have gone sive for fish and wildlife resources. The toolbar features a number of directly into managing those species and their The majority of funds are generated from functions that allow you to search for habitats, furthering conservation and recrea- fishing and hunting activities, but the conser- locations by waterbody, county or DNR tion. The success of conserving our natural vation programs benefit everyone. Whether property; find driving directions; and resources would not have been possible without it’s launching a canoe at a public access site, print your findings. this user-pay, user-benefit model, which viewing sandhill cranes, or the public benefits remains in effect today. gained from fish and habitat surveys to improve Clicking on a specific site provides additional information about motor In addition to licenses, an excise tax on the quality of aquatic habitats, these are all sup- restrictions, ADA accessibility, shoreline fishing equipment, boat engines, motorboat ported by the license and WSFR funds. fishing opportunities, applicable fees, fuel, and hunting equipment is collected for the Recreation related to fish and wildlife what species of fish are common, and the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) (including wildlife watching) is a $1.7 billion site’s latitude and longitude (great for program, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service industry in Indiana that benefits businesses and GPS users!). administers WSFR funds that are dedicated contributes to the quality of life that Hoosiers solely to the conservation of fish and wildlife. desire. Check it out. The WSFR program began in 1937 and has Support from anglers and hunters is critical distributed more than $18 billion across the to sustaining healthy fish and wildlife popula- Wildlife.IN.gov/3591.htm nation for the conservation of fish and wildlife tions and to providing recreational opportu- species and their habitats, and associated rec- nities for current and future generations of reational opportunities. Indiana has received Hoosiers.

New For 2017 BOAT RAMPS ADDED Midway between Logansport and Monticello on access program.” Creek in Brown County. U.S. 24 is Lake Cicott and the small Cass County DNR surveys of the 65-acre lake in 2008 Three previously opened sites were improved village of the same name. Laid out as Lakeville in and 2016 found bluegill the most abundant in 2016 – Beaver Dam Lake (Kosciusko County), 1868, it was renamed Lake Cicott a decade later species at close to 70 percent. Largemouth Brush Creek Reservoir (Jennings County), and in honor of George Cicott (pronounced SEE- bass ranked second in number. on the East Fork White River at Medora (Jack- kutt), a pioneer fur trader in the area. Fisheries biologist Tom Bacula, who son County). The village has a post office that dates to conducted the 2016 survey, said the bluegill The Public Access Program started in 1953 1873, and the lake frequently is referred to as the are below average compared to other glacial and strives to provide free access to Indiana southernmost glacial lake in Indiana, although lakes but the largemouth bass are slightly waters for anglers and boaters. It is funded Lake Galatia in Grant County makes the same above average. through the sale of fishing and hunting licenses claim. The DNR also added new public access sites and from federal aid the Wildlife & Sportfish What can’t be disputed is Lake Cicott (the at Bixler Lake (Noble County), Kruger Lake (Jef- Restoration Fund. lake) has one of the DNR’s newest public ferson County), on the River near Mexico in The program has acquired, developed and access sites. Miami County, and in Deer Creek Park on Salt maintained 421 public access sites across In 2015, the DNR acquired 20 acres along the Indiana and operates an additional 25 public south shore of the lake that was a former camp- fishing areas. ground. Buildings and debris were removed that Public access sites managed by the Divi- summer, and in 2016 the public access site began sion of Fish & Wildlife’s do not require a to take shape. lake-use permit. It includes a concrete ramp for loading and Sites are purchased from willing sellers at fair unloading boats, an accessible floating dock market value. The Division of Fish & Wildlife and parking pad that meet federal Americans also leases sites from organizations and local with Disabilities Act standards, and a small government agencies and accepts donations of parking lot. suitable properties along lakes and streams. “There’s room for about seven or eight Sites are developed by the Division of vehicles with trailers,” said Jamie Smyth, public Fish & Wildlife using their North or South access program manager for the DNR Division Public Access units. Anyone who has suitable of Fish & Wildlife. “The remaining section of waterfront land to sell on waters that lack the property is being left to return to its natural public access may contact the Division of Fish state. It’s a really nice addition to our public & Wildlife at (812) 526-2051. 4 YOUR SOURCE FOR EVERYTHING OUTDOORS visit mcsports.com for a location near you. 20% OFF Any 1 Item At Regular Price Not valid on prior purchases, special orders, or gift cards. Cannot be combined with any other coupon. Excludes firearms, ammunition & fishing electronics. Other exclusions may apply. See store for details. Offer valid through 12/31/17.

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The DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife is tasked Resident Non-Resident Resident¹ Non-Resident by state law to manage fisheries resources LICENSES Apprentice Apprentice forthe benefit of all Hoosiers. Annual Fishing $17 $35 na na This booklet is a summary of fishing regula- One-Day Fishing (includes Trout/Salmon) $9 $9 na na tions that support that effort. It is designed as Seven-Day Fishing na $20 na na a service to anglers and is not intended to be a Senior Annual Fishing $3 na na na complete digest of all fishing regulations. Some (includes Trout/Salmon)2 rules may change after printing of this booklet, Senior Fish for Life2 $17 na na na so be sure to check the DNR website (wildlife. (includes Trout/Salmon) IN.gov/2347.htm) for updates. Trout/Salmon Stamp Privilege $11 $11 na na These regulations apply only to fish that Annual Hunting $17 $80 $17 $80 originate from, or are taken from, the public Annual Hunting and Fishing $25 na $25 na waters of Indiana. Fish from public waters that Five-Day Hunting na $31 na $31 migrate into or from private waters are still Disabled American Veterans Hunt/Fish $2.75 na na na covered by these regulations. These regulations DAV 10-Year Hunt/Fish $27.50 na na na do not apply to fish in private waters that did All 2017 annual licenses and stamp privileges are valid from April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018. not originate from public waters. 2017 License fees are subject to change by the Natural Resources Commission. For a list of current license fees, go to Fishing.IN.gov or call (317) 232-4200. 1 See resident description located at the left of this chart. Who Needs a 2 Must be at least 64 years old and born after March 31, 1943. Fishing License na = not available With a few exceptions (see License Exemp- tions below), a valid fishing license issued by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources request. There are fines and penalties for fish- Indiana residents who are 64 years old and is required to fish in public lakes, streams, ing without a license. born after March 31, 1943 are eligible to buy a rivers or tributaries in Indiana or its boundary To qualify for resident fishing licenses, a Senior Annual or Senior Fish for Life License. waters. person must have established a true fixed To legally fish for or take trout and salmon The license must be signed in ink to be valid, and permanent home and primary residence from public waters, you must also have a valid or the licensee must produce an electronic in Indiana for 60 consecutive days prior to trout and salmon privilege and a valid fishing copy of the license while fishing. You must purchasing a license or permit, and not claim license (signed in ink) , or have with you an carry it with you when fishing and present it residency for fishing, hunting or trapping electronic copy of the license while fishing. to an Indiana Conservation Officer (or any in another state or country. All others are A fishing license may be revoked if the license authorized law enforcement official) upon non-residents. holder is convicted of violating fish and wildlife

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170891_DOA_1.10_Indiana FG_SnaKoil_3.375x4.75.indd 1 1/10/17 4:13 PM regulations. Any equipment used in the violation • Height, weight, sex, color of hair and eyes leave. However, the angler must carry leave of Indiana fish and wildlife laws may be seized • Specify the licenses you need and dates for orders and a valid Indiana driver’s license or for evidence, and confiscated upon conviction. one-day or multi-day licenses voter registration card. By Phone … • Resident owners or lessees of Indiana farm- How to Buy a License Call (317) 232-4200. land who farm that land, their spouses and Online … children living with them, while fishing on the farmland they own or lease. This exemp- Go to: INHuntFish.com License Exemptions tion does not apply to land owned by a busi- In Person … A fishing license and trout/salmon stamp are ness, corporation or partnership unless the Visit one of more than 525 retailers statewide NOT required for: shareholders, partners, members or own- (see for an interac- wildlife.IN.gov/5334.htm • Indiana residents born before April 1, 1943. ers are comprised solely of an immediate tive map) or visit the DNR Customer Service Such residents should carry their driver’s family and farm that land. Farmland means Center, Indiana Government Center South, license or other identification to verify age agricultural land that is devoted to or best 402 W. Washington St., Room W160, Indian- and residency. apolis, IN 46204. Open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., adaptable to the production of crops, fruits, Monday-Friday. • Residents and non-residents under age 18. timber or raising livestock, or is assessed as agricultural land for property tax purposes. By Mail … • Residents who are legally blind. Send check, money order (payable to DNR) or • Some non-resident landowners, while fish- • Residents of a state-owned mental rehabili- Visa or MasterCard (include number, expira- ing in public waters from the farmland they tation facility. tion date) to: own, according to the exemptions that their Licenses • Residents of any licensed health care facility state provides to Indiana residents. ( DNR Customer Service Center in Indiana taking part in a supervised fish- 402 W. Washington St., Room W160 ing activity sponsored by the facility. NOTE: Non-resident military personnel on Indianapolis, IN, 46204 active duty and stationed in Indiana may • Residents that have a developmental dis- Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Include the fol- purchase an Indiana resident license.) Indi- ability as defined by IC 12-7-2-61. lowing information: ana disabled American veterans can get a • Fishing in a private pond that does not allow • Name, date of birth, Indiana Driver’s DAV fishing and hunting license application fish entry from or exit to public waters. License number and Social Security Num- form from the County Service Officer where However, an angler must have permission ber (required by IC 14-22-11-3) they live or download the application form at from the property owner to fish. wildlife.in.gov/2376.htm. Mail the form with • Complete address, city, state, ZIP code, and • Residents of Indiana engaged in full-time a stamped self-addressed envelope to DNR phone number military service while on approved military Customer Service Center.

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7 FISHING REGULATIONS

INDIANA’S STATEWIDE SIZE AND BAG LIMITS Hooks for Pole Fishing

Species Daily Bag Limit Minimum Size or Hand Lines You may not fish with more than three poles or 3 3 Bluegill None None hand lines at any one time. Each line may have Redear Sunfish3 253 None no more than three single or multi-pronged hooks, three artificial lures, or no more than 14 inches Black Bass (in lakes) 2 5 singly or in aggregate1 three of a combination of hooks and artificial (exceptions: page 12) lures.

4 A multi-prong hook, or two or more single- Black Bass 5 singly or in aggregate1 12 to 15 inch slot limit prong hooks used to hold a single bait is consid- (in rivers and streams) 2 (no more than two over 15 inches) (exceptions: page 12) ered one hook. Black Bass (in Lake Michigan) 2 3 singly or in aggregate1 14 inches Single- or multi-barbed hooks may be used Yellow Bass None None for hand or pole lines, float or jug fishing, limb, drop or trot lines. Special hook size and barb White Bass, 12 singly or in aggregate1, no more None regulations apply to Lake Michigan and its Hybrid Striped Bass than two fish may exceed 17 inches tributaries. Refer to page 18 for hook informa- Striped Bass 2 None tion for these waters. 25 None Crappie 3 253 None7 Gaffs, Grab Hooks For Walleye: 14 inches and Landing Nets south of SR 26, 16 inches Landing nets, gaff hooks or grab hooks may Walleye, north of SR 26 (exceptions be used only to assist in the landing of legally Walleye-Sauger Hybrid (Saugeye), 6 singly or in aggregate1 on Pg. 11) caught fish. They may not be used as the Sauger For sauger and saugeye: method of catching fish. No size limit (exceptions on Pg. 11) Muskellunge Snares 1 singly 36 inches8 and You may use no more than one snare to take Northern Pike 3 20 inches suckers, carp, gar, and bowfin. Snaring these fish may be done only between sunrise and Yellow None (15 only on Lake Michigan) None sunset. Catfish: Channel, Blue, None 13 inches 5,6 Flathead (in streams) Limb Lines Catfish: Channel, Blue, 10 9 None 5,6 A limb line (or drop line) involves suspending a Flathead (in lakes, reservoirs) from a tree limb extending beyond Bullhead None None the bank of a body of water. You may fish with 12 None no more than 10 limb lines or drop lines at any one time. Each line may have no more than Shovelnose Sturgeon None 25 inches one single- or multi-barbed hook attached to 1 Singly or in aggregate means that the daily bag limit includes any combination of the species. it. Each line must have a readable tag showing 2 Black bass includes largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. the name and address of the user, or the DNR- 3 Daily bag limit for sunfish at J.C. Murphey Lake (Newton County) is 25 singly or in aggregate. issued Customer ID number. All lines must 4 No black bass between 12 and 15 inches may be harvested. be checked at least every 24 hours. It is illegal 5 No more than one blue catfish and one flathead catfish that is 35 inches or longer to use a limb or drop line within 300 yards of 6 No more than one channel catfish that is 28 inches or longer a partial or full dam structure located on any 7 9-inch minimum size at Dogwood Lake (Daviess County) and Hardy Lake (Scott County) stream, river, ditch, canal, or reservoir. 8 44-inch minimum size at Backwater, Kiser and Webster lakes (Kosciusko County) 9 No bag limit for catfish at Turtle Creek Reservoir Snagging Fish Snagging is the practice of dragging or jerking a hook (or hooks), baited or unbaited, through the water with the intention of hooking a fish Bag and Possession Limits Illegal Stocking, on contact. It is illegal to snag fish from public It is illegal to take more than the daily bag limit Aquarium Release waters in Indiana, including the . of a wild fish in a calendar day. Trout and salmon that are foul-hooked — not It is illegal to take any live fish (native or non- The possession limit is two times the daily caught in the mouth — must be released to the native) and release it into any other public bag limit. water and not kept. waters without a stocking permit. DNR fisheries The possession limit does not apply to a wild biologists approve stocking of fish only after fish that is processed and stored at an individu- careful consideration of the potential impacts of al’s primary residence. Trot Lines new fish on the existing habitat and fish popula- It is illegal to carry, transport or ship outside A trot line (also called a set line or throw line) tion. The release of fish from an aquarium Indiana, in open season, in one day, a wild fish is a fishing line with smaller lines attached to it would be considered the stocking of fish, and a that the individual has taken in open season in that extends into the water from a fixed point, permit is required to do so. excess of the possession limit. such as a boat dock or tree. You may fish with no more than one trot line at any one time. The trot

8 2017-2018 INDIANA FISHING GUIDE line must have no more than 50 single- or multi- barbed hooks. Each drop line on a trot line may Bow Fishing have only one hook. Trot lines must bear a read- A bow and arrow or crossbow can be used Free Fishing Days able tag showing the name and address of the any time of day year-round to take Asian carp, Indiana residents can enjoy four free user, or the DNR-issued Customer ID number. bowfin, buffalo, , gar, shad, and fishing days in 2017 without having to Trot lines must be checked at least once every suckers from streams, rivers and non-flowing buy a fishing license — April 15, May 20, 24 hours. It is illegal to use a trot line in Lake waters (including lakes, ponds, and reservoirs). and June 3 and 4. Michigan or within 300 yards of any partial or A fishing license is required to use a bow and This year, take a friend along and intro- full dam structure located on any stream, river, arrow or crossbow as fishing equipment. duce him or her to a new activity that ditch, canal, or reservoir. could become a lifelong passion. (All other fishing rules and regulations Spear Fishing apply.) Umbrella Rig A gig, fish spear, spear gun, or underwater spear You may use an umbrella rig (sometimes can be used any time of day year-round to take See DNR.IN.gov/fishfree for more referred to as an Alabama rig), but hooks or Asian carp, bowfin, buffalo, common carp, information. lures can be attached to only three arms. Any gar, shad, and suckers from non-flowing waters additional arms must be left empty or can be (including lakes, ponds, and reservoirs) and the fitted with a spinner blade or other hookless following large streams: attractor. • Kankakee River, upstream to the State Road license may be bought, sold, or bartered. You 55 bridge may keep fish that you catch for an aquarium Float Fishing • Maumee River, upstream to the Anthony if that fish meets legal size and bag limit Float or jug fishing is the use of any buoyed Boulevard bridge in Fort Wayne requirements. container (made of any material other than If you give your catch away, it’s a good idea • St. Joseph River, upstream from Twin Branch glass) that suspends a single fishing line and a to provide the recipient a note identifying the Dam in Elkhart and St. Joseph counties single- or multi-barbed hook. fish you gave them. This avoids confusion with As many as five floats may be used but only • Tippecanoe River, upstream to one-half mile exceeding the daily bag limit or possessing fish one hook may be attached to each float line. below its confluence with Big Creek in Car- without a fishing license. Each float must be marked with the user’s name roll County (Fish spears and fish gigs cannot and address, or the DNR-issued Customer ID be used in, on, or adjacent to Tippecanoe number. All lines must be in constant visual River from 1/2 mile below its juncture with Smelt Fishing contact of the person using them. Float fishing Big Creek in Carroll County upstream to the Smelt may be taken from Lake Michigan from is not allowed on lakes and reservoirs for public Oakdale Dam.) March 1 through May 30. Smelt may be taken safety reasons. only with a single seine or net. The seine or • Wabash River, upstream to State Road 13 in net may not exceed 12 feet in length and 6 feet Wabash in depth, nor have a stretch mesh larger than Ice Fishing • White River, upstream from the Wabash 1½ inches. A dip net may not exceed 12 feet in When ice fishing, no more than three lines may River to the junction of East and West forks diameter. be used at any one time. Each line may contain • White River/East Fork, upstream to the dam no more than three hooks (single, double or at the south edge of Columbus treble) or three artificial lures. Endangered Fish Holes cut for ice fishing cannot be more than • White River/West Fork, upstream to the dam The following fish species are classified as 12 inches in diameter. below Harding Street in Indianapolis endangered in Indiana: bantam sunfish, Tip-ups must be identified with the name Hoosier cavefish (formerly northern cavefish), and address of the user or the DNR-issued Cus- channel darter, gilt darter, greater redhorse, lake tomer ID number. Tip-ups must be in constant Fishing Below Dams sturgeon (see page 13), northern brook , visual contact of the person using them. State law does not allow the taking of fish by pallid shiner, redside dace, and variegate darter. Ice shanties or portable ice-fishing shelters trotline, set line, throw line, net, trap, or seine It is illegal to take or possess these fish at any must have the owner’s name and address or the (except legal seines or dip nets) within time. Most of these species are small and would DNR-issued Customer ID number in 3-inch 300 yards of a dam on an Indiana waterway not be caught while . block letters on the outside of the door. Between or boundary water (which includes the Ohio If captured during baitfish collection, imme- sunset and sunrise, any ice fishing shelter or River). diately return them unharmed to the water in portable shelter must have at least one red which they were found. reflector or a 3-inch by 3-inch reflector strip on each side of the structure. Wanton Waste Ice shanties and portable shelters must be The intentional waste and destruction of fish Species Illegal to Possess removed from public waters before ice-out. If is prohibited unless the fish is required by law The following fish and mussels are illegal to used before Jan. 1 and after Feb. 15, all struc- to be killed. Fish must not be mutilated and possess: Asiatic clam, bighead carp, black carp, tures must be removed daily. returned to the water unless the fish is law- silver carp, quagga mussel, round goby, rudd, fully used as bait. Fish parts, including entrails, ruffe, snakehead (of the family Channidae), must not be discarded into any state waters but stone moroko, tubenose goby, walking catfish Freshwater Mussels should be disposed of in a sanitary manner that (of the family Clariidae), Wels catfish, white It is illegal to collect or take live mussels or dead does not pollute the water or become detrimen- perch (not freshwater drum), , and zebra mussel shells from public waters. A ban on tal to public health or comfort. mussel. harvesting shells has been in effect since 1991 to If any of these species are taken into posses- protect against a rapid decrease in the abun- sion, they must be killed immediately by either dance and distribution of freshwater mussels. Sale of Aquatic Life removing their head, removing gills from at Please do not disturb living mussels. No fish, frogs, turtles, or other reptile or least one side of the fish, or gutted. Your coop- amphibian taken under a fishing or hunting eration is essential.

2017-2018 INDIANA FISHING GUIDE 9 BASIC FISHING INFORMATION

Boating Lake Michigan Trout All motorboats used in public waters must and Salmon Lake and Topo Maps be registered. For a copy of Indiana boat- Trout or salmon with a missing adipose fin DNR lake and topographical maps ing laws, write to DNR Division of Law contain a small micro wire tag in the head of are inexpensive and easy to obtain. U.S. Geological Survey Maps show land Enforcement, 402 W. Washington St., Room the fish with information important to DNR contours, water, structures and vegetation. W255D, Indianapolis, IN 46204 or go to research. Please save the head from your www.boat-ed.com/indiana/handbook. marked (adipose fin-clipped) trout and salmon Send your requests to: On state-owned, leased or licensed lakes and call the Division of Fish & Wildlife at (219) DNR Customer Service Center smaller than 300 acres, only electric motors 874-6824 for instructions on drop-off locations. 402 W. Washington St., W160 may be used. No more than two 12-volt bat- Only trout and salmon with a missing Indianapolis, IN 46204. teries can be used to power motors on adipose fin have micro tags. The adipose fin Call (317) 232-4200 for more info. these waters. is along the fish’s spine between the and caudal (tail) fin. Life Preservers A U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable flotation Illegal Devices “Minnow” is defined as a species of the min- device (PFD) is required for each person on any It is illegal to use the following devices to take now family Cyprinidae, except for exotic species boat. Boats 16 feet and longer, except for canoes fish from public waters: a weir, electric cur- identified in 312 IAC 9-6-7 and endangered or kayaks, must also have one USCG-approved rent, dynamite or other explosive, a firearm, species identified in 312 IAC 9-6-9, as well as throwable PFD on board. hands alone, or any substance that may sucker, brook (Culaea inconstans), Lake Michigan, the Ohio River, and Indiana- weaken or poison fish. gizzard shad, threadfin shad, and alewife. Live boundary waters of the Wabash River gizzard shad, threadfin shad, and alewife may have special regulations. Call the USCG at (219) only be collected, used, possessed, and disposed 879-8371 for Lake Michigan, (502) 779-5400 for Sorting Fish of in accordance with 312 IAC 9-6-8. southern Indiana, or see uscgboating.org for a Anglers are responsible for maintaining fish You cannot transport more than 100 crayfish copy of federal boating regulations. in a healthy condition if they wish to return across the state line in a 24-hour period unless fish to the water. Dead and dying fish already you are commercially raising crayfish. You may kept cannot be released back into the water. use artificial lighting to take crayfish. Sinkers At no time may anglers have more than a bag If you plan to catch your own minnows or You may want to consider using lead-free fish- limit in their possession while engaged in a crayfish, the following rules apply. (See page 20 ing sinkers if you are concerned about your day’s fishing. However, sorting of fish may for special minnow and crayfish collecting exposure to lead. Alternative sinkers are made be allowed within the bag limit if fish are in regulations on the Ohio River.) of steel, bismuth, tungsten, and resin. Fish or healthy condition at the time of release. For • Seines cannot be larger than 12 feet in length wildlife health may be affected if they ingest example, if you catch five largemouth bass and 4 feet deep with mesh no larger than ½ lead or zinc sinkers. (daily bag limit is five) and catch a bigger inch stretch. (Stretch is the distance between largemouth bass later that day, it is legal to two opposite knots of a net mesh when the release any of the other fish in good condition net is stretched tight.) Tagging and Marking in order to keep the larger one. Fish must be Anyone interested in marking or tagging fish in released into the water from which they were • Minnow dip nets cannot exceed 3 feet public water must get approval from the DNR taken and be able to swim away normally. All square, without sides or walls, and may not Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) before mark- fish in possession must meet legal size limits. have mesh larger than ½ inch stretch. ing or tagging occurs. • Minnow traps cannot exceed 24 inches in An application, available from DFW, must length, with the opening of the trap no larger be processed 21 days before the scheduled start Minnows, Crayfish than 1 inch in diameter. Traps for crayfish date. Call (317) 232-4080 for more information. Minnows and crayfish may be collected any also must comply with these requirements. time through the year if you have a valid sport fishing license. Minnows and crayfish collected • Cast nets may be used, provided the net is no from public waters cannot be sold. larger than 20 feet in diameter and the mesh stretch is no larger than ¾ inch. Do not release minnows into the water after you finish fishing. Emptying bait buckets can How To Measure contaminate a body of water with undesirable Your Fish fish. In addition, bait and bait buckets exposed To determine the accurate length of to lake or stream water could get contaminated a fish, measure a straight line from with zebra mussel larvae, fish pathogens, or other aquatic . Anglers are the tip of the jaw (mouth closed) to Total Length the tip of the compressed tail fin. encouraged to dispense of baitfish in the trash Measure with mouth closed and after each outing and buy new bait for the next tail compressed to determine total outing. Fishing worms should be discarded in length. trash containers. Wild fish may be used as live bait as long as Measure shovelnose sturgeon from nose to fork in tail fin to determine the fish was caught legally and meets any size, length. catch, or possession limits established for that Fork Length species. Goldfish may be used as live bait. Fork Length Carp cannot be used as live bait at any location. Live alewives may be collected, possessed and used on Lake Michigan only, and may

10 2017-2018 INDIANA FISHING GUIDE not be transported away from Lake Michigan. artificial lure. Single hooks, including those Any unused alewives must be killed. You must on artificial lures, shall not exceed one-half immediately kill alewives collected from waters (1/2) inch from point to shank. Double and other than Lake Michigan. treble hooks on artificial lures shall not exceed three-eighths (3/8) inch from point to shank. Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad Walleye Size Limits Walleye taken from all public waters (lakes, Gizzard shad and threadfin shad can be col- rivers and streams) north of State Road 26 lected and used as live bait on the following must be 16 inches in length or longer, except waters but may not be transported live away for: from the location where collected: Brookville, Cecil M. Harden, Freeman, Hardy, Monroe, • Bass Lake (Starke County) and Lake Patoka, and Shafer lakes, and the Ohio River (Lake County); minimum size 14 inches mainstream (excluding all embayments). • Lake George (Steuben County); minimum Cast nets with a maximum mesh size of 2 size 15 inches inches stretch can be used to collect live giz- zard shad and threadfin shad at these bodies • Wall Lake (LaGrange County); minimum of water. size 16 inches with a daily bag limit of two Live gizzard shad or threadfin shad col- Walleye taken from public waters (lakes, lected from the tailwaters of a lake or col- rivers and streams) south of State Road 26 Life jackets lected from other water bodies must be killed must be 14 inches or longer, except: immediately upon capture and cannot be possessed alive. • The Ohio River, where there is no mini- save lives. mum size Hooks on EF White River There is no minimum size requirement for saugeye on all state waters, except for Hunt- Hook restrictions are in place from March ingburg Lake (Dubois County) and Sullivan 15 through April 20 on the East Fork White USE THEM. Lake (Sullivan County), where saugeye must River from Williams Dam to the Huron and be 14 inches in length or longer. Williams Road bridge in Lawrence County. Except for the Ohio River, sauger are added to During that time, you cannot fish with WearIt.IN.gov the aggregate bag limit for walleye and saugeye. more than one single hook per line or one

11 BASS REGULATIONS

12- to 15-inch slot size limits: STATEWIDE BLACK BASS* REGULATIONS At the following lakes, largemouth bass that are from 12 to 15 inches in length may not be Type of Water Daily Bag Limit Minimum Size harvested. The daily bag limit applies to bass Lakes 5 singly or in aggregate 14 inches under 12 inches and over 15 inches. 5 singly or in aggregate Rivers/Streams 12 to 15 inch slot limit** • Buffalo Trace Lake (Harrison County) (no more than 2 bass over 15 inches) • Celina Lake (Perry County) Lake Michigan 3 singly or in aggregate 14 inches • Ferdinand State Forest Lake (Dubois County) * Black bass is a term for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. Certain waters have special bag limits and minimum size limits that apply to black bass. See information on this page. • Indian Lake (Perry County) ** No black bass between 12 and 15 inches may be harvested. • Montgomery City Park Lake (Daviess County) The possession limit is two times the daily bag limit. The possession limit does not apply to fish that are processed and stored at an individual’s primary residence. • Saddle Lake (Perry County) • Tipsaw Lake (Perry County) Special Lake Regulations 16-inch minimum size limit: • Cecil M. Harden Lake (Parke County) 12- to 15-inch slot size limit (no more than Special largemouth bass regulations are in effect two bass larger than 15 inches): for many Indiana waters. 18-inch minimum size limit and two fish • Big Long Lake (LaGrange County) The expected benefits of size limits are daily bag limit: an increase in the number of bass caught • Ball Lake (Steuben County) No-minimum-size-limit waters: (although many must be released); an increase • Brownstown State Fishing Area (Jackson in size of bass; and in some cases, improve- • Blue Grass, Loon Pit (Warrick County) County) ment in bluegill size and increased • J.C. Murphey Lake (Newton County) on abundant prey like gizzard shad. • Burdette Park lakes (Vanderburgh County) • Kunkel Lake (Wells County) Regulations on bass fishing differ on the • Chandler Town Lake (Warrick County) Ohio River. See page 20. • Robinson Lake (Whitley and Kosciusko Lake Limits (county) counties) • Cypress Lake State Fishing Area (Jackson County) • Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area, all lakes 15-inch minimum size limit: • Deming Park lakes (Vigo County) 20-inch minimum size limit and one fish • Patoka Lake (Orange, Dubois and Crawford • Garvin Park Lake (Vanderburgh County) counties) daily bag limit: • Turtle Creek Reservoir (Sullivan County)

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12-inch minimum size limit (5 bass daily limit): Lake sturgeon: may have small metal tag with • All rivers and streams in Posey, Vander- number on base of dorsal fin. burgh, Warrick, Spencer, Perry, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Clark, Jefferson, Switzer- land, Ohio and Dearborn counties (with the exception of the Blue River, where the slot limit applies in Crawford, Harrison, and Shovelnose sturgeon. Washington counties).

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311 S 5th St., Logansport, IN • 574-753-4856 visit-casscounty.com 1-1/2 hours north of Indianapolis 13 INLAND TROUT REGULATIONS INLAND TROUT SIZES AND LIMITS Indiana anglers have two options when it comes to trout fishing — inland waters and Species Daily Bag Limit Minimum Size Lake Michigan. The following information covers regula- 5 singly or in aggregate for all trout. tions for inland trout fishing. Lake Michigan Rainbow Trout 7 inches* trout and salmon regulations are on page 18. No more than 1 may be brown trout. Brown Trout Lakes: No closed season for taking trout from inland lakes except March 15 to April 1 *18-inch minimum size limit for brown trout at Oliver, Olin and Martin lakes in LaGrange Co., and Brookville Lake tailwater at Greene-Sullivan State Forest. in Franklin Co. Streams: The opening day of trout season for inland streams, other than Lake Michigan • Turkey Creek north of CR 100 S in Three streams in Elkhart County (totaling 2.8 tributaries, is the last Saturday in April and LaGrange County miles) are designated as year-round “catch- runs through Dec. 31. and-release only” and “artificial lures or flies The starting time is 6 a.m. local time. • Rainbow Pit located on Pigeon River Fish & only” trout fishing areas. Only artificial lures For a list of trout stockings, see Wildlife Area, approximately one mile east and artificial flies can be used in the following of in LaGrange County wildlife.IN.gov/5457.htm catch-and-release waters in Elkhart County: Catch-and-release applies to all trout • Little Elkhart River and Rowe-Eden Ditch streams from Jan. 1 through April 14. See page • Little Elkhart River from CR 43 down- in LaGrange County 18 for special tributary restrictions and clo- stream to CR 16, except for waters along sure information for Lake Michigan streams. • Solomon Creek and Cobus Creek in Elkhart Riverbend Park from CR 16 upstream to the A closed season for selected trout streams County pedestrian footbridge (see below) runs from April 15 to the last Sat- • Little Kankakee River in LaPorte County • Solomon Creek from CR 33 downstream to urday in April (opening day) while DNR staff from CR 800 E upstream to Division Road the Elkhart River complete the annual trout stockings. • Spy Run Creek within Franke Park in Allen • Cobus Creek from Old U.S. 20 downstream • Pigeon River and Pigeon Creek in LaGrange County to the St. Joseph River County from the Steuben County line to CR 410 E (Troxel’s Bridge). This does not • Mississinewa River within the boundaries Brown Trout Minimum Size Limit Waters: include the impoundment known as Mongo of the Randolph County Wildlife Manage- An 18-inch minimum size limit exists at Mill Pond ment Area Oliver, Olin, and Martin lakes in LaGrange County, and the Brookville Lake tailwater in • Harding Run, Curtis Creek, Bloody Run, • Big Blue River within the boundaries of Franklin County. and Graveyard Run (tributaries of Pigeon Wilbur Wright Fish & Wildlife Area in River) in LaGrange County Henry County

14 2017-2018 INDIANA FISHING GUIDE 15 GO FISHIN IN THE CITY Urban Fishing Program TARGETS 16 COMMUNITY LAKES

Go FishIN in the City enters its fifth year as Creek at Franke Park), Indianapolis (Delaware the Department of Natural Resources urban Lake at Fort Harrison State Park), and Terre fishing program. Haute (Maple Avenue Park Lake). Sixteen small lakes in nine communities The stocked fish are available for harvest as are scheduled to participate in the program soon as they are put into the lake. Many of the that provides great shore fishing opportuni- selected lakes already have existing popula- ties for Hoosiers who live in heavily populated tions of largemouth bass and bluegill that urban areas. provide year-round fishing opportunities. The With the help of local partners, the DNR newly stocked channel catfish and rainbow Division of Fish & Wildlife intensively stocks trout will provide urban anglers a better catchable size channel catfish and rainbow trout chance of “catching dinner.” in lakes or ponds located in local city parks that Channel catfish ranging from 14 to 18 are family friendly and well maintained. inches are stocked in April, May and June. Sites where catfish will be stocked include Smaller catfish (8-10 inches) are stocked in Avon (Washington Township Park Pond 2), October. Channel catfish are easy to catch, Carmel (Meadowlark Pond, Meadowlark Park), don’t require expensive gear or equipment, Evansville (Garvin Park Lake and Diamond Val- and taste great. They are attracted to strong- ley Park Pond), Fort Wayne (Shoaff Park Pond smelling baits. Try using nightcrawlers, chicken and Lakeside Park Northeast Pond), Hobart livers, shrimp, stinkbait, or cut hot dogs. (Robinson Park Lake), Indianapolis (Krannert Due to more restrictive water quality require- Park Lake and Riverside Park Pond), Lafayette ments, rainbow trout are stocked in a select (Munger Park Pond), New Albany (Kiwanis number of the Go FishIN in the City lakes. Lake at Sam Peden Community Park), and Cheese, kernel corn, nightcrawlers, red wigglers, Anglers age 18 and older need a fishing Terre Haute (Dobbs Park Pond). and meal worms make good trout baits. If you’d license and a trout privilege to fish for trout. Sites where trout will be stocked are Evans- rather use an artificial lure, try a small inline Anglers age 17 and younger do not need a fish- ville (Garvin Park Lake), Fort Wayne (Spy Run spinner or a spoon. ing license or trout privilege.

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17 LAKE MICHIGAN REGULATIONS

• No fishing is allowed by boat or other water- LAKE MICHIGAN AND TRIBUTARIES SIZES AND LIMITS craft in the St. Joseph River below the South Bend dam for a distance of 200 feet, and from Species Daily Bag Limit Minimum Size the Mishawaka Central Park Dam down- Atlantic Salmon stream to the Main Street Bridge, Mishawaka. Chinook Salmon Tributary Closures Coho Salmon 14 inches 5 total salmon and Michigan, No fishing is allowed within 100 feet upstream Pink Salmon of the Trail Creek sea lamprey barrier or No more than 2 may be lake trout streams, and Brown Trout downstream to the Pottawatomie Country Club St. Joseph River Golf Course property line located adjacent to Lake Trout Springland Avenue in Michigan City. Fishing is not allowed within 100 feet above Steelhead Trout or below the Praxair Dam on the East Branch 15 on Lake Michigan only None of the Little Calumet River. Lake Whitefish 12 (statewide) None Fishing Reports Lake Michigan (219) 874-0009 Lake Michigan and its tributaries in Indiana St. Joseph River (574) 257-TIPS provide a number of fishing opportunities Tributary Restrictions for salmon, trout, perch, whitefish and other You may not possess a fish spear, gig, gaff, bow- Both reports are updated weekly from species. fishing equipment, crossbow, grab hook, spear March through December. Any trout or salmon taken from the Lake gun, club, snag hook or underwater spear in or Michigan tributaries defined in this section adjacent to the Galena River (LaPorte Co.), Trail Go to wildlife.IN.gov/8270.htm for a must be hooked in the mouth. Foul-hooked fish Creek (LaPorte Co.), the East Branch of the Lit- searchable map of fishing reports for must be returned to the water. tle Calumet River (LaPorte and Porter counties), public waters. Salt Creek (Porter Co.), the West Branch of the Additional regulations include: Little Calumet River (Lake and Porter counties), Fishing.IN.gov • The bag limit for yellow perch is 15 while Burns Ditch (Lake and Porter counties), Deep fishing Indiana waters (even if you have a River downstream from the dam at Camp 133 fishing license from a neighboring state). (Lake Co.), or the tributaries to these waters. • You can take bowfin, buffalo, carp, gar, shad, and sucker from Lake Michigan with a bow Hook Restrictions and arrow. You may not fish with more than one single • You cannot use a trot line (power line), set hook per line or one artificial lure in the waters line or throw line to take fish from Lake including Lake Michigan tributaries, and the St. Michigan. Joseph River and its tributary streams from the Twin Branch Dam downstream to the Michi- • See page 12 for Lake Michigan bass gan state line (St. Joseph County). regulations. Single hooks, including those on artificial lures, cannot exceed ½ inch from point to shank. Double and treble hooks are allowed Boats • ATVs • Campers only on artificial lures and shall not exceed 3/8 A STORAGE PLACE inch from point to shank. 12 x 30 $90 13 x 33 $96 24 x 30 $180 Prevent transport of aquatic invasive species. Individual Units • Extra Wide Drives St. Joseph River aStoragePlace4U.com 317-467-9740 Clean all recreational equipment. [email protected] Special regulations apply to fishing the St. www.ProtectYourWaters.net Joseph River and its tributaries from Twin Branch Dam in Mishawaka downstream to the • INSPECT and REMOVE aquatic plants, W Michigan state line. These include: , and mud from boat, motor, trailer, • Minimum size limit for trout and salmon is and equipment. 14 inches. • DRAIN water from boat, motor, bilge, livewell, and bait containers away from 38 • No fishing is allowed at any time in the East landing. 3 N. A A. Race Waterway in South Bend. No fishing is • DISPOSE of unwanted live bait, fish parts, I IN allowed within 100 feet of the entrance and and worms in the trash. exit of the East Race. • SPRAY/RINSE boat and equipment with high-pressure or hot water, OR • No fishing is allowed at any time from the • DRY everything for at least five days before fish ladders located on the South Bend or going into another body of water. Making Hunting & Fishing Dreams Come True Mishawaka Central Park dams. • NEVER release organisms from one for YoungsTers, 21 & unDer, with • No fishing is allowed within 100 feet of the waterbody into another. LiFe-THreaTening iLLnesses entrances and exits of the fish ladders. Toll Free: 866-345-4455 www.HuntofaLifetime.org 18 2017-2018 INDIANA FISHING GUIDE DANGEROUS DAMS Killing Machines LOW-HEAD STREAM STRUCTURES HAVE A DARK SIDE

Everyone enjoys the peaceful sights and sounds of water cascading over a dam. Anglers congre- gate downstream of dams because fish concen- trate in the deep pool below. Some swimmers and paddlers find excitement in recreating in the turbulent water associated with dams. While they offer an allure, the low-head dams that span many Indiana streams have a dark side. The reason anglers flock to them is one of the main reasons low-head dams are bad for the aquatic community … they block fish that normally are highly mobile from reaching upper portions of a stream. This blocking effect also harms freshwater mussels. The reproductive strategy of mussels relies on fish to move the young. Dams restrict how far the mussels can be distributed. Fresh- water mussels are highly endangered and one reason is the presence of dams. The pool area on the upstream side of a dam creates unnatural habitat for stream fish, caus- ing them to avoid the area. Typically, pooled areas become dominated by undesirable spe- cies, so each dam creates an overall reduction in gamefish species. Low-head dams also create dangerous cur- current that pulls them back to the face of the com/192003847?ref=em-share for more on the rents that are notoriously hazardous to individ- dam. The repeating cycle traps and drowns the hazards of low-head dams. uals who fish, boat or swim near them. While victim, which led to the moniker “drowning Many low-head dams no longer serve a many low-head dams pose less of a recreational machines.” purpose and most are in disrepair. The Division risk during low-flow conditions, they become Approximately 10 percent of drown- of Fish & Wildlife is looking for opportunities to wickedly dangerous during moderate and high ings in Indiana occur at low-head dams. partner in removing obsolete dams so that the flows. Of those drownings, 75 percent of the aquatic community of streams can be improved High flows over a low-head dam push victims victims were recreating; the other 25 per- and the streams can be made safer for recrea- under the water surface in a recirculating cent were attempting a rescue. See vimeo. tional users.

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Jacko_FishGuideAd_12-16-16.indd 1 12/14/16 11:07 AM OHIO RIVER REGULATIONS

Paddlefish may not be taken from any por- OHIO RIVER DAILY BAG AND SIZE LIMITS tion of Indiana waters of the Ohio River on a sport fishing license. It is also illegal to take Species Daily Bag Limit Minimum Size paddlefish from any other waters of Indiana Largemouth Bass on a sport fishing license. 12 inches 6* All other fish, except those classified as No size limit on spotted bass threatened or endangered, may be taken with Spotted Bass the same sport fishing methods described Hybrid Bass above, as well as with the following methods: Striped Bass No more than four fish may be 15 30* • Long or compound bow with an arrow White Bass inches or longer having one or more barbs and an attached Yellow Bass line. Catfish cannot be taken with bow and arrow during nighttime hours (½ hour after Rock Bass 15 None sunset until ½ hour before sunrise). Blue Catfish None** 13 inches Channel Catfish None*** 13 inches • Gigging from Feb. 1 to May 10 with any pronged or barbed instrument attached Flathead Catfish None** 13 inches to the end of a rigid object. You cannot Crappie 30 None take a fish by gigging from either a boat or Muskellunge platform. 2* 30 inches Tiger Muskellunge Walleye Where to Fish on the Ohio Sauger 10* None Much of the best fishing on the Ohio River is Hybrid Walleye (Sauger) concentrated near dams; however, a person Shovelnose Sturgeon None 25 inches shall not take fish within 200 yards below any dam on the Ohio River except by fishing pole *Singly or in aggregate means that the daily bag limit includes any combination of the species. or hand line. ** No more than one may be 35 inches or longer Access fees may be charged at some sites. *** No more than one may be 28 inches or longer • J.T. Myers Dam (Uniontown Dam), 15 miles southwest of Mount Vernon in Posey bank they shall follow the regulations of the County, accessible at Hovey Lake FWA Sport Fishing on the Ohio state in which they are fishing. • Newburgh Dam—in the town of Newburgh These regulations are the result of a coopera- While fishing for sport fish, you may use off State Road 66 tive effort by Indiana and five other Ohio River only poles or hand lines, float-fishing meth- states. In many cases, these rules differ sig- ods, set lines with one single- or multi-barbed • Cannelton Dam—follow Taylor Street nificantly from other laws and regulations in hooks, or up to two trot lines with no more south from State Road 66 in Cannelton Indiana. These rules and regulations apply only than 50 single- or multi-barbed hooks per line. • McAlpine Dam—located at Clarksville to the main stem of the Ohio River and do not These lines must be spaced at least 18 inches include any tributaries or embayments, where apart. Trot lines must be check at least once • Falls of the Ohio State Park—accessible general Indiana fishing regulations apply. every 24 hours. boat ramp located at George Rogers Clark An agreement between Indiana and Ken- Trot lines can be attached only to a tree Homesite in Clarksville (Access at New tucky allows that each state will recognize limb, a tree trunk, a bank pole or the bank Albany off of Water Street in Jaycee River- the fishing license issued by the other state itself. Each drop line on a trot line can bear front Park) on the main stem of the Ohio River, exclud- only one single or multi-barbed hook. • Markland Dam—near Markland in Swit- ing embayments and tributaries. This means Snagging is prohibited as a sport fishing zerland County. Accessible at DamVue you can fish the Ohio River bank to bank method on the Ohio River. River Camp or Vevay boat ramp with a license issued by either state. To fish Ohio River sport fish include largemouth embayments or tributaries, you must obtain a bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, yellow Minnows and Crayfish license from that state. An angler must abide bass, blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead -cat You may take minnows or crayfish from the by the regulations of the state by which they fish, black crappie, white crappie, tiger mus- Ohio River by the following methods only: are licensed except that when fishing from the kellunge, northern pike, trout, and paddlefish. • A minnow trap not to exceed three feet long and 18 inches in diameter nor having a throat opening greater than one inch in Wabash diameter River • A dip net no more than three feet in diameter Ohio • A minnow seine no more than 30 feet long and six feet deep nor having mesh size River larger than ¼ inch bar mesh • A cast net not to exceed 20 feet in diameter nor having mesh size larger than ¾ inch stretch

J.T. Myers Dam Newburgh Cannelton McAlpine Markland • Legal sportfishing methods listed on this (Uniontown Dam) Dam Dam Dam Dam page

20 2017-2018 INDIANA FISHING GUIDE REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS

REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS SEASONS AND LIMITS

Species Season Daily Bag Limit Possession Limit Restrictions

Game turtles Eastern Snapping Turtle July 1, 2017 to Turtle traps may be used but may not have an opening Smooth Softshell Turtle 4** 8** March 31, 2018 below the water surface. Spiny Softshell Turtle Game frogs Frogs may be taken with gig or spear with a head not Bull Frog more than 3 inches in width and a single row of tines; long bow and arrow; club; hands alone; or pole or June 15, 2017 to hand line with not more than one hook or artificial lure 25* 50* April 30, 2018 attached. Firearms for frog hunting are restricted to Green Frog .22-caliber loaded with shot only , or an air rifle that fires a lead pellet (.177 diameter minimum) at least 500 feet per second.

* Singly or in aggregate, which means the catch limit includes any combination of the species. ** 12-inch minimum carapace length

All reptiles and amphibians native to Indiana the turtle's neck to a central point on the back may take game frog and turtle species from a are regulated species. edge directly above the turtle's tail. DNR property where fishing and hunting is Species of frogs, lizards, salamanders, A license is required to take a reptile or authorized. snakes, toads, or turtles on the state- or amphibian from the wild (see table above). Other species of reptiles and amphibians federal-endangered species list may not be Indiana residents older than 17 must pos- may not be taken from any DNR property (see taken at any time. Eastern box turtles cannot sess a valid fishing or hunting license while wildlife.IN.gov/3328.htm). be collected from the wild at any time. collecting species of reptiles or amphibians The daily bag limit is 25 for game frog Eastern snapping turtles, smooth softshell from the wild. species and four for game turtle species. The turtles, and spiny softshell turtles can be All nonresident adults and nonresident possession limit is twice the daily bag limit. taken only between July 1 and March 31 of youth must possess a nonresident annual fish- Reptiles and amphibians collected from the the following year and must have a carapace ing or hunting license while collecting reptiles wild in Indiana may not be sold. (shell) length of at least 12 inches. or amphibians from the wild. Only legally collected amphibians or Carapace length is the straight-line meas- License holders must obey season dates and reptiles held for fewer than 30 days may be ure along the top surface of the shell from the bag limits, and use legal methods. An indi- released at their original capture site if they central point of the front edge directly behind vidual with a valid fishing or hunting license have never been housed with another . Rare Salamanders Be on the lookout for these salamanders! If caught, please cut the line, release unharmed, and contact (812) 334-1137. Hellbenders • A giant aquatic salamander that can reach 2 ½ feet in length • Found in the tributaries of the Wabash and Ohio Rivers in Southern Indiana • Prefer cool, rocky, swiftly flowing streams Round • Their presence indicates good water quality prominent toes • Feed mainly on crayfish, not fish • They are NOT venomous Wrinkles on side • Their slime is not poisonous No external gills • They have no negative effects on fish populations Flat and rounded head • Endangered in Indiana

Pointed snout Mudpuppies Small pointy toes. • A large aquatic salamander that can reach 16 inches in length • Found throughout Indiana • Live in lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams • Their presence indicates good water quality External gills. • Feed on crayfish, larval , and small fish Sometimes Stripe from these will nose through • They are NOT venomous appear eye to gills bright red. • Their slime is not poisonous • They have no negative effects on fish populations Photo courtesy of Greg Lipps • Special concern in Indiana

2017-2018 INDIANA FISHING GUIDE 21 WALLEYE SIZE WISE DNR KEEPS FINE TUNING STOCKING PROGRAM

As far as fish popularity goes, walleye rate “Twenty, 30 years ago there were two or three pretty high on the list for many Indiana good natural lakes to choose from. Now it’s anglers. amazing that we have the choices we do. A DNR survey found that walleye rank And new places are being added. Shriner No. 4 overall but jump to the top of the list Lake in Whitley County received 1,200 as a species anglers prefer to see stocked in advanced fingerlings last fall as the DNR Indiana waters. tries to establish walleye in another northern “There’s a lot of demand," said Brian Schoe- Indiana lake. Shriner, a 120-acre lake, became nung, chief of fisheries for the DNR Division a candidate because it has ample walleye habi- of Fish & Wildlife. “In fact, the demand is tat, plenty of forage, and because of successful more than our current hatchery facilities can advanced fingerling stockings at Sylvan Lake meet, so we see lake associations funding their in nearby Noble County. own walleye stockings.” “We have developed a very dense walleye That explains the DNR’s efforts to continu- population at Sylvan Lake and think we can ally tweak its walleye program in order to scale back the stocking there without affect- find which stocking and harvest regulation ing the quality of walleye fishing,” said Jed approach is best for targeted lakes. What’s Pearson, DNR fisheries biologist. “Doing so effective in a northern Indiana lake may not be frees up some fingerlings that we can stock in appropriate in southern Indiana. other lakes.” “Where we’re at right now probably is the Whatever the stocking option is for a given mature phase of the program,” Schoenung location, angler participation and catch rates said. “We’ve identified most of the lakes in the are additional considerations. state suitable for walleye stocking and where “In the end, it’s not successful if it’s not we’re going to have success. In a lot of those being used by anglers,” Schoenung said. places, we’re refining the number and size of “There’s a lot to that,” said fisheries biologist fish we stock.” Dave Kittaka, whose responsibilities include Stocking of hatchery-raised walleye in the walleye fishery at Lake Monroe, Indiana’s Indiana dates back to the early 1900s when the largest lake. “The success of the program is state bought eggs from federal sources, ferti- based on how many anglers target walleye lized them and reared them to fry stage, about and how many harvest or catch them. It’s a a quarter-inch long. Initial stockings were in difficult standard to set (at Monroe) compared the millions but proved marginally success- to other parts of the state. It’s the biggest lake. ful, prompting a switch to fingerling-sized It has the habitat and it has the food.” fish, about 1-2 inches long. The results weren’t Kittaka said that allows walleye to reach much better, so the state dropped the walleye legal size (14 inches for southern Indiana program in the 1940s. lakes) within two years … or less. The program was resurrected in the 1970s “We found walleye stocked (in the spring) after hatchery capacity was expanded and that were up to 11 inches by October,” he several large flood-control reservoirs were said. “It’s possible they will reach 14 inches or constructed. One of the reservoirs, Brookville, legal size by the following year. Patoka Lake’s eventually became the in-state brood source walleye are showing similar results. All of for walleye production. Each spring, DNR our southern Indiana walleye lakes have good fisheries biologists collect about 30 million water quality, tons of forage and accessibility. walleye eggs at Brookville and use state fish What’s missing at Monroe is pursuit of hatcheries to raise them for release into about walleye by anglers, who in past DNR surveys a dozen natural lakes, 10 reservoirs, and a have shown preference to largemouth bass, DNR fisheries biologist Dave Kittaka gathers couple rivers. walleye samples at night at Lake Monroe as crappie, and other species compared to angler Fry and fingerlings still comprise most part of an ongoing research project. Kittaka activity for walleye at northern Indiana lakes. of the annual stocking, but the state began considers Monroe an untapped opportunity for Part of the reason might be a lack of familiar- to experiment in 2001 with fall releases of anglers to catch the prize game fish. ity with successful walleye fishing techniques. advanced fingerlings. Their size – 6 to 8 inches “Walleye are just different, and people need – made them less susceptible to predation and to figure out how to catch them,” Kittaka said. more likely to survive. to continue the program. Having to go to For those who want to try, the rewards are “Over the years, we’ve seen the number of larger advanced fingerlings is more expensive, waiting. successful lakes stocked with 1-2 inch finger- but it’s either that or not have a program in “When we do our fish surveys and evalua- lings significantly decline,” said Neil Ledet, most of northern Indiana.” tions at Monroe, we’ve got walleye up to 9, 10 who recently retired after 40 years as a DNR The practice appears to be paying off. years old, so we’re establishing a population fisheries biologist. “Whether the decline is a “Most of the lakes where we stocked larger that continues to grow and get old,” Kittaka result of a change in water quality or the fact fingerlings, Sylvan, Winona, Clear, and said. “The potential of catching a 24-inch plus the number of largemouth bass has doubled in Crooked Lake in Steuben for example, are fish if you know what you’re doing is probably the natural lakes, we had to make adjustments far better than they ever were,” Ledet said. pretty good. Those fish are out there.”

22 RECORD FISH PROGRAM

INDIANA FISH RECORDS

Record Species Weight Water, County Angler Year Atlantic Salmon 14 lb., 4 oz. Lake Michigan (Lake) Gene Tarrant 1979 Bighead Carp 53 lb., 8 oz. White River (Pike) Duane Stafford 2000 Book Blue Catfish 104 lb. Ohio River Bruce Midkiff 1999 Bluegill 3 lb., 4 oz. Pond (Greene) Harold L. Catey 1972 Bowfin (Dogfish) 16.52 lb. Mutton Creek (Jackson) Paul Huber 2009 3 lb., 15 1/2 Brook Trout Lake Gage (Steuben) Sonny Bashore 1973 Adds 2 oz. Brown Trout 29.03 lb. Lake Michigan (Lake) Glen Duesing 2006 Buffalo 53.9 lb. Oak Hill Pond (Gibson) Kenneth Houchin 2002 Fish in ’16 Bullhead 4.9 lb. Potato Creek SP (St. Joseph) Darren Robertson 1994 7 lb., 11 oz. Lake Michigan Larry Malicki 1990 Last July, Jaxton Orr was night fishing from Channel Catfish 37 lb., 8 oz. Lake (Vanderburgh) Randy E. Jones 1980 his grandparents’ pier at Big Lake in Noble Chinook Salmon 38 lb. Trail Creek (LaPorte) Rich Baker 1980 County, hoping to catch a spotted gar. Cisco 3 lb., 12 oz. Big Cedar Lake (Whitley) Phillip Wisniewski 1980 “I think they are really cool fish,” he said. He’d caught one earlier in the summer. It Coho Salmon 20 lb., 12 oz. Lake Michigan (LaPorte) John Beutner 1972 was a big fish, he said, but he let it go with- Common Carp 43 lb., 4 oz. Pike Lake (Kosciusko) Russell Long 1989 out weighing it. Later, he looked up the state Crappie 4 lb., 11 oz. Private lake (Jennings) Willis Halcomb 1994 record for spotted gar, a species the DNR Flathead Catfish 79 lb., 8 oz. White River (Lawrence) Glen T. Simpson 1966 began keeping size records for in 2011. It was Flier 3 1/2 oz. Stream (Jackson) Harold H. Otte 1983 5.1 pounds, caught from Turtle Creek Reser- voir in Sullivan County in 2014 by Dale Haas. Freshwater Drum 30 lb. White River (Martin) Garland Fellers 1963 Nearing midnight on July 25, while his Goldeye 2.3 lb. Wabash River (Vermillion) Brock Marietta 2008 grandfather was watching TV and his grand- Grass Carp 65.2 lb. Private pond (Morgan) David Hughes 2002 mother was in bed, Jaxton’s glow bobber went Green Sunfish 1 lb., 10 oz. Pit (Fountain) Terry Keller 1987 underwater. “I just knew it was a gar from the way it Hybrid Striped Bass 22 lb., 2 oz. Tippecanoe River (Carroll) David G. Coffman 2005 acted,” said Jaxton, who was 13 at the time. “I Hybrid Walleye 8 lb., 8 oz. Scottsburg Reservoir (Scott) Doug Young 1999 just waited for it to start running and then I Lake Trout 37.55 lb. Lake Michigan Tyler Kreighbaum 2016 set the hook and then I could tell it was pretty Lake Whitefish 5 lb., 8 oz. Lake Michigan Dan Rostecki 2015 big, fast. It took about 10 to 20 seconds to get Largemouth Bass 14 lb., 12 oz. Lake (Harrison) Jenifer Schultz 1991 it in. I was horsing it in. I didn’t want it to take any line.” Longnose Gar 22.32 lb. White River/East Fork (Pike) Mark Brittain 2008 Jaxton’s scale showed his fish at 6.2 pounds, Muskellunge 42 lb., 8 oz. James Lake (Kosciusko) Darrin Conley 2002 bettering Haas’ catch by more than a pound. Northern Pike 30 lb., 2 oz. Clear Lake (Steuben) Jack Barnes 1992 The next day he took it to the local DNR office 2 lb., 12 1/2 Pink Salmon Lake Michigan (Lake) Richard J. Lisac 1985 to have the weight verified by two different oz. official scales, a requirement for a state record. Rainbow Trout 18 lb., 8 oz. Clear Lake (Steuben) Bill Bigger 1988 DNR fisheries biologist Jed Pearson verified Redear Sunfish 3 lb., 10 oz. Lake (Brown) R. Peckman 1974 the new record at 6.0 pounds. The length of Jaxton’s fish was 34.7 inches. Its girth meas- Rock Bass 3 lb. Sugar Creek (Hancock) David Thomas 1969 ured 11 3/8 inches. Sauger 6 lb., 1 oz. Tippecanoe River (Carroll) Mark Bigger 1983 Tyler Kreighbaum also put his name and a Shortnose Gar 1.58 lb. Wabash River (Wabash) Lindsey Fleshood 2010 37.55-pound lake trout into the record book, Shovelnose Sturgeon 14 lb., 8 oz. Wabash River (Fountain) Mike Latoz 1999 shattering the previous mark by about 8 pounds. Silver Carp 15 lb., 8 oz. White River/West Fork (Greene) Daniel Keller 2003 Kreighbaum, who operates a charter boat Smallmouth Bass 7 lb., 4 oz. Twin Lake (LaGrange) Dana Yoder 1992 service in Michigan City, said: “I caught it by Spotted Bass 5 lb., 5 oz. Vigo Larry Hinesley Jr. 2006 accident. I thought I was hooked on the bot- Spotted Gar 6 lb. Big Lake (Noble) Jaxton Orr 2016 tom. I was trying to break the line off. … I had Steelhead Trout 26.62 lb. Trail Creek (LaPorte) Evan Nicholson 1999 no clue it was a record. It was a big fish, but I didn’t know it was that big.” Striped Bass 39.08 lb. Cecil M. Harden Lake (Parke) Jonathan VanHook 2010 Biologists believe it was lake trout stocked Sucker 12 lb., 3.3 oz. White River (Bartholomew) John Britton 1991 in the 1970s because it had a clipped fin, a Tiger Muskellunge 24 lb. Wolf Lake (Lake) Michael Senics 1995 common practice at the time for research Tiger Trout 3 lb. Lake Michigan (Lake) Mike Ratter 1978 purposes. The average lake trout caught in 14 lb., 4 oz. Kankakee River (Lake) Leon Richart 1974 southern Lake Michigan is 8 to 10 years old Walleye and weighs 7.5 to 8 pounds. 14 lb., 4 oz. Tippecanoe River (Pulaski) Donald Tedford 1977 The DNR's State Record Fish Program Warmouth 1.4 lb. North Dugger Pit (Sullivan) Jack Tolbert 2002 was started in 1963 to honor the biggest fish White Bass 4 lb., 3 oz. Lake Freeman (Carroll) James Wagner 1965 caught based on their weight. White Catfish 9.72 lb. Pond (Wabash) Melissa Grimes 1985 For more information on entering the DNR’s Record Fish Program, visit Wildlife. Yellow Bass 2 lb., 15. oz. Morse Reservoir (Hamilton) Jim Raymer 2000 IN.gov/3577.htm Yellow Perch 2 lb., 8 oz. Gravel pit (Vigo) Roy W. Burkel Jr. 1981 23 2016 FISH OF THE YEAR Tippecanoe River was Tippecanoe in Kosciusko County to its conflu- ence with the Wabash River in Carroll County. The Tippecanoe winners came from four of Hot Spot for Big Fish those counties – Marshall, Pulaski, White, and Carroll. That’s spreading it around, which can’t There are a few sure bets about the DNR’s Fish generated only four total winners. be said for four anglers who dominated the of the Year Contest, which rewards anglers for On the flip side, Lake Michigan usually is year by combining to capture 11 of the 31 the biggest fish, measured in inches. the most common location for winning entries categories. One is that Robert Ecenbarger of Fort – four each in 2013, ’14, and ’15, and six in Besides Holbrook’s two wins, Shawn M. Wayne will catch the biggest cisco, which he 2012. But the big lake didn’t cough up a single Harris of Milan doubled up with blue catfish did for the sixth straight year. winner in 2016. and white catfish, and Mark Losee of Elkhart Another is that Tristan Weaver of Lakeville The five Fish of the Year pulled out of the won with spotted gar and warmouth. will catch the biggest steelhead, which he did Tippecanoe River were caught by four differ- But the most prolific angler was Jeff Arm- for the fourth straight year. ent anglers – bowfin and walleye by double strong, who submitted five winning fish – the But every so often there are notable winner Mark Holbrook of Winamac; sauger aforementioned sauger, plus the year’s best changes. by Jeff Armstrong of Wheatfield; smallmouth common carp, rock bass, white bass, and a tie In 2016 it was more about where fish were bass by Steven O. Williams of Monticello; and for biggest bluegill with Dennis Thompson of caught than who caught them. wiper (or hybrid striped bass) by Hao Wu of Indianapolis. The Tippecanoe River produced five win- West Lafayette. At least one winning entry was caught in ning entries in this year’s contest. In the previ- The Tippecanoe River touches six Indi- ous three contest years combined, Tippecanoe ana counties in its 182-mile run from Lake each month of the year except December. 2016 FISH OF THE YEAR CONTEST WINNERS • The longest winner was the 50-inch blue catfish Harris caught on the Ohio River. His white catfish, which measured 28 inches, Species Length Winner Body of Water County Caught is rare entry for that species, and also came Blue Catfish 50.0 Shawn M. Harris Ohio River Ohio within a whisker or two of the state record. Jeff Armstrong Lake Maxinkuckee Marshall Harris’ entry weighed 9.5 pounds; the state Bluegill 11.0 Dennis Thompson Krueger Lake Jefferson record is 9.72 pounds. Bowfin 32.5 Mark Holbrook Tippecanoe River Pulaski • The shortest winner was the 9.5-inch war- Buffalo 38.3 Brian Waldman Cagles Mill Lake Owen/Putnam mouth Losee caught at Simonton Lake in Elkhart County. Bullhead 16.0 Paul Weber Private pond Lake Channel Catfish 42.0 Nicholas R. Staigl Lake McCoy Decatur • Weaver’s 38 1/8-inch steelhead is the long- est of his four winning catches and one of Cisco 15.3 Robert Ecenbarger Little Crooked Lake Whitley the best ever in that category. Common Carp 32.5 Jeff Armstrong Bass Lake Starke Crappie 18.3 Mike Pasini Private Lake Johnson • Robert Kelley (42.5-inch northern pike at Marsh Lake) and Sullivan Hubert (14.5-inch Flathead Catfish 50.0 Jason Metz Eel River Clay yellow perch at ) landed Freshwater Drum 26.5 Sheena Donald Ohio River Switzerland their winning catches while ice fishing. Green Sunfish 11.0 Luke Tincher Private pond Orange • Sheena Donald’s 26.5-inch freshwater drum Hybrid Striped Bass 30.0 Hao Wu Tippecanoe River Carroll caught in the Ohio River was more than Largemouth Bass 29.0 Greg Burchett Private lake Ripley double the size of the 2015 winner. Longnose Gar 43.3UpdatedTristan Mobley chartWabash River Gibson Entering the annual Fish of the Year contest is Northern Pike 42.5 Robert L. Kelley Marsh Lake Steuben easy, and the rules are simple to follow. Visit Rainbow Trout 20.0 Larryto A.come Sheets Olin Lake LaGrange wildlife.IN.gov/3577.htm for more informa- Redear Sunfish 12.0 William Endorf Midland Lake Greene tion and an entry form. Close to half of this year’s winners were the Rock Bass 11.8 Jeff Armstrong Lake Maxinkuckee Marshall only entry for that species, so don’t hold back if Sauger 23.5 Jeff Armstrong Tippecanoe River Marshall you catch a nice fish in 2017. Shortnose Gar 28.3 Johnathon Marshall Wabash River Parke If you think you’ve caught a possible winner: Smallmouth Bass 20.5 Steven O. Williams Tippecanoe River White • Measure the length of the fish. Spotted Gar 24.3 Mark Losee Simonton Lake Elkhart • Have at least one person who is not a rela- Steelhead 38.1 Tristan Weaver Trail Creek LaPorte tive witness the measurement and include Striped Bass 40.3 Kody Neece Hardy Lake Scott his/her contact information. Sucker 25.0 Joseph Bickel Wabash River Huntington • Take one or more photos of the fish, prefer- Walleye 27.5 Mark Holbrook Tippecanoe River Pulaski ably of you holding the fish. Warmouth 9.5 Mark Losee Simonton Lake Elkhart • Mail the completed entry form, photos, and White Bass 19.5 Jeff Armstrong Lake Maxinkuckee Marshall a copy of your fishing license (if required) White Catfish 28.0 Shawn M. Harris Bischoff Reservoir Ripley to Record Fish Program, Division of Fish Yellow Bass 11.0 Kody Neece Hardy Lake Scott & Wildlife, 402 W. Washington St., Room Yellow Perch 14.5 Sullivan Hubert Lake of the Woods Marshall W273, Indianapolis, IN, 46204 or submit by email to [email protected]. 24 BIG FISH PHOTOS Where EVERY season is shing season!

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Sauger, Jeff Armstrong 2005 Charlestown - New Albany Rd. Jeffersonville, IN Mon-Fri 8am-6pm • Sat 8am-3pm 812-282-4636 • 877-801-5621 www.a2omarine.com Crappie, Mike Pasini 25 INDIANA FISH IDENTIFICATION Unless noted, all illustrations by Rick Hill, Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife. Sunfish

Bluegill Redear Black Crappie White Crappie 5 to 9 vertical bars on sides, Opercle flap (ear) is tipped with 7 to 8 dorsal spines, random 6 dorsal spines, black side black opercle flat (ear) with no red or orange margin. blotches on sides. markings form vertical bars margin, dark spot at rear of rather than random spots. dorsal fin.

Black Bass True Bass

Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Hybrid Striped White Bass Upper jaw extends beyond Upper jaw does not extend Two tooth patches on back of Single tooth patch on back of back of eye. beyond back of eye. tongue are joined, first stripe below tongue, first stripe below lateral complete to tail, stripes line not complete to tail. above lateral line usually broken.

Spotted Bass Striped Bass Red eye, horizontal lines of dark spots Tooth patches on back of tongue in two parallel on lower sides, upper jaw does not patches, first stripe below lateral line complete extend beyond back of eye. to tail, stripes above lateral line are unbroken.

Catfish

Blue Catfish Channel Catfish Flathead Catfish 30 to 35 anal fin rays, anal fin 24 to 29 rays in rounded anal fin, 14 to 17 anal fin rays, caudal fin slightly margin is straight, caudal fin is caudal fin is deeply forked, dark rounded or slightly notched. deeply forked. spots on sides when young.

Perch Salmon

Sauger Walleye Chinook Salmon or King Salmon Coho Salmon 3 or 4 saddle shaped blotches No spots on dorsal fin, dusky Teeth are set in dark gums, black spots Teeth are set in light color on back and sides, spotted spot at rear of spiny dorsal fin, on back and both lobes of square caudal gums, black spots on upper dorsal fin. lower tip of tail and anal fin are fin, 15 to 17 anal fin rays. lobe of slightly forked caudal white. fin, 12 to 15 anal fin rays.

26 2017-2018 INDIANA FISHING GUIDE Illustrations of coho salmon, northern pike courtesy of © Tim Knepp/ USFWS Illustrations of chinook salmon and lake trout by © Virgil Beck, courtesy of DNR Trout

Brown Trout Rainbow Trout or Steelhead Lake Trout White mouth, teeth and gums; caudal fin White mouth, teeth and gums; small White mouth, teeth and margin square with no spots on upper or lower black spots on back, sides, caudal and gums; caudal fin deeply lobe; stream dwelling browns possess some dorsal fins, caudal fin margin is square; 9 forked, body color light to orange/red spots on sides; resident brown to 12 anal fin rays. dark gray with light spots. trout in Lake Michigan possess black X-shaped markings on sides.

Northern Pike & Muskellunge

Northern Pike Muskellunge Elongated body and head with tooth-filled Elongated body and head with tooth-filled mouth shaped like a duck bill; white belly mouth shaped like a duck bill; coloration with green to yellow sides featuring rows of varies but typically dark vertical bar mark- lighter horizontal spots or streaks. Coloration ings on green or brown background. can vary depending on habitat — light green from lake to dark green from river.

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The consumption advisory is based on a Eating fish from rivers and streams is model that people are consuming 8 oz. of fish generally a much higher concern. Most on 225 days each year over 70 years. A deter- water bodies carrying do-not-eat consump- mination can then be made from concentra- tion advisories for all species are streams. The tions of contaminants in fish tested as to how fish consumption advisory has an extensive frequently they can be safely eaten (note the list of rivers and streams that have species fish consumption advisory groups). with group 4 and 5 consumption advisories; The consumption recommendation groups however, many streams contain species with range from 1 to 5 with 1 being unlimited low levels of contaminants. Several of the consumption and 5 being do not eat. Most major fished rivers that have some group 4 and anglers do not eat wild-caught fish nearly this 5 species are listed. Many of these rivers and frequently. As a result, if they are aware of the streams contain some very good catch-and- contaminant levels that likely are in the fish release fisheries. they catch, they should have little concern Consult the Indiana Fish Consumption about eating them. Advisory for much more detailed information The primary concern is the sensitive pop- at https://secure.in.gov/isdh/23650.htm. ulation. This population comprises women For more information on the fish consump- of childbearing years, nursing and pregnant tion advisory or answers to questions con- mothers, and children age 17 and younger. cerning the advisory, contact: The reason for extra concern is evidence of Indiana State Department of Health developmental problems in babies and young Division of Environmental Public Health children from contaminants at levels lower 100 N. Senate Ave., Room N855 than what can be safely eaten by male adults can make a tasty—and healthy—meal. Indianapolis, IN 46204 and women who cannot become pregnant. (317) 233-9264 The advisory reflects this concern. However, it is also important for this popu- lation to obtain the nutrients from eating the Guidelines to Reduce Is it Safe to Eat Your Fish? right fish during this time period. Combining Eating recreationally caught fish from Indiana consumption of wild-caught fish with fre- Your Risk waters can be healthy and tasty when you have quently eaten commercial sources of fish con- • Assume that any fish you catch is a group 2 the proper information. The following section taining contaminants could pose a health risk. if the site in which you caught it is not listed should alleviate most anglers’ concerns about Making the best choices in both sources of or the site where you are fishing is not listed eating wild-caught fish. fish can help women and children obtain the in the advisory. It’s all about a person’s exposure to con- benefits from fish while avoiding the health taminants over time. The two contaminants risks. Note the commercial fish consumption • Eat smaller, less fatty fish like panfish (blue- that drive the fish consumption advisory table for the at-risk group and for people that gill, perch and crappie). are mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls frequently consume commercial fish. • Remove fat near the skin of the fish before (PCBs). Both contaminants are generally Eating fish from lakes and reservoirs is cooking and broil, bake, or grill fish so the persistent in the environment at low enough Contaminant generally less of a concern. fat drips away. levels they do not pose a health risk from levels are generally very low in lakes and reser- direct contact with the water. However, both voirs (note major group 1 and 2 fishing waters • Unless noted otherwise, consider all carp contaminants accumulate in fish tissue. The table). Also note the table containing all of the from rivers and streams to fall under these contaminants accumulate in human tissue sampled lakes and reservoirs in Indiana that groups: Group 3, 15-20 in.; Group 4, 20-25 like they do in fish and can build to levels that had species of fish in groups 4 and 5. in.; Group 5, over 25 in. could pose a health threat. WILD FISH CONSUMPTION COMMERCIAL FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORY ADVISORY GROUPS Sensitive Population Species General Population Sensitive Advisory* General Group Population Population Fresh or canned salmon; shellfish Advisory* like shrimp, clams, crab, scallops and oysters; tilapia; ; canned "light" Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited consumption 1 meal per week 1 tuna; ; pollock; cod; farm-raised consumption consumption catfish; flounder; farm-raised rainbow trout; haddock; squid; whitefish 2 1 meal per week 1 meal per week Canned albacore "white" tuna (6 oz.), 3 1 meal per month 1 meal per month freshwater perch, grouper, halibut, 1 meal per week 1 meal per month mahi-mahi and lobster 1 meal every 4 Do not eat 2 months Shark, swordfish, tilefish, king mack- eral, orange roughy, Spanish mackeral, 1 meal per month Do not eat marlin, Chilean sea bass, walleye (Great 5 Do not eat Do not eat Lakes, ), fresh and frozen tuna

*Women of childbearing years, pregnant and nursing moth- *Women of childbearing years, nursing mothers, and children age 17 and younger. Contact the ISDH for more detailed ers, and children age 17 and younger. information on the commercial fish consumption advisory.

28 2017-2018 INDIANA FISHING GUIDE STATE LAKES WITH GROUP 4 & 5 SPECIES MAJOR RIVERS WITH GROUP 4 & 5 SPECIES GENERAL POPULATION ADVISORY GENERAL POPULATION ADVISORY (sensitive population should not consume) (sensitive population should not consume) Size Size Lake County Species Group River County Species Group (inches) (inches) Center Lake Kosciusko Black Bullhead 14+ 4 Little Hamilton/ Calumet Porter Channel Catfish All 4 Geist Reservoir Channel Catfish 27+ 4 Marion River Henderson Lake Noble Bluegill 6+ 4 Walleye < 21 4 Maumee Channel Catfish 19+ 4 Allen Walleye 21+ 5 River Hovey Lake Posey Smallmouth Buffalo 19+ 4 Rock Bass 8+ 4 White Bass 12+ 4 Ohio River All counties Channel Catfish 18+ 4 J. Edward Roush Lake Huntington Channel Catfish 28+ 4 St. Joseph Black Crappie 11+ 4 Lake Freeman White 17+ 4 Allen Lake James Steuben Northern Pike 36+ 4 River Rock Bass 9+ 4 Black Crappie 8+ 4 St. Marys Channel Catfish 15+ 4 Channel Catfish all 5 Allen River Largemouth Bass 15+ 4 Common carp all 5 Wabash Striped Bass 12+ 4 Freshwater Drum 16+ 4 Knox/Sullivan/Vigo River Wiper 12+ 4 Lake/ Lake Trout 27+ 5 Lake Michigan LaPorte/ Largemouth Bass 7+ 4 Randolph Channel Catfish 16+ 4 Porter Northern Pike 14+ 4 West Fork Marion Channel Catfish 20+ 4 Silver Redhorse < 25 4 White River (downstream of Silver Redhorse 25+ 5 Broad Ripple dam) Flathead Catfish 15+ 4 /Morgan Walleye 21+ 4 23+ 4 *Consult the fish consumption advisory for a complete listing. Lake Shafer White River Carpsucker 17+ 4 Marquette Lagoon/ Lake Bluegill 7+ 4 east & middle basins STATEWIDE SAFE EATING GUIDELINES Palestine Lake Kosciusko Largemouth Bass 15+ 4 Recommendations when a waterbody has not been sampled for a particular Pike Lake Kosciusko Largemouth Bass 13+ 4 species. Fish at or below the size listed should be safe for consumption once Sylvan Lake Noble Common carp 28+ 4 per week. The Sensitive Population includes women of childbearing years, Common carp 26+ 4 pregnant and nursing mothers, and children age 17 and younger. Winona Lake Kosciusko White Bass 16+ 4 Sensitive Fish Species General Population Wolf Lake Lake Largemouth Bass 17+ 4 Population

Largemouth Bass < 13" All

Rock Bass < 8 All

Smallmouth Bass < 12" All ALL STATE WATERS CARRYING Spotted Bass < 10" All White, Striped, Hy- DO-NOT-EAT ADVISORIES FOR ALL SPECIES < 18" < 33" brid Striped Bass Water County Buffalo < 19" All Clear Creek Monroe Elliot Ditch Tippecanoe Channel Catfish < 23" All Grand Calumet River/Indiana Harbor Canal Lake Flathead Catfish < 18" All Howard — from U.S. 31 to Kokomo Creek Wildcat Creek Crappie All All Little Mississinewa River Randolph Little Sugar Creek/Walnut Fork Montgomery Freshwater Drum < 14" All Marquette Lagoon/west basin Lake Pleasant Run Creek Lawrence Northern Pike < 20" < 41" Salt Creek downstream of Clear Creek Lawrence/Monroe Redhorse < 22" All Wea Creek Tippecanoe Howard/Carroll— down- Sunfish All All stream from the Waterworks Wildcat Creek Dam in Kokomo to the Sauger < 12" All Tippecanoe County line Walleye < 19" < 25"

2017-2018 INDIANA FISHING GUIDE 29 INDIANA CONTACT LISTS

LA PORTE A C F District Fisheries Biologists LAGRANGE STEUBEN LAKE PORTER G ST. JOSEPH 1. District 1 4. District 4 Lake Michigan Office ELKHART2 NOBLE DEKALB Tom Bacula Vacant Brian Breidert STARKE MARSHALL KOSCIUSKO

Kankakee FWA Cikana State Fish Hatchery Lake Michigan Investigation JASPER WHITLEY ALLEN 4320 W. Toto Road 2650 SR 44 100 W. Water St. NEWTON PULASKI FULTON North Judson, IN 46366 Martinsville, IN 46151 Michigan City, IN 46360 1 3 (574) 896-3673 (765) 342-5527 (219) 874-6824 WHITE CASS MIAMI WABASH HUNTING- WELLS ADAMS TON 2. District 2 5. District 5 Big Rivers BENTON CARROLL Fisheries Program Vacant Dave Kittaka HOWARD GRANT BLACK- JAY Fawn River State Bloomington Field Office Craig Jansen WARREN TIPPECANOE FORD Fish Hatchery 5596 E. SR 46 Sugar Ridge FWA CLINTON TIPTON 6889 N. SR 327 Bloomington, IN 47401 2310 E. SR 364 MADISON DELAWARE RANDOLPH V FOUNTAIN MONTGOMERY BOONE HAMILTON Orland, IN 46776 (812) 287-8300 Winslow, IN 47598 E R M (260) 829-6241 (812) 789-2724 I HENRY WAYNE 6. District 6 L L 4 3. District 3 Rebecca Munter Nongame I PARKE PUTNAM HENDRICKS MARION HANCOCK O Jed Pearson Sugar Ridge FWA Fisheries Program N RUSH FAYETTE UNION MORGAN NERO 2310 E. SR 364 Brant Fisher JOHNSON SHELBY CLAYVIGO 1353 S. Governors Drive Winslow, IN 47598 Atterbury FWA B FRANKLIN OWEN Columbia City, IN 46725 (812) 789-2724 7970 S. Rowe St. MONROE BROWN BARTHOLOMEW DECATUR RIPLEY DEARBORN (260) 244-6805 Edinburgh, IN 46124 SULLIVAN GREENE (812) 526-5816 JENNINGS JACKSON 5 OHIO SWITZERLAND KNOX DAVIESS MARTIN LAWRENCE D JEFFERSON SCOTT State Fish Hatcheries E ORANGE WASHINGTON A. Bodine State D. Driftwood State G. Mixsawbah State CLARK GIBSON PIKE DUBOIS Fish Hatchery Fish Hatchery Fish Hatchery 6 FLOYD 13200 Jefferson Blvd. 4931 S. CR 250W 5500 S. CR 675E CRAWFORD POSEY VANDER- WARRICK SPENCER PERRY HARRISON Mishawaka, IN 46545 Vallonia, IN 47281 Walkerton, IN 46574 BURGH (574) 255-4199 (812) 358- 4110 (219) 369-9591 B. Cikana State E. East Fork State Fish Hatchery Fish Hatchery 2650 SR 44 5813 E. CR 825S Martinsville, IN 46151 Montgomery, IN 47558 (765) 342-5527 (812) 644-7717 C. Curtis Creek Trout F. Fawn River State Rearing Station Fish Hatchery LA PORTE ST. JOSEPH ELKHART LAGRANGE STEUBEN 4250 E. CR 410N 6889 N. SR 327 LAKE PORTER Howe, IN 46746 Orland, IN 46776 NOBLE DEKALB (260) 562-3855 (260) 829-6241 STARKE MARSHALL 10 1KOSCIUSKO 2 NEWTON JASPER PULASKI FULTON WHITLEY ALLEN DNR Law Enforcement Districts WHITE CASS MIAMI WABASH HUNTING- WELLS ADAMS Contact DNR Law Enforcement Central Dispatch (24 hours) to report violations or if you TON BENTON need assistance from an Indiana Conservation Officer. Call 1-800-TIP-IDNR to report any CARROLL GRANT poaching activities. TIPPECANOE HOWARD BLACK- JAY FORD WARREN Central Dispatch 4. District 4 Headquarters 8. District 8 Headquarters CLINTON TIPTON MADISON DELAWARE 4850 S. SR 446 3734 Mounds Road 3084 N. Dillard Road 3 V FOUNTAIN MONTGOMERY BOONE HAMILTON RANDOLPH Bloomington, IN 47401 Anderson, IN 46017 Birdseye, IN 47513 E R 4 (812) 837-9536 (765) 649-1062 (812) 685-2498 M I HENRY WAYNE L L PARKE PUTNAM HENDRICKS MARION HANCOCK I O N 5. District 5 Headquarters 9. District 9 Headquarters RUSH UNION JOHNSON FAYETTE 1. District 1 Headquarters 1317 W. Lieber Road 1387 E. U.S. 50 VIGO CLAY MORGAN SHELBY 9822 N. Turkey Suite 2 Versailles, IN 47042 FRANKLIN Creek Road Cloverdale, IN 46120 (812) 689-4370 OWEN 6 5 MONROE BROWN BARTHOLOMEW DECATUR9 Syracuse, IN 46567 (765) 795-3534 DEARBORN (574) 457-8092 SULLIVAN GREENE 10. District 10 Headquarters JENNINGS RIPLEY 6. District 6 Headquarters 100 W. Water St. LAWRENCE JACKSON OHIO SWITZERLAND 2. District 2 Headquarters P.O. Box 266 Michigan City, IN 46360 KNOX DAVIESS MARTIN JEFFERSON 1353 S. Governors Drive Nashville, IN 47448 (219) 879-5710 WASHINGTON SCOTT Columbia City, IN 46725 (812) 988-9761 ORANGE CLARK (260) 244-3720 8 DUBOIS GIBSON 7PIKE CRAWFORD FLOYD 7. District 7 Headquarters HARRISON 3. District 3 Headquarters 2310 E. SR 364 POSEY VANDER- WARRICK SPENCER PERRY 4112 E. SR 225 Winslow, IN 47598 BURGH West Lafayette, IN 47906 (812) 789-9538 (765) 567-7859

30 2017-2018 INDIANA FISHING GUIDE LA PORTE A C F LAGRANGE STEUBEN Fish & Wildlife Areas 16 LAKE PORTER G ST. JOSEPH LA PORTE ST. JOSEPH ELKHART STEUBEN ELKHART2 LAGRANGE 1. Atterbury FWA 10. Hovey Lake FWA 17. Splinter Ridge FWA LAKE PORTER NOBLE DEKALB STARKE MARSHALL KOSCIUSKO 7970 S. Rowe St. 15800 Raben Road South Contact Crosley FWA 14 NOBLE DEKALB STARKE MARSHALL 19 JASPER WHITLEY ALLEN PO Box 3000 Mt. Vernon, IN 47620 18. Sugar Ridge FWA 13 KOSCIUSKO NEWTON PULASKI FULTON Edinburgh, IN 46124 (812) 838-2927 2310 E. SR 364 15 12 (812) 526-2051 NEWTON 23 FULTON WHITLEY ALLEN 1 3 11. J. E. Roush FWA Winslow, IN 47598 JASPER PULASKI WHITE CASS MIAMI WABASH HUNTING- WELLS ADAMS 2. Blue Grass FWA 517 N. Warren Road (812) 789-2724 22 HUNTING- TON TON Contact Sugar Ridge FWA Huntington, IN 46750 WHITE CASS MIAMI WABASH WELLS ADAMS BENTON CARROLL 19. Tri-County FWA 11 (260) 468-2165 BENTON HOWARD GRANT BLACK- JAY 3. Chinook FWA 8432 N. CR 850E CARROLL FORD WARREN TIPPECANOE Contact Deer Creek FWA 12. Jasper-Pulaski FWA Syracuse, IN 46567 GRANT CLINTON TIPTON HOWARD BLACK- JAY TIPPECANOE FORD MADISON DELAWARE RANDOLPH 4. Crosley FWA 5822 N Fish & Wildlife Ln (574) 834-4461 WARREN Medaryville, IN 47957 CLINTON TIPTON V FOUNTAIN MONTGOMERY BOONE HAMILTON 2010 S. SR 3 20. Wabashiki FWA E MADISON DELAWARE RANDOLPH R (219) 843-4841 M North Vernon, IN 47265 Contact Deer Creek FWA FOUNTAIN I HENRY WAYNE V MONTGOMERY BOONE HAMILTON L (812) 346-5596 13. Kankakee FWA E L 4 21. Wilbur Wright FWA R HENRY I PARKE PUTNAM HENDRICKS MARION HANCOCK M O 4320 W. Toto Road I 21 WAYNE N RUSH FAYETTE UNION 5. Deer Creek FWA 2239 N. SR 103 L PO Box 77 L PUTNAM HENDRICKS MARION HANCOCK MORGAN 2001 W. CR 600 New Castle, IN 47362 I PARKE JOHNSON SHELBY O CLAYVIGO North Judson, IN 46366 B FRANKLIN Greencastle, IN 46135 (765) 529-9581 N RUSH FAYETTE UNION (574) 896-3522 VIGO 5 OWEN (765) 653-0453 MORGAN JOHNSON SHELBY MONROE BROWN BARTHOLOMEW DECATUR 22. Willow Slough FWA CLAY 20 FRANKLIN RIPLEY DEARBORN 14. Kingsbury FWA DECATUR SULLIVAN GREENE 6. Fairbanks Landing FWA 1803 S. CR 700W 3 1 JENNINGS Contact Deer Creek FWA 5344 S. Hupp Road , IN 47963 OWEN BROWN BARTHOLOMEW JACKSON 5 OHIO LaPorte, IN 46350 (219) 285-2704 6 9 MONROE RIPLEY DEARBORN SWITZERLAND 7. Glendale FWA (219) 393-3612 JENNINGS KNOX DAVIESS MARTIN LAWRENCE D JEFFERSON SULLIVAN 8 GREENE 6001 E. CR 600S 23. Winamac FWA JACKSON SCOTT LAWRENCE 4 OHIO ORANGE WASHINGTON 15. LaSalle FWA E Montgomery, IN 47558 1493 W. CR 500N SWITZERLAND 4752 W. CR 1050N KNOX DAVIESS MARTIN JEFFERSON CLARK (812) 644-7711 Winamac, IN 46996 17 Lake Village, IN 46349 SCOTT GIBSON PIKE DUBOIS (574) 946-4422 WASHINGTON 6 FLOYD 8. Goose Pond FWA CRAWFORD (219) 992-3019 7 ORANGE CLARK 1815 SR 59 S PIKE POSEY VANDER- WARRICK SPENCER PERRY HARRISON 16. Pigeon River FWA GIBSON DUBOIS BURGH Linton, IN 47441 18 CRAWFORD (812) 659-9901 8310 E. CR 300N FLOYD Box 71 9. Hillenbrand FWA POSEY VANDER- 2 WARRICK SPENCER PERRY HARRISON Mongo, IN 46771 BURGH Contact Goose Pond FWA (260) 367-2164 10

LA PORTE ST. JOSEPH ELKHART LAGRANGE STEUBEN LA PORTE ST. JOSEPH ELKHART LAGRANGE STEUBEN State Reservoirs & Forests A. Brookville Lake H. Salamonie Lake 7. Martin SF LAKE PORTER LAKE PORTER NOBLE DEKALB NOBLE DEKALB 14108 SR 101 9214 W. Lost Bridge W 14040 Williams Road PO Box 100 Andrews, IN 46702 Shoals, IN 47581 STARKE MARSHALL KOSCIUSKO STARKE MARSHALL Brookville, IN 47012 (260) 468-2125 (812) 247-3491 10 1KOSCIUSKO 2 NEWTON JASPER PULASKI FULTON WHITLEY ALLEN ALLEN (765) 647-2657 NEWTON JASPER PULASKI FULTON WHITLEY 1. Clark SF 8. Morgan-Monroe SF B. Cagles Mill Lake P.O. Box 119 6220 Forest Road WABASH WHITE CASS MIAMI HUNTING- WELLS ADAMS WHITE CASS MIAMI WABASH HUNTING- WELLS ADAMS 1317 W.Lieber Road #2 Service Road Martinsville, IN 46151 H TON TON Suite 1 (765) 342-4026 BENTON E BENTON Henryville, IN 47126 CARROLL CARROLL Cloverdale, IN 46120 GRANT GRANT (812) 294-4306 9. Owen-Putnam SF HOWARD BLACK- JAY TIPPECANOE HOWARD BLACK- JAY (765) 795-4576 TIPPECANOE FORD FORD 2. Deam Lake SRA 2153 Fish Creek Road WARREN WARREN CLINTON TIPTON CLINTON TIPTON MADISON DELAWARE C. Cecil M. Harden Lake 1217 Deam Lake Road Spencer, IN 47460 MADISON DELAWARE RANDOLPH 3 1588 S. Raccoon Parkway Borden, IN 47106 (812) 829-2462 FOUNTAIN MONTGOMERY BOONE HAMILTON FOUNTAIN MONTGOMERY BOONE HAMILTON RANDOLPH V V Rockville, IN 47872 (812) 246-5421 E E 10. Pike SF R R 4 (765) 334-1884 M HENRY WAYNE M HENRY WAYNE 3. Ferdinand SF 5994 E. SR 364 I I L L D. Hardy Lake L PARKE PUTNAM HENDRICKS MARION HANCOCK L PARKE PUTNAM HENDRICKS MARION HANCOCK 6583 E. SR 264 Winslow, IN 47598 I I O O 5620 Hardy Lake Road (812) 367-1524 N C N Ferdinand, IN 47532 RUSH FAYETTE UNION RUSH UNION JOHNSON FAYETTE Scottsburg, IN 47170 (812) 367-1524 VIGO CLAY MORGAN SHELBY 11. Selmier SF B MORGAN JOHNSON SHELBY A (812) 794-3800 VIGO CLAY 4. Greene-Sullivan SF 905 E. CR 350N FRANKLIN FRANKLIN 9 8 DECATUR E. Mississinewa Lake North Vernon, IN 47265 OWEN BROWN OWEN 6 2551 S. SR 159 BARTHOLOMEW 5 MONROE BROWN BARTHOLOMEW DECATUR9 4673 S. 625E (812) 346-2286 MONROE 13 DEARBORN Dugger, IN 47848 SULLIVAN RIPLEY DEARBORN SULLIVAN GREENE Peru, IN, 46970 GREENE F RIPLEY (812) 648-2810 12. Starve Hollow SRA 4 JENNINGS JACKSON 11 (765) 473-6528 JENNINGS OHIO LAWRENCE JACKSON OHIO 5. Harrison-Crawford SF 4345 S. 275 W., Box 291 LAWRENCE SWITZERLAND 6 SWITZERLAND KNOX DAVIESS MARTIN JEFFERSON F. Monroe Lake 7240 Old Forest Rd SW Vallonia, IN 47281-9741 KNOX DAVIESS MARTIN D JEFFERSON WASHINGTON 4850 S. SR 446 (812) 358-3464 12 SCOTT SCOTT Corydon, IN 47112 7 WASHINGTON Bloomington, IN 47401 ORANGE (812) 738-7694 13. Yellowwood SF ORANGE 1 CLARK (812) 837-9546 CLARK 6. Jackson-Washington SF 772 Yellowwood Lake Rd. GIBSON PIKE DUBOIS G 2 8 CRAWFORD DUBOIS GIBSON 7PIKE CRAWFORD FLOYD G. Patoka Lake 1278 E. SR 250 Nashville, IN 47448 10 3 FLOYD HARRISON 3084 N. Dillard Road Brownstown, IN 47220 (812) 988-7945 5 POSEY VANDER- WARRICK SPENCER PERRY POSEY VANDER- WARRICK SPENCER PERRY HARRISON BURGH Birdseye, IN 47513 (812) 358-2160 BURGH (812) 685-2464

2017-2018 INDIANA FISHING GUIDE 31 NEWS & NOTES Eagle Marsh berm blocks Asian carp path

Asian carp have one less route to the Great For more information on the actions of the Lakes, thanks to the completion of a bar- ACRCC, please visit: www.asiancarp.us. rier at Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve in Fort Regulaciones de Pesca Muskie stocking changed El DNR División de peces y vida silves- Wayne. Responding to a decline in muskie fishing tre (DFW) ha publicado un folleto de Closure of the potential pathway through at Lake Webster, the DNR has modified its reglamento de pesca de seis páginas construction of a new earthen berm across stocking program at the popular northern en español llamado "Regulaciones de the floodway at Eagle Marsh prevents the Indiana lake. Pesca, Indiana 2017." interbasin passage of Asian carp into Lake Normally, biologists stock 8- to 10-inch Erie from the Wabash River. La idea fue estimulada por la investi- muskies in the fall. Instead, they kept 1,500 Asian carp are widely considered a grave gación por el recreo y pesca Fundación fish over the winter of 2015-16 at Fawn River threat to the ecological health, stability and (RBFF) que mostraron los Latinos a nivel State Hatchery in Orland and fattened them nacional disfrutan de actividades al aire value of the Great Lakes. Preventing the up with minnows. When the muskies were libre, pero participan en pesca en tasas introduction and establishment of Asian carp released last spring at Lake Webster, they más bajas. El DNR espera para ayudar a into the Great Lakes is a national priority. were 12-14 inches long. los hispanohablantes a superar barreras, The 716-acre Eagle Marsh wetland is By stocking larger muskies in spring, tales como la falta de información y owned jointly by the Little Rivers Wetlands biologists hope to overcome factors that experiencia, con esta versión resumida Project and the Indiana Department of reduced muskie survival in recent years. de la guía de pesca de 2017, en español. Natural Resources. The U.S. Department of Muskies were first stocked into Lake Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conserva- Existen sitios web como Vamos a Pescar, Webster in 1981. By the mid-1990s, the tion Service (NRCS) holds a Wetland Reserve por RBFF, dan a Latino información lake developed into a fishing hotspot that general de los pescadores de pesca Program (WRP) easement on the site. attracted muskie anglers from throughout deportiva, pero no ofrece regulaciones Construction of the 1.7-mile-long, 7.5-feet- the Midwest. In 2005, anglers caught 2,200 estado-específicas, según Mark Reiter, high berm took about three months and muskies. Last year, they caught 560. Fishing Director de DFW. used 177,000 cubic yards of compacted fill. efforts directed at muskies dropped by 50 The project cost about $4.4 million and used "Queremos que todos tengan acceso a percent over the same period. WRP funds from NRCS to construct the las regulaciones que puedan entender berm and Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Northern lakes crappie study fácilmente", dijo Reiter. (GLRI) funds for work outside of the WRP Catching nearly 5,000 black in Regulaciones de Pesca se puede site. one day at Shipshewana Lake might be an encontrar en la caza del estado de www. angler’s dream, but for DNR fisheries biolo- fishing.IN.gov. gist Steve Donabauer the catch was nearly a Regulaciones también se traducirá en nightmare. un formato similar para las temporadas He caught them last April in two trap 2016 -17. nets as part of a region-wide study of crappie numbers and sizes. Most were small. The first-of-its-kind study will help DNR biologists understand crappie populations in northern Indiana’s glacial lakes. Previous information on crappies was limited because The previous regulation involved a 12- to they are difficult to catch in standard fish- 15-inch slot limit. It was enacted to encour- population surveys. age anglers to harvest more largemouth bass, “We bought some newly designed trap thereby increasing the size of remaining bass. nets that can target crappies, especially in the The new regulation will result in decreased spring,” Donabauer said. “The huge catch at bass harvest. Decreased bass harvest will lead Shipshewana obviously proved they work.” to increased predation on gizzard shad, help- The traps worked so well Donabauer ing protect panfishing at all three lakes. removed them after the first day. Enough was Catfish nest boxes placed enough. Channel catfish may be more likely to REELFOOT LAKE In addition to Shipshewana in LaGrange reproduce in a Hoosier National Forest lake, County, DNR biologists sampled seven other thanks to work by DNR fisheries biologists. lakes – Simonton (Elkhart County), North When Saddle Lake, near Tell City, was Twin (LaGrange County), Hudson (LaPorte drawn down for dam repairs last year, DNR County), Mill Pond (Marshall County), 2017 SPECIAL biologists placed 19 nesting boxes in the T Big and Skinner (Noble County), and Gage FISHING PACKAGE exposed lake bed in an effort to improve (Steuben). 3 Days & 3 Nights of Fishing natural reproduction of the sport fish. , Shakamak bass limits changed plus tax, Half of the boxes were covered with large minimum 2 people. Shakamak, Kickapoo and Lenape lakes rock. The purpose is to see if the rock will Includes: Lodging, Boat, in Shakamak State Park now have a 14-inch improve spawning and success. Motor, Gas, Bait and Ice. minimum length limit for black bass. Biologists will use an underwater camera to ORTAN RORT The change became effective last year as a monitor box use by channel catfish this sum- Please visit for more information on specials. way to help control gizzard shad populations mer, then conduct netting in the fall to see if [email protected] in the park. young channel catfish are collected.

32 2017-2018 INDIANA FISHING GUIDE 䠀唀一吀 䘀䤀匀䠀 䌀䄀䴀倀

OVER 55,000 ACRE匀 of public land for hunting OVER 36,000 ACRE匀 of water for fi shing OVER 7,500 campsites/cabins available Turkey Hunting at Mississinewa Lake

Brookville Lake │Cagles Mill Lake │Cecil M. Harden Lake Mississinewa Lake │Hardy Lake │ Monroe Lake Patoka Lake │ Salamonie Lake

For information on hunter education classes, youth hunting events, trapping courses and other outdoor skills programs, visit interpretiveservices.IN.gov.

Prefer a little more comfort Inn Reservations Camping/Shelter/Cabin Reservations than a tent or a camper? IndianaInns.com camp.IN.gov Check out Indiana State Park Inns. or 1-877-LODGES 1 or 1-866-622-6746

stateparks.IN.gov

2017Hunt FishCamp_ad.indd 1 12/14/2016 3:34:55 PM The fi shing isn’t better anywhere in Indiana than it is in Steuben County, home of Northern Indiana Lakes Country. Steuben County has more natural lakes than any county in Indiana, ranging from small uninhabited lakes to some of Indiana’s largest well-known natural lakes such as Lake James and Crooked Lake. Bass, bluegill, perch, crappies, walleye, northern pike- we’ve got them all, and many more. We have numerous public access boat launching sites, and are also home to the recently opened Trine State Recreation Area, where you can fi sh right off the dock. Stop at one of our well-stocked bait and tackle shops, and get out there!

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