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Home , Bantam sunfish, Blue catfish, Channel catfish, Jug fishing, Spotted bass

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DNR Law Enforcement Division Serving the public and protecting the natural resources of the State of Indiana Indiana Conservation Officers assist during emergencies, enforce state laws, conduct outdoor education programs, and perform rescue operations.

Hunter Education Learn hunter responsibility and ethics, wildlife conservation and management, firearms safety, wildlife identification, survival, and first aid. The program is for all Hoosiers who enjoy the outdoors. Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1986 must successfully complete a class offered by the DNR. Courses are offered statewide. For a listing of available classes, or to replace a lost card, visit www.dnr.IN.gov. Boat Indiana Boaters must obey laws pertaining to registration and titling, safety laws, and operational regulations. Access the Handbook on Boating Laws and Responsibilities at boat-ed.com/in/handbook. An online certification course is also offered at boat-ed.com/in. T.I.P. (Turn in a Poacher) T.I.P. is a program to eliminate the illegal taking of Indiana’s and wildlife and stop pollution and destruction of rivers and wetlands. Rewards are offered. Call 800-TIP-IDNR.

DNR Law Enforcement Offices:

DNR Headquarters North Region Headquarters 402 W. St., Rm W255D 765-473-9722 Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-232-4010 South Region Headquarters dnr.IN.gov 812-837-9536 DNRecreation Online dnr.IN.gov CAMP.IN.gov wildlife.IN.gov indianaINNS.com 43 DNR Law Enforcement New Several important changes in Northern Districts for 2007 regulations are now in effect including:

ST. JOSEPH ELKHART LA GRANGE LA PORTE STEUBEN North Region Headquarters LAKE PORTER (page 49) NOBLE DE KALB 10 MARSHALL 1124 N Rd. STARKE KOSCIUSKO A 20” minimum size limit and one-fish daily bag limit on JASPER 1 WHITLEY ALLEN Peru, IN 46970 NEWTON PULASKI FULTON 2 black bass (smallmouth, largemouth, spotted) in Sugar Creek in WABASH HUNT- (765) 473-9722 WHITE CASS MIAMI INGTON WELLS ADAMS west central Indiana;

BENTON CARROLL GRANT A protected 12”-15” slot size limit on black bass at the Blue District 1 Headquarters TIPPECANOE HOWARD BLACK- JAY FORD WARREN CLINTON TIPTON River in southern Indiana where bass smaller than 12 inches and 9822 N Turkey Creek Rd. 3 MADISON DELAWARE RANDOLPH FOUNTAIN MONTGOMERY HAMILTON BOONE 4 longer than 15 inches may be taken but only 2 of the 5 bass daily Syracuse, IN 46567 V HENRY E R WAYNE M IL LI PARKE HENDRICKS MARION HANCOCK bag limit may be larger than 15 inches; (574) 457-8092 O PUTNAM N RUSH

SHELBY FAYETTE UNION JOHNSON MORGAN District 2 Headquarters VIGO CLAY (page 47) FRANKLIN OWEN 6 5 DECATUR 1353 S Governors Dr. MONROE BROWN BARTHOLOMEW DEARBORN Bowfishing is now allowed day or night for certain fish SULLIVAN RIPLEY GREENE Columbia City, IN 46725 JENNINGS 9 JACKSON at 8 large stream reaches where and spearing LAWRENCE OHIO

KNOX MARTIN JEFFERSON SWITZERLAND (260) 244-3720 DAVIESS was already permitted; WASHINGTON SCOTT ORANGE 8 CLARK PIKE District 3 Headquarters DUBOIS GIBSON 7 CRAWFORD FLOYD J.C. Murphey Lake (page 47) HARRISON PERRY 30 Professional Court, Suite #1 WARRICK POSEY VANDER- SPENCER BURGH Experimental rules for and panfish are now Lafayette, IN 47905 permanent at this popular fishing lake at Willow Slough Fish (765) 447-9582 and Wildlife Area in Newton County. Bass are regulated by an District 4 Headquarters 18” minimum size limit (and 2 fish daily bag limit) and there is a 3734 Mounds Rd. District 10 Headquarters combined 25 fish daily bag limit for , redear and crappie. Anderson, IN 46017 100 W Water St. (765) 649-1062 Michigan City, IN 46360 Shovelnose Sturgeon (page 44) (219) 879-5710 Shovelnose sturgeon must be at least 25” long from the tip of Southern Districts the snout to the fork of the tail in order to be taken; South Region Headquarters District 7 Headquarters Trout (page 48) 4850 S SR 446 2310 E SR 364 The former closed season for inland stream trout fishing has Bloomington, IN 47401 Winslow, IN 47598 been changed to a “ only” season from January (812) 837-9536 (812) 789-9538 1 through April 14. The closed season now runs from April 15 to the last Saturday in April (opening day) during which the District 5 Headquarters District 8 Headquarters hatcheries complete the annual trout stockings; 1317 W Lieber Rd. Suite 2 Patoka Lake Opening day for stream trout season is still the last Saturday in Cloverdale, IN 46120 3084 N Dillard Rd. April. However, starting time has been changed from 5:00 a.m. (765) 795-3534 Birdseye, IN 47513 to 6:00 a.m. local time to adjust to daylight savings time; District 6 Headquarters (812) 685-2498 A brown trout bag limit of 1 fish (out of the daily limit of P.O. Box 266 District 9 Headquarters 5 trout) now applies at inland lakes and streams, but does not Nashville, IN 47448 11050 Keeler Rd. apply to Lake Michigan and its tributaries; (812) 988-9761 Brookville, IN 47012 Designation of three stream segments in Elkhart County (765) 647-5835 (totaling 2.8 miles) as “catch and release only” and “artificial lures or only” trout fishing areas; Catching a memory Finding a different way to make the most of a situation is making a difference for fishing on Indiana’s larger bodies of public water. These waters are producing big fish to create big moments and memories for anglers. These top predator fish are the product of special fishing management programs that lure-in anglers to catch these line busters. These fish are a test of your will, knowledge, and persistence. Give these waters a chance to change your life, they’re already there for you. Muskie: Walleye: : Bass Lake, Sullivan Co. Bass Lake, Starke Co. Patoka Reservoir, Orange Co. Ball Lake, Steuben Co. Brookville Reservoir, Franklin Co. Brookville Reservoir, Franklin Co. Barbee Lakes, Kosciusko Co. Cagle’s Mill Reservoir, Owen Co. Harden Reservoir, Parke Co. Loon Lake, Noble Co. Clear Lake, Steuben Co. Hybrid Striped bass: Plover Pit, Bartholomew Co. Lake Maxinkuckee, Marshall Co. Lake Freeman, Carroll Co. Sandpiper Pit, Bartholomew Co. Monroe Reservoir, Monroe Co. Lake Shafer, White Co. Skinner Lake, Noble Co. Pike Lake, Kosciusko Co. Monroe Reservoir, Monroe Co. Tippecanoe Lake, Kosciusko Co. Salamonie Reservoir, Wabash Co. Webster Lake, Kosciusko Co. Trout and Salmon: Lake Michigan, Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Co. Big Little Calumet River and its tributaries, Porter Co. Hovey Lake, Posey Co. Trail Creek and its tributaries, LaPorte Co. , Cannelton Pool, Perry Co. St. Joseph River, St. Joseph Co. 44 DNRecreation & Fishing Guide General Fishing Regulations Boating and Life Preserver Rules Special Bag Limits All motorboats used in public waters must be registered. For a There is no bag limit on catfish taken from streams and no copy of Indiana boating laws, write to Div. of Law Enforcement, bag limit on channel catfish taken from Gibson Lake (Gibson 402 W. Washington St., Room W255D, Indianapolis, IN 46204. County) or Turtle Creek Reservoir (Sullivan County). In all other A U.S. Coast Guard approved Type 1, 2, 3 or 5 wearable lakes and reservoirs, the bag limit is 10 fish for any combination personal floatation device is required for each person in any of flathead, blue or channel catfish. boat. Boats 16 feet and longer, except for canoes or kayaks, must also have one USCG approved throwable PFD on board. Lake Length Measurement Michigan, the Ohio River and boundary waters of the Wabash To determine the accurate length of a fish, measure a straight River have special regulations. Call the USCG at 1-800-368-5647 line from the tip of the jaw (mouth closed) to the tip of the for a copy of federal boating regulations. compressed tail fin. On state-owned, leased or licensed lakes smaller than 300 acres, Measure with mouth closed and tail compressed to determine only electric motors may be used. No more than two 12-volt total length. batteries can be used to power motors on these waters. Total Length Closed Seasons/Closed Areas There is no closed season for bass in Indiana. Inland trout seasons and closures are listed on page 48. Lake Michigan and its tributary closures are listed on page 48. See page 50 for Ohio River paddlefish closures. All other waters and fish species have no closed season. Walleye Size Limits Walleye and hybrid walleye taken from all waters in Indiana must be 14 inches in length or longer, except on the Ohio River Fork Length where there are no minimum size limits. The St. Joseph River has a special size limit. In cooperation with the State of Michigan, a 15 inch minimum size limit has been established for walleye and hybrid walleye taken from the St. Joseph River (St. Joseph and Elkhart counties). Measure Shovelnose Sturgeon from nose to fork in tail fin. Possession Limit The possession limit on all sport fish and is two day’s daily bag limit. Special possession and bag limits apply for trout and salmon on Lake Michigan (see page 48). Indiana’s Statewide Size and Bag Limits SPECIES DAILY BAG LIMIT MINIMUM SIZE bluegill3 None3 None redear sunfish3 253 None black bass (in lakes)2 14 inches (exceptions on page 49) 5 singly or in aggregate1 black bass (in rivers)2 12 inches (exceptions on page 49) black bass (in Lake Michigan)2 3 singly or in aggregate1 14 inches yellow bass None None white bass, hybrid striped bass 12 singly or in aggregate1, no more than two fish may exceed 17 inches None striped bass 2 None rock bass 25 None crappie3 253 None walleye, walleye-sauger hybrid, 14 inches (exceptions on page 44) 6 singly or in aggregate1 sauger None muskellunge and tiger muskellunge 1 singly 36 inches northern pike 3 20 inches None (15 on Lake Michigan only) None catfish: channel, blue, flathead (in streams) None 10 inches catfish: channel, blue, flathead (in lakes and reservoirs) 10 None bullhead catfish None None shovelnose sturgeon None 25 inches Fork Length 1 Singly or in aggregate means that the daily bag limit includes any combination of the species. 3 Daily bag limit for sunfish at J.C. Murphey Lake (Newton Co.) is 25 singly or in aggregate. 2 Black bass includes largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. DNRecreation Online dnr.IN.gov CAMP.IN.gov wildlife.IN.gov indianaINNS.com 45 General Fishing Regulations cont. Tagged and Marked Fish Sorting Fish Anyone interested in marking or tagging fish in public water Anglers are responsible for maintaining fish in a healthy must get approval from the Division of Fish and Wildlife before condition if they wish to return that fish to the water. Dead and marking or tagging begins. An application, available from the dying fish already kept cannot be released back into the water. Division of Fish and Wildlife, must be processed 21 days before However, sorting of fish may be allowed within the bag limit if the scheduled start date. An approved permit must be carried fish are in a healthy condition at the time of release. Fish must be by the permit holder when fish are being marked and tagged. released into the water from which they were taken and be able Contact the division for more details, (317) 232-4080. to swim away normally. At no time may anglers have more than biologists attach external tags or mark fish using a bag limit of fish in their possession while engaged in a day’s finclips for research projects. Please report all tags to a district fishing. All fish in possession must meet legal size limits. For fisheries biologist. At some waters, voluntary tag return boxes example, if you catch five largemouth bass (daily bag limit is have been installed. If you cannot locate one of these tag return five) and later that day catch a larger largemouth bass, it is legal boxes, mail the tag to the nearest fisheries biologist. See page to release any of the other fish in good condition in order to keep 64. Provide the biologist with the type of fish caught, the length, the larger one. date, location, weight of fish and the tag number. If a tagged fish is released, the tag should be reported but left in the fish in good and condition. The following waters have active tagged fish projects and crayfish may be collected at any time under way: Lake Michigan (trout and salmon). throughout the year, if you possess a valid sport fishing license. Some fish, such as paddlefish on the Ohio River and trout and You must have a bait dealer’s license to sell minnows or possess salmon on Lake Michigan and its tributaries, have internal tags more than 500 minnows. You cannot transport more than 100 about the size of a hyphen (micro tag) on this page. The adipose crayfish across the state boundary in a 24-hour period unless you fin on trout and salmon has been removed to make it easier to are commercially raising crayfish. You may use artificial lighting determine if the fish you catch has an internal tag. to take crayfish. Your cooperation is needed to recover these tags from trout If you plan to catch your own minnows or crayfish, the and salmon missing an adipose fin. The adipose fin is the small following restrictions apply. See page 50 for special regulations fleshy fin on the backs of some fish between the dorsal fin and for collecting minnows and crayfish on the Ohio River. the tail (caudal fin). If you catch trout or salmon with a missing • seines cannot be larger than 12 feet in length and four adipose fin, please record the length, weight and species, feet deep with mesh no larger than 1/2 inch stretch. • Minnow dip nets cannot exceed three feet square, without coded wire tag in head missing adipose fin sides or walls, and may not have a mesh larger than 1/2 inch stretch. • Minnow traps cannot exceed 24 inches in length, with the opening of the trap no larger than one inch in diameter. • Cast nets may be used, provided the net is no larger than 10 feet in diameter and the mesh stretch is no larger than 3/4 inch. You may use wild fish as live bait as long as the fish was caught legally and meets any size, catch, or possession limits trout and salmon research (internal tag) established for that species. Goldfish may be used as live bait. as well as the date and location where the fish was caught. The Carp and gizzard shad cannot be used as live bait, except at nose area of trout and salmon with a missing adipose fin contains Brookville Lake where live shad may be used. a micro wire containing important research information. All minnows purchased from bait shops or taken from Please save the head from your tagged trout and salmon, then public waters cannot be of any species considered threatened contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife at (219) 874-6824 for or endangered. Minnows should not be released into the water instructions on what to do with the head. The micro wire tags after you finish fishing. Emptying bait buckets can contaminate can be recovered and reused. Remember, only trout and salmon a body of water with undesirable fish. Fishing worms should be with a missing adipose fin contain micro tags. discarded in trash containers.

Illegal Devices It is illegal to use the following devices to take fish from 1-800-TIP-IDNR public waters: a weir, electric current, dynamite or other Turn in a Poacher – Turn in a Polluter explosive, a firearm, a crossbow, hands alone, or any substance that may weaken or poison fish. Cast nets cannot be used to Turn in a Poacher (TIP) is a joint effort between Hoosier catch sport fish. outdoor enthusiasts and the DNR to help eliminate the illegal taking of Indiana’s fish and wildlife and the polluting of Lead Sinkers Indiana’s environment. You may want to consider using fishing sinkers that do not TIP offers substantial rewards for information leading to the contain lead if you are concerned about your exposure to lead. arrest of wildlife law violators. Citizens may report violators by Alternatives to lead sinkers are made out of steel, bismuth, calling the toll-free TIP number. Callers are not required to give tungsten and resin. Wildlife health may be affected if lead or their names or testify in court. The reward fund is supported by zinc sinkers are ingested. contributions and administered by a citizen advisory board. 46 DNRecreation & Fishing Guide General Fishing Regulations cont.

Endangered Fish Trot Lines The following fish species are classified as endangered A trot line (also called a set line or throw line) is a in Indiana: with smaller lines attached to it extending out into the water • bantam sunfish • lake sturgeon from a fixed point, such as a boat dock or tree. You may fish • cavefishes • northern brook lamprey with no more than one trot line at any one time. The trot line • channel darter • pallid shiner must have no more than 50 single or multi-barbed hooks. Each • gilt darter • redside dace drop line on a trot line may have only one hook. Trot lines must • greater redhorse • variegate darter bear a readable tag clearly showing the name and address of the It is illegal to take or possess these fish at any time. Most of user, and be checked at least once every 24 hours. It is illegal these species are small and would not be caught while . to use a trot line in Lake Michigan or within 300 yards of any However, these species could be encountered during bait fish partial or full dam structure on any stream, river, ditch, canal or collection. If captured, immediately return them unharmed reservoir. to the water in which they were found. A listing of Indiana’s endangered species is available at www.wildlife.IN.gov. When ice fishing, no more than three lines may be used at any Illegal Fish Stockings and Aquarium Releases one time. Each line may contain no more than two hooks (single, No individual may take any live fish (native or nonnative) and double or treble) or two artificial baits. Holes cut for ice fishing release it into any other public waters without a stocking permit. cannot be more than 12 inches in diameter. Tip-ups must be Fisheries biologists in the DNR approve stocking of fish only identified with the name and address of the user, and must be in after careful consideration of the potential impacts of the new constant visual contact by the person using them. fish on existing habitat and fish population. Ice fishing shelters must have the owner’s name and address in Hand or Pole Fishing and Hooks three-inch block letters on the outside of the door. An unattended You may fish with no more than three poles or hand lines at any portable ice fishing shelter must have the owner’s name and one time. Each line may have no more than two single or multi- address in three-inch block letters on an exterior wall. Any barbed hooks, two artificial baits or two harnesses for live bait. ice fishing shelter or portable shelter left unattended, between Single or multi-barbed hooks may be used for hand or pole sunrise and sunset, must have at least one red reflector or a three- lines, float or jug fishing, limb, drop or trot lines. Special inch by three-inch reflective strip on each side of the structure. hook size and barb regulations apply to Lake Michigan and its Ice shanties and portable shelters must be removed from tributaries. Refer to page 48 for hook information for these waters. public waters before ice-out. If used before January 1 and after Feb. 15, all structures must be removed daily. Gaffs, Grab Hooks and Landing Nets Landing nets, gaff hooks or grab hooks may be used only to Float Fishing assist in the landing of a legally caught fish. They may not be Float or jug fishing is the use of any buoyed container (made used as the method of catching fish. of any material other than glass) that suspends a single fishing line and a single or multi-barbed hook. Limb Lines As many as five floats may be used, but only one hook may be A limb line (or drop line) involves suspending a fishing line attached to each float line. Each float must be marked with the from a limb extending beyond the bank of a body of water. You user’s name and address, and all lines must be in constant visual may fish with no more than 10 limb or drop lines at any one contact. time. Each line may have no more than one single or multi- Float fishing is not allowed on lakes and reservoirs for public barbed hook attached to it. Each line must have a readable tag safety. showing the name and address of the user. All lines must be checked at least once every 24 hours. It is illegal to use a limb or drop line within 300 yards of any partial or full dam structure on Smelt Fishing any stream, river, ditch, canal or reservoir. Smelt may be taken from Lake Michigan and Oliver Lake in LaGrange County from March 1 through May 30. Smelt may be Snares taken only with a single seine or net. The seine or net may not You may use no more than one snare to take suckers, carp, exceed 12 feet in length and six feet in depth nor have a stretch 1 and bowfin. Snaring these fish may be done only between mesh larger than 1 /2 inches. A dip net may not exceed 12 feet in sunrise and sunset. diameter.

Snagging Wanton Waste of Fish Except for the Ohio River (see page 50), it is illegal to snag The intentional waste and destruction of fish is prohibited fish from public waters in Indiana. is the practice unless the fish is required by law to be killed. Fish must not be of dragging or jerking a hook (or hooks), baited or unbaited, mutilated and returned to the water unless the fish is lawfully through the water with the intention of snagging fish on contact. used as bait. Fish parts, including entrails, must not be discarded Warning: it is illegal to take a paddlefish from any lake or into any state waters, but should be disposed of in a sanitary stream in Indiana except the Ohio River. Paddlefish caught manner that does not pollute the water or become detrimental to from any public inland lake or stream must be immediately public health or comfort. returned to the water. DNRecreation Online dnr.IN.gov CAMP.IN.gov wildlife.IN.gov indianaINNS.com 47 General Fishing Regulations cont.

Spear Fishing Sale of Aquatic Life Suckers, carp, gar, bowfin, buffalo and shad may be taken at No fish, frogs, turtles or other reptile or amphibian taken under the locations below with the equipment listed, and only during a fishing or hunting license may be bought, sold or bartered. You the hours noted. There are no bag limits for these fish. See page may keep fish that you catch for an aquarium if that fish meets 48 for restrictions on Lake Michigan tributaries. legal size and bag limit requirements. If you give your catch away, it’s a good idea to provide that person a note identifying Large Streams the fish you gave them. This avoids confusion with exceeding (1,500 cfs minimum flow) the daily bag limit or possessing fish without a fishing license. • White River from the Wabash River upstream to the junction of East and West Forks Reptiles and Amphibians • West Fork of White River, upstream to the dam below All reptiles and amphibians native to Indiana are protected by Harding Street in Indianapolis law. Box turtles cannot be collected from the wild at any time. Species of frogs, lizards, salamanders, , toads or turtles • East Fork of White River, upstream to the dam at the south on the state or federal endangered species list may also not be edge of Columbus collected from the wild at any time. Species specified as game • The Wabash River, upstream to SR 13 at the town of (see table below) may be collected from the wild with Wabash a hunting or fishing license. License holders must obey season dates, bag limits and use legal trapping methods. An individual • The Tippecanoe River, upstream to 1/2 mile below its with a valid hunting or fishing license may take game confluence with Big Creek and turtle species from fish and wildlife areas where hunting • The Maumee River, upstream to the Anthony Blvd. Bridge or fishing is authorized. Non-game reptiles and amphibians in Ft. Wayne may not be taken from any DNR property without a scientific purposes license. For a list of Indiana’s native species go to: • The Kankakee River, upstream to SR 55 bridge www.dnr.IN.gov/fishwild/endangered/regs.htm. The possession limit for non-endangered, non-game species • The St. Joseph River (upstream from Twin Branch dam) in is four, with the exception of the eastern box turtle. Collected St. Joseph and Elkhart counties species may not be sold. Indiana residents over the age of 17 Equipment: Fish spear, gig, spear gun, bow and arrow, under- must have a valid hunting or fishing license in possession water spear can be used all year, day or night. while collecting species of reptiles and amphibians from the Crossbows may not be used. wild. All non-resident adults and most non-resident youth must possess a non-resident annual hunting license. Legally collected Small Streams amphibians or reptiles kept in captivity less than 30 days may (less than 1,500 cfs flow) be released only at their original capture site if they have never Any and all streams or partial streams not listed above. been housed with another . Equipment: bow and arrow only. Crossbows may not be used. Time: All year, sunrise to sunset. Seasons, Daily and Possession Limits Species Season Daily Bag Possession Non-flowing Waters Limit Limit (including lakes, ponds and reservoirs) Game turtles: common snapping year-round 25* 50* turtle, smooth softshell and spiny Equipment: Fish spear, gig, spear gun, underwater spear, and softshell turtles bow and arrow. Crossbows may not be used. Restrictions: Turtle traps may be used, but these devices may not have an Time: All year, day or night. opening below the surface of the water.

Game frogs: bull frog June 15-April 30 25* 50* Mussels and green frog It is illegal to collect or take live or dead mussel shells from Restrictions: Frogs may be taken with gig or spear with a head not more public waters. A ban on harvesting shells has been in effect since than three inches in width and a single row of tines, long bow and arrow, 1991 to protect against a rapid decrease in the abundance and club, hands alone or pole or hand line with not more than one hook or artifical lure attached. Firearms used for frog hunting are restricted to a distribution of mussels. Please do not disturb living mussels or .22-caliber firearm loaded with shot only. take dead shells. *Singly or in aggregate, which means the catch limit includes any combination of the species. New Panfish Regulations for J.C. Murphey Lake To help develop the best fishing possible, a 25-fish panfish bag limit has been established at J.C. Murphey Lake (bluegill, redear and crappie, singly or in aggregate) and an 18-inch minimum size limit and two-fish daily bag limit for largemouth bass. These regulations are intended to maintain quality fishing far into the future. Keep your eye on this lake to make the “hot E-news about Indiana spots to fish” list in the next couple of years. natural resources and recreation www.wildlife.IN.gov 48 DNRecreation & Fishing Guide Inland Trout Sizes & Limits Lake Michigan & Tributaries Sizes & Limits

Lakes: There is no closed season for taking trout from inland • You cannot possess more than 5 trout or salmon (no more lakes except from March 15 to April 1, 2007 for: than 2 may be lake trout) or more than 15 yellow perch • Island Lake on Minnehaha FWA, Sullivan County while fishing on Indiana’s portion of Lake Michigan— even • Little George Lake on Chinook FWA, Clay County if you have a fishing license from a neighboring state. Streams: Catch and release applies to all streams, except Lake • You can take sucker, carp, gar, bowfin, buffalo and shad Michigan tributaries, from January 1 through April 14. from Lake Michigan with a bow and arrow. The opening day of trout season for inland streams, other than • You cannot use a trot line (power line), set line or throw line Lake Michigan tributaries, is the last Saturday in April, 6 AM, to take fish from Lake Michigan. local time. • Fishing is not allowed within 100 feet above or below the Stream closure from April 15 to the opening day of trout Praxair Dam on the East Branch of the Little Calumet River. season (last Saturday in April) applies to the following waters: • See page 49 for Lake Michigan bass regulations. • Pigeon River and Pigeon Creek in Lagrange County from the Steuben County line to CR 410E (Troxel’s Bridge). This does Species Daily Bag Limit Minimum Size not include the impoundment known as Mongo Mill Pond. chinook, coho, 5 total salmon & trout 14 inches • Harding Run, Curtis Creek, Bloody Run and Graveyard Run Atlantic & pink salmon No more than 2 Lake Michigan, (tributaries of the Pigeon river) in LaGrange County. brown, steelhead may be lake trout streams, and & lake trout St. Joseph River • Turkey Creek north of CR 100 S in LaGrange County • Rainbow Pit located on Pigeon River FWA, approximately one yellow perch 15 None mile east of Ontario in LaGrange County. on Lake Michigan only • Little Elkhart River and Rowe-Eden Ditch in Lagrange County Tributary Restrictions • Solomon Creek and Cobus Creek in Elkhart County You may not possess a fish spear, gig, gaff, bowfishing • Little Kankakee River in LaPorte County from CR 800E equipment, crossbow, grab hook, spear gun, club, snag hook or upstream to Division Rd. underwater spear in, or adjacent to the Galena River (LaPorte • Spy Run within Franke Park in Allen County Co.), Trail Creek (LaPorte Co.), the East Branch of the Little • Mississinewa River within the boundaries of the Randolph Calumet River (LaPorte and Porter counties), Salt Creek County Wildlife Management Area (Porter Co.), the West Branch of the Little Calumet River (Lake • Big Blue River within the boundaries of Wilbur Wright FWA in and Porter counties), Burns Ditch (Lake and Porter counties), Henry County Deep River downstream from the dam at Camp 133 (Lake Co.) • Jackson Creek upstream of Yellowwood Lake in Brown County or the tributaries to these waterways. Only artificial lures and artificial flies can be used on the Tributary Closings following catch and release waters in Elkhart County: While there is no closed season for taking trout and salmon • Little Elkhart River from CR 43 downstream to CR 16, except from Lake Michigan, certain tributary streams are closed to all for waters along Riverbend Park from CR 16 upstream to the fishing from April 1 through June 15. These streams are stocked pedestrian footbridge. annually with trout and salmon. The closed fishing period allows • Solomon Creek from CR 33 downstream to the Elkhart River these small, vulnerable fish to migrate safely downstream to • Cobus Creek from Old U.S. 20 downstream to the Lake Michigan. The closed season applies to: St. Joseph River • The East Branch of Little Calumet River in Porter County Species Daily Bag Limit Minimum Size from US 12 upstream to US 20. 5 singly or in aggregate brook trout 7 inches • Trail Creek in LaPorte County from the Franklin Street rainbow trout 7 inches Bridge in Michigan City upstream to US 35. lake trout No more than 3 may be lake trout. 7 inches St. Joseph River brown trout No more than 1 may be brown trout. 7 inches* *18” minimum size limit at Oliver, Olin and Martin lakes in LaGrange Co., Special regulations apply to fishing the St. Joseph River and Brookville Lake tailwater in Franklin Co. and its tributaries from Twin Branch Dam in Mishawaka, downstream to the Michigan state line. These include: Hook Restrictions • Minimum size for trout and salmon is 14 inches. In the waters including Lake Michigan tributaries, the St. Joseph River and its tributary streams from the Twin Branch Dam downstream to the • No fishing is allowed at any time in the East Race Waterway Michigan state line (St. Joseph County), you may not fish with more than in South Bend. No fishing is allowed within 100 feet of the one single hook per line or one artificial bait or harness for use with live entrance and exit of the East Race. bait. • No fishing is allowed at any time from the fish ladders Single hooks, including those on artificial baits, cannot exceed 1/2 inch located on the South Bend or Mishawaka Central Park Dams. from point to shank. Double and treble hooks are only allowed on artificial • No fishing is allowed within 100 feet of the entrances and baits and shall not exceed 3/8 inch from point to shank. exits of the fish ladders. • No fishing is allowed by boat or other watercraft in the St. Single hook Double or Joseph River below the South Bend Dam for a distance 1/2 inch or less from treble hook of 200 feet, and from the Mishawaka Central Park Dam point to shank 3/8 inch or less from downstream to the Main Street bridge, Mishawaka. point to shank • Any fish taken from the Lake Michigan tributaries defined in this section must be hooked in the mouth. Foul-hooked fish must be returned to the water. DNRecreation Online dnr.IN.gov CAMP.IN.gov wildlife.IN.gov indianaINNS.com 49 Fishing Reports Statewide Black Bass Regulations Lake Michigan (219) 874-0009 (black bass includes largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass) Updated weekly March through December. Type of Water Daily Bag Limit Minimum Size

St. Joseph River (574) 257-TIPS Lakes 5 singly or 14 inches Updated weekly mid-February through April and mid-June Rivers/Streams in aggregate* 12 inches to mid-December. Lake Michigan 3 singly or 14 inches in aggregate Web site: www.wildlife.IN.gov *Certain waters have special bag limits and minimum size limits that apply to largemouth bass. See information on this page for these specific regulations. Special Largemouth Bass Lake Regulations Special largemouth bass regulations are in effect for many No minimum size limit waters Indiana waters. The expected benefits of size limits are an No size limits for largemouth bass are in effect for: increase in the number of bass caught (although many must • Brownstown State Fishing Area (Jackson County) be released); an increase in size of bass; and in some cases, • Burdette Park lakes (Vanderburgh County) improvement in bluegill size and increased on • Chandler Town Lake (Warrick County) abundant prey like gizzard shad. • Cypress Lake State Fishing Area (Jackson County) Regulations on bass fishing differ for the Ohio River. See • Deming Park lakes (Vigo County) Sport Fishing on the Ohio River (page 50) for information. • Garvin Park Lake (Vanderburgh County) • Glen Miller Pond (Wayne County) Lake Limits: • Hayswood Lake (Harrison County) 15 inch minimum size limit • Henry County Memorial Park Lake (Henry County) • Hovey Lake at Hovey Lake FWA (Posey County) • Patoka Lake (Orange, Dubois and Crawford counties) • Krannert Lake (Marion County) • Dogwood Lake (Daviess County) • Lake Sullivan (Marion County) 16 inch minimum size limit • Ruster Lake (Marion County) • Cecil M. Harden Lake (Parke County) • Schnebelt Pond (Dearborn County) 18 inch minimum size limits Special Stream Black Bass Regulations There is a daily bag limit of two bass for these waters: • Ball Lake (Steuben County) 20 inch minimum size limit and one fish daily bag limit • Blue Grass, Loon Lake (Warrick County) • Sugar Creek (Montgomery, Parke, Boone, Clinton, and • Gibson Lake (Gibson County) Tipton counties) • J.C. Murphey Lake (Newton County) 12-15 inch slot limit with no more than two black bass • Robinson Lake (Whitley and Kosciusko counties) • Tri-County Fish and Wildlife Area-all lakes larger than 15 inch • Blue River (Crawford, Harrison, and Washington counties) 20 inch minimum size limit and one fish daily bag limit • Turtle Creek Reservoir (Sullivan County) AND RE TCH LEA A SE 12 to 15 inch slot size limits C No largemouth bass between 12 and 15 inches in length may be taken from the following: • Buffalo Trace Lake (Harrison County) • Celina Lake (Perry County) • Ferdinand State Forest Lake (Dubois County) • Indian Lake (Perry County) • Always wet your hands before touching the fish. • Montgomery City Park Lake (Daviess County) • Handle the fish gently and quickly. Keep it in the water as much • Saddle Lake (Perry County) as possible. Do not put your fingers in the gill slits or in the eye • Scales Lake (Warrick County) sockets. Do not squeeze the fish or cause the loss of scales. • Shakamak State Park (Clay, Greene and Sullivan counties) • Remove the hook carefully. If the hook cannot be removed easily, cut the line or leader and leave the hook in the fish. Eventually, the • Tipsaw Lake (Perry County) hook will dissolve. Artificial lures are recommended because they usually hook the fish in the lip area, the easiest place to remove the hook. • Gently hold the fish in the water and move it back and forth until it begins to swim away. • Remember to land and release your fish as quickly as possible. • Never release live bait into a fishing area. Never move fish from one water to another. Stocking fish requires a permit. The release of an undesirable or exotic species can contaminate a body of water. 50 DNRecreation & Fishing Guide Sport Fishing on the Ohio River

These regulations are the result of a cooperative effort by r e Indiana and five other Ohio River states. In many cases, these iv R rules differ significantly from other laws and regulations in

Markland Indiana. These rules and regulations apply only to the main sh a er Dam b iv stem of the Ohio River and do not include any tributaries or a R

W embayments, where general Indiana fishing regulations apply.

A person holding an Indiana fishing license (resident or non- McAlpine Ohio resident), or who is exempt from having a license in Indiana, Dam Cannelton may fish from either bank of the Ohio River, or any part of the Newburgh Dam main stem of the Ohio River by boat. The interstate reciprocal J.T. Myers Dam license agreement with does not apply to tributaries Dam of the Ohio River in either state. To fish the tributaries you must (Uniontown Dam) obtain a license from that state. While fishing for sport fish, you may use poles or hand lines, Where to Fish on the Ohio River float fishing methods, set lines with one single or multi-barbed Much of the best fishing on the Ohio River is concentrated hook, or up to two trot lines with no more than 50 single or near dams. Access fees may be charged at some sites. multi-barbed hooks per line. These lines must be spaced at least • J.T. Myers Dam (Uniontown Dam) 15 miles southwest of 18 inches apart. Trot lines must be checked at least once every Mt. Vernon in Posey Co. Accessible at Hovey Lake FWA. 24 hours. • Newburgh Dam — in the town of Newburgh off of SR 66. • Cannelton Dam — follow Taylor Street south from SR 66 Ohio River sport fish include: in Cannelton. • largemouth bass • yellow bass • trout • McAlpine Dam — located at Clarksville. Access at Falls • smallmouth bass • • tiger muskellunge of the Ohio State Park. Accessible boat ramp located at • spotted bass • • northern pike George Rogers Clark Homesite in Clarksville. Access at • hybrid striped bass • sauger • muskellunge New Albany off of Water Street in Jaycee Riverfront Park. • rock bass • walleye • chain pickerel • Markland Dam — near Markland in Switzerland County. • striped bass • saugeye Accessible at DamVue River Camp or Vevay boat ramp. Paddlefish Minnows and Crayfish Paddlefish may only be taken from the Ohio River from Feb. You may take minnows or crayfish from the Ohio River by the 1 to May 10. Any paddlefish caught from public lakes, streams following methods: or other rivers in Indiana must be returned. You may not sort or • A minnow trap not to exceed three feet long and 18 inches release any lawfully snagged paddlefish. After two paddlefish in diameter nor having a throat opening greater than one are taken, no more snagging is allowed. Snagging is prohibited inch in diameter. within 200 yards of a dam on the Ohio River. • A dip net no more than three feet in diameter. • A minnow seine no more than 30 feet long and six feet deep Other Fish nor having mesh size larger than 1/4 inch bar mesh. All other fish, except those classified as threatened or • A not to exceed nine feet in diameter nor having endangered, may be taken with the same sport fishing methods mesh size larger than 3/8 inch bar mesh. described above as well as with the following methods: • Long or compound bow with an arrow having one or more barbs and an attached line. Catfish and paddlefish cannot be taken with bow and arrow during nighttime hours (1/2 hour Daily, Possession and Size Limits after sunset until 1/2 hour before sunrise.) Crossbows are illegal. Species Bag Limit Possession Limit Minimum Size • Gigging from Feb. 1 to May 10 with any pronged or barbed largemouth bass 6* 12* 12 inches instrument attached to the end of a rigid object. You cannot smallmouth bass spotted bass No size limit on spotted bass take a fish by gigging from either a boat or platform. • Snagging on the Ohio River for non-sport fish is allowed white bass 30* 60* No more than four from Feb. 1 to May 10 using one single or treble hook. yellow bass fish may be striped bass 15 inches or longer Snagging is not allowed from a boat or platform or along a h ybrid striped bass bay or tributary to the Ohio River. rock bass 15 30 None crappie 30 60 None muskellunge 2* 2* 30 inches Free Fishing Weekend tiger muskellunge June 9-10, 2007 walleye 10* 20* None sauger No license required for Indiana residents. hybrid walleye (saugeye) * Singly or in aggregate, which means the catch limit includes any combination of the species. For instance, your daily bag could include 30 white bass or 30 hybrid striped bass or any combination of the two species equalling no more than 30. DNRecreation Online dnr.IN.gov CAMP.IN.gov wildlife.IN.gov indianaINNS.com 51 Fish Consumption Advisory Group General Advisory At Risk population* 1 Unlimited consumption 1 meal per week Indiana’s fish consumption advisory is similar to the health 2 1 meal per week 1 meal per month advice you hear or read about every day regarding diet, exercise or safety. How you use this information to protect your health and 3 1 meal per month Do not eat enjoy life is a matter of choice. The purpose of this advisory is to 4 1 meal every 2 months Do not eat make sure you have the proper information to make those choices. 5 Do not eat Do not eat Fish provide a diet high in protein and low in saturated fat *Women of childbearing years, nursing mothers, and children under age 15. when properly prepared. Additionally, many doctors suggest General Guidlines To Reduce Your Risk that eating fish each week is helpful in preventing heart disease. • Assume that any fish you catch is a group 2 if it is not listed or the A 2002 survey conducted for the Indiana State Department of site where you are fishing is not listed in the advisory. Health (ISDH) showed that nearly 44% of Indiana residents eat • Eat smaller, less fatty fish like pan fish (bluegill, perch & crappie). little, if any, fish. For this reason, the most important message • Remove fat near the skin of the fish prior to cooking and broil, the ISDH wants to share is “include fish as a part of your bake, or grill fish so the fat drips away. regular diet”. The key to gaining the most health benefits from • Unless noted otherwise, consider all carp from rivers and streams fish is to eat a variety of fish that are low in contaminants. to fall under the following risk groups. One common misunderstanding about the advisory is the Group 3 - 15-20 in. • Group 4 - 20-25 in. • Group 5 - over 25 in. difference between no consumption and restricted consumption of fish. The advisory is not a ban on eating fish from lakes and Some Major Fishing Waters Where All Fish Are streams as some people believe. The fish consumption advisory Group 1 or 2 Except As Indicated ( ) will help you make the right choice about how much fish to eat • Brookville Reservoir (Franklin/Union Co.) except for and what type of fish to eat. If you follow the advisory, you will largemouth bass 15+ in. (3) minimize the risk from eating fish and maximize your health • Dogwood Lake (Daviess Co.) benefits by using fish as a valuable source of protein. • Eagle Creek Reservoir (Marion Co.) You should use the advisory to make informed decisions • Flint Lake (Porter Co.) about where to fish, which fish to eat and how much to eat. The • Harden Reservoir (Parke Co.) advisory should not discourage you from going fishing or eating • Lake James (Steuben Co.) except northern pike 20+ in. (3&4) the fish you catch. The advisory is a source of information that • Lake Lemon (Monroe Co.) except 20+ in. (3) allows you to enjoy your fishing trip and protect your health at • Lake Wawasee (Kosciusko Co.) except bullhead 15+ in. (3) • Lake of the Woods (LaGrange Co.) except carp 22+ in. (3) the same time. • Monroe Reservoir (Brown/Monroe Co.) A statewide fish tissue monitoring program provides data • Morse Reservoir (Hamilton Co.) for Indiana’s fish consumption advisory. New tissue data are • Patoka Reservoir (Dubois/Orange Co.) except carp 23+ in. (3) collected every year from new areas or sites previously sampled • Salamonie Reservoir (Wabash Co.) except carp 23+ in. (3) to keep health information updated. This long-term commitment • Starve Hollow Lake (Jackson Co.) to human health protection also serves as a constant monitor for • Turtle Creek Reservoir (Sullivan Co.) except carp 26+ in. (3) changes in the environment. • Worster Lake (St Joe Co.) except 16+ in. (3) The Indiana Fish Consumption Advisory is issued by the ISDH. Always consult the complete advisory for specific No Consumption Waters information on the body of water where you plan to fish, which • Elliot Ditch, Tippecanoe County may be viewed at the ISDH web site: www.IN.gov/isdh. • Grand Calumet River/Indiana Harbor Canal, Lake County • Little Mississinewa River, Randolph County For a more information on the fish consumption advisory or if • Little Sugar Creek/Walnut Fork, Montgomery County you have questions concerning the advisory contact: • Pleasant Run Creek, Lawrence County Indiana State Department of Health • Wea Creek, Tippecanoe County Environmental Epidemiology Section • Kokomo Creek, Howard County - from U.S. 31 to Wildcat Creek 2525 Shadeland Ave, Suite E • Wildcat Creek, Howard and Carroll counties - downstream from Indianapolis, IN 46219 the Waterworks Dam in Kokomo to the Wabash River (317) 351-7190 • Clear Creek, Monroe County • Salt Creek downstream of Clear Creek in Lawrence & Monroe Co. Assessing Your Risk • Stoney Creek, Hamilton County Guidelines for developing the fish consumption advice in the • Sugar Creek, Montgomery County - from I-74 to SR 32 Indiana Fish Consumption Advisory are based on a culmination of Commercial Fish Consumption For epidemiological, toxicological and exposure risk studies and evaluated by the Great Lakes Sport Fish Advisory Task force. The most common At Risk Population* and Adults outcomes from not following this advice are an increased “risk” of Species Advisory getting cancer and/or an increased “risk” of developmental problems Fresh or canned salmon; shellfish like shrimp, crab, Unlimited for all adults in unborn or young children. The most “at risk” people are women of and oysters; ; herring; canned “light” tuna; One meal per week* childbearing age, nursing mothers, and children under 15. Some new scallops; sardines; pollock; cod; and catfish information indicates there may be some additional “risks” of heart Canned albacore “white” tuna (6 oz.), tuna steak, One meal per week problems to adults who are exposed to large amounts of mercury in halibut, and lobster for adults their diet. Again, for most people (adult males and non-childbearing One meal per month* age women) these risks are minimal. To date, no known cancer or developmental cases can be linked to the consumption of contaminated Shark, swordfish, tile fish, king mackerel One meal per month for adult males and females fish in Indiana. Do not eat* The ISDH uses a five grouping advisory classification system to Contact the ISDH for more detailed information on the commercial fish determine your level of risk from consuming fish. consumption advisory. 52 DNRecreation & Fishing Guide AQUATIC (AIS)

Hydrilla – A Threat to our Waters (Exotic) Elodea (native) A new AIS plant has invaded Indiana. Hydrilla was found in Lake Manitou in Fulton County in 2006. Hydrilla is an aggressive invader that can quickly grow to the surface crowding out native plants. This causes reduced property values, and negatively impacts recreational opportunities like boating and angling. Once established, hydrilla is very expensive to eradicate. Hydrilla looks very similar to a native plant, elodea. Please look for hydrilla in local lakes, ponds, and streams. If you find something similar to the picture to the left, please compare your plant’s features to the drawings to rule out native elodea. If you feel you have found hydrilla, please contact a district fisheries biologist to arrange for positive identification of the plant. Hydrilla is illegal to possess in the state. DNR has imposed use restrictions at Lake Manitou to keep hydrilla from being spread to other waters via recreational equipment. Water users should take it upon themselves to prevent the spread of all AIS. Remove plant material and drain all water from watercraft immediately after - 4 or 5 leaves at nodes - 3 leaves at nodes removal from the water. - Leaves have visible teeth - Leaf edges appear smooth Species Illegal to Possess Illegal Fish Stockings It is illegal to possess the following fish and mussels alive No individual may take any live fish (wild or aquarium without holding a special permit. If any of these are caught, fish) and release it into any other public water without a fish they must be killed immediately and not returned to the water. stocking permit. Fisheries biologists in the DNR approve Your cooperation is essential. fish stockings only after careful consideration of the potential * Asiatic clam * Snakeheads of the family Channidae impacts of the * Bighead carp * Quagga mussel new fish on * Black carp * Tubenose goby existing sport * Round goby * Walking catfish of the family Clariidae fishing activities * Rudd * White perch (not ) and endangered * Ruffe * Zebra mussel species. * Silver carp

STATE RECORD FISH (weight required)

2007Please print clearly. Photocopies Record of entry form are accepted. A goodFish quality photo must be Entrysubmitted with entry. FISH OF THE YEAR (no weight required) INFORMATION ON THE FISH INFORMATION ON ANGLER WHERE, WHEN, HOW State Record Fish Name of angler______Date caught______Species of fish______Address______Name of lake, pond or stream______Weight (lbs., oz.)______City______County where caught______Length______Girth______State ______Zip______Type of tackle used______Fish of the Year Species of fish______Phone______Lure or bait used______

Length______Girth______Email______

MEASUREMENT LOCATION WITNESS 1 WITNESS 2 Where measurement was taken______First witness signature______Second witness signature______Address______Address______Address______City______City______City______State______Zip______State______Zip______State______Zip______Phone______Phone______Phone______Mail entry and photo to: Record Fish Program, Division of Fish and Wildlife, 402 W. Washington St., Room W273, Indianapolis, IN 46204 DNR Indiana Record Fish Programs & Indiana State Fish Records 53 The Division of Fish and Wildlife sponsors two award program recognizing outstanding catches by sport anglers. The Indiana Record Fish Program recognizes new State Record catches. The Fish-of-the-Year program recognizes anglers who catch the largest fish of each species that is smaller than the current State Record. Weight is the measurement used for State Record Fish. Total length is used for Fish-of-the-Year fish. Both programs have the same fish divisions and use the same entry form for submitting information. Winners receive a certificate and a colorful jacket patch. Entry forms and pictures will not be returned to the angler. General rules for submitting an entry: • Fish must be taken legally by hook and line from Indiana • A good quality side view photograph of the fish must accompany waters. Fish taken from the main stem of the Ohio River each entry. must be photographed from the side between Kentucky and Indiana, or from the Wabash River against a light background. For State Record Fish entries, between and Indiana will be considered for Indiana’s applicants may wish to consider hiring a photographer. Record Fish Program provided the angler possessed an • Anyone can enter and multiple entries are accepted. Fish must be Indiana fishing license at the time of the catch. caught in public or private fishing waters where there is no fee for • A photocopy of the angler’s license must accompany an entry the fish taken. if a license was required to catch fish from that body of water. • Complete an entry form on page 52 and mail it in with the • Fish taken from water on artificial feeding programs are not following: (1) copy of fishing license, (2) Scale Inspection Report eligible. for all State Record Fish entries only, (3) picture(s). • Entry must be postmarked by December 31 of the calendar year the fish was caught.

Rules for Fish-of-the-Year Entries Species Weight Where Angler Year • Size is determined by a total length Atlantic Salmon 14 lb. 4 oz. Lake Michigan, Lake Co. Gene Tarrant 1979 Bighead Carp 53 lb. 8 oz. White River, Pike Co. measurement or fork length for shovelnose Duane Stafford 2000 Blue Catfish 104 lb. Ohio River Bruce Midkiff 1999 sturgeon (see p. 44). No weight measurement Bluegill 3 lb. 4 oz. Pond, Greene Co. Harold L. Catey 1972 is required for Fish-of-the-Year. Bowfin (Dogfish) 16 lb. Pine Lake, LaPorte Co. Barry Biederstadt 1988 • One witness, that is not a relative, who Brook Trout 3 lb. 15 1/2 oz. Lake Gage, Steuben Co. Sonny Bashore 1973 observed the length and/or weight Brown Trout 29.03 lb. Lake Michigan, Lake Co. Glen Duesing 2006 measurement must sign the entry form. Buffalo 53.9 lb. Oak Hill Pond, Gibson Co. Kenneth Houchin 2002 • It is not necessary to report the location where Bullhead 4.9 lb. Potato Creek SP, St. Joseph Co. Darren Robertson 1994 the length measurement was taken for Fish-of- Burbot 7 lb. 11 oz. Lake Michigan Larry Malicki 1990 the-Year entries. Channel Catfish 37 lb. 8 oz. Lake, Vanderburgh Co. Randy E. Jones 1980 Chinook Salmon 38 lb. Trail Creek, LaPorte Co. • Provide photograph(s) of the fish and copy of Rich Baker 1980 Cisco 3 lb. 12 oz. Big Cedar Lake, Whitley Co. Phillip Wisniewski 1980 fishing license if required. Coho Salmon 20 lb. 12 oz. Lake Michigan, LaPorte Co. John Beutner 1972 Rules for State Record Fish Entries 43 lb. 4 oz. Pike Lake, Kosciusko Co. Russell Long 1989 • Size is determined by weight measurement Crappie 4 lb. 11 oz. Private lake, Jennings Co. Willis Halcomb 1994 first, then length for State Record Fish. Both Flathead Catfish 79 lb. 8 oz. White River, Lawrence Co. Glen T. Simpson 1966 Flier 3 1/2 oz. Stream, Jackson Co. weight and length measurements are required. Harold H. Otte 1983 Freshwater Drum 30 lb. White River, Martin Co. Garland Fellers 1963 The weight measurement must be taken before Goldeye 2.16 lb. Wabash River, Vermillion Co. Brian Crockett 2006 the fish is frozen and on a scale that has been Grass Carp 65.2 lb. Private pond, Morgan Co. David Hughes 2002 certified by the State of Indiana to be accurate Green Sunfish 1 lb. 10 oz. Pit, Fountain Co. Terry Keller 1987 to one ounce. If you can’t find a certified Hybrid Striped Bass 22 lb. 2oz. Tippecanoe River, Carroll Co. David G. Coffman 2005 scale in a grocery, hardware, grain store, or Hybrid Walleye 8 lb. 8 oz. Scottsburg Reservoir, Scott Co. Doug Young 1999 propane distributor, call the Indiana Division Lake Trout 29 lb. 4 oz. Lake Michigan Harold Rodriquez 1993 of Weights and Measures at (317) 356-7078 Largemouth Bass 14 lb. 12 oz. Lake, Harrison Co. Jenifer Schultz 1991 for the nearest location. Longnose Gar 18.42 lb. White River, Pike Co. Vernon Young, Jr. 2004 Muskellunge 42 lb. 8 oz. James Lake, Kosciusko Co. • Obtain a copy of the Scale Inspection Report Darrin Conley 2002 Northern Pike 30 lb. 2 oz. Clear Lake, Steuben Co. Jack Barnes 1992 from the store owner where the fish is weighed Paddlefish 106 lb. 4 oz. Sand Pit, Knox Co. John Kotter 1996 and submit the report with the entry form. Pink Salmon 2 lb. 12 1/2 oz. Lake Michigan, Lake Co. Richard J. Lisac 1985 • Submit a printed meat packaging label Rainbow Trout 18 lb. 8 oz. Clear Lake, Steuben Co. Bill Bigger 1988 showing the weight of the fish, if available. Redear Sunfish 3 lb. 10 oz. Lake, Brown Co. R. Peckman 1974 • After weighing, the fish may be gutted and Rock Bass 3 lb. Sugar Creek, Hancock Co. David Thomas 1969 iced, but do not fillet or otherwise cut it up. Sauger 6 lb. 1 oz. Tippecanoe River, Carroll Co. Mark Bigger 1983 The fish must be available for inspection and Shovelnose Sturgeon 14 lb. 8 oz. Wabash River, Fountain Co. Mike Latoz 1999 identification. Silver Carp 15 lb. 8oz. West Fork White River, Greene Co. Daniel Keller 2003 Smallmouth Bass 7 lb. 4 oz. Twin Lake, LaGrange Co. • State Record Fish entries may require Dana Yoder 1992 Spotted Bass 5 lb. 5 oz. Vigo Co. Larry Hinesley, Jr. 2006 verification by a Division of Fish and Wildlife Steelhead Trout 26.62 lb. Trail Creek, LaPorte Co. Evan Nicholson 1999 fisheries biologist. It is the responsibility of Striped Bass 35.395 lb. Ohio River Tony Campisano 1993 the angler to schedule a time to have your fish Sucker 12 lb. 3.3 oz. White River, Bartholemew Co. John Britton 1991 examined by a State fisheries biologist (p.64). Tiger Muskellunge 24 lb. Wolf Lake, Lake Co. Michael Senics 1995 • Two witnesses, that are not relatives, Tiger Trout 3 lb. Lake Michigan, Lake Co. Mike Ratter 1978 who observed the length and/or weight Walleye 14 lb. 4 oz. Kankakee River, Lake Co. Leon Richart 1974 measurement must sign the entry form. 14 lb. 4 oz. Tippecanoe River, Pulaski Co. Donald Tedford 1977 • Provide the location information on where the 1.4 lb. North Dugger Pit, Sullivan Co. Jack Tolbert 2002 White Bass 4 lb. 3 oz. Lake Freeman, Carroll Co. fish was weighed. James Wagner 1965 White Catfish 9.72 lb. Pond, Wabash Co. Melissa Grimes 1985 • Provide photograph(s) of the fish and copy of Yellow Bass* 2 lb. 15 oz. Morse Reservoir, Hamilton Co. Jim Raymer 2000 fishing license, if required. Yellow Perch 2 lb. 8 oz. Gravel pit, Vigo Co. Roy W. Burkel Jr. 1981 *World Record 54 INDIANA Fish Identification Sunfish Black Bass white bass • single tooth patch on back of bluegill • 5 to 9 vertical bars on sides, largemouth bass • upper jaw extends tongue, first stripe below lateral line not black opercle flat (ear) with no margin, beyond back of eye complete to tail dark spot at rear of dorsal fin smallmouth bass • upper jaw does not striped bass • tooth patches on back of redear • opercle flap (ear) is tipped with extend beyond back of eye tongue in two parallel patches, first stripe red or orange margin below lateral line complete to tail, stripes spotted bass • red eye, horizontal lines of above lateral line are unbroken black crappie • 7-8 dorsal spines, random dark spots on lower sides, upper jaw does blotches on sides not extend beyond back of eye Catfish blue catfish • 30-35 anal fin rays, anal white crappie • 6 dorsal spines, black True Bass fin margin is straight, caudal fin is deeply side markings form vertical bars rather hybrid striped • two tooth patches on forked than random spots back of tongue are joined, first stripe below lateral line complete to tail, stripes channel catfish • 24-29 rays in rounded above lateral line usually broken anal fin, caudal fin is deeply forked, dark spots on sides when young

bluegill black crappie hybrid striped bass

redear white crappie white bass

largemouth bass

striped bass

smallmouth bass

blue catfish

spotted bass channel catfish

Illustrations by Rick Hill, Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources © 2006 INDIANA Fish Identification 55 coho salmon • teeth are set in light white catfish • caudal fin margin is nearly Trout & Salmon color gums, black spots on upper lobe of straight (slightly forked), no dark spots brown trout • white mouth, teeth and slightly forked caudal fin, 12-15 anal fin on sides gums; caudal fin margin square with no rays spots on upper or lower lobe; stream bullhead catfish • caudal fin is straight dwelling browns possess some orange/ lake trout • white mouth, teeth and gums; red spots on sides; resident brown trout in caudal fin deeply forked, body color light Perch Lake Michigan possess black X-shaped to dark gray with light spots sauger • 3 or 4 saddle shaped blotches on markings on sides. back and sides, spotted dorsal fin rainbow trout or steelhead • white chinook salmon or king salmon • teeth mouth, teeth and gums; small black spots walleye • no spots on dorsal fin, dusky are set in dark gums, black spots on back on back, sides, caudal and dorsal fins, spot at rear of spiny dorsal fin, lower tip and both lobes of square caudal fin, 15-17 caudal fin margin is square; 9-12 anal of tail and anal fin are white anal fin rays fin rays

sauger coho salmon

walleye lake trout

saugeye rainbow or steelhead trout

brown trout northern pike

chinook or king salmon muskellunge

Ilustrations of chinook salmon, coho salmon, lake trout, muskellunge and saugeye © Joseph R. Tomelleri