Renew your license now
Are you licensed for another year of outdoor adventures? All annual licenses and stamp privileges from last season expire March 31. Licenses can be renewed online, in person, or by mail.
Check out our Licenses & Permits webpage for more information on licenses.
Prep for spring turkey season
As spring turkey season approaches, it’s a great time to start scouting for birds. This is the best time of year to look out for roost trees and see if you can find where turkeys are consistently feeding. The males (gobblers) won’t be as interested in food during spring as they are the rest of the year because they will be searching for a mate. Females (hens) will be, however, and they’re likely returning to the same places to feed.
Remember, in spring turkey season you’re only allowed to harvest a bearded bird, including a bearded hen. For more information on turkey hunting, be sure to check out our website.
Old traditions, fresh opportunities: Youth turkey season
Youth turkey season is April 20-21. Plan a weekend of turkey hunting fun for the whole family, or take a youth hunter with you when you plan to go and share your love for the outdoors. Hoosiers 17 or younger on the date of the hunt can participate but must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years of age. Find more information and regulations on our youth hunts webpage.
New smallmouth bass record set in March
Hoosier angler Rex Remington smashed the previous smallmouth bass state record on March 3 with an 8-pound, 3.6-ounce smallmouth bass that he caught on Monroe Lake. Remington bested the previous record, set over 30 years ago at Twin Lake in LaGrange County, by one pound. The new record fish was released alive back into Monroe Lake.
Interested in making your own historic catch? Learn more about the Indiana Record Fish Program and how to submit entries.
Here comes the fun: Spring fish stockings
After you renew your fishing license, it’s time to put it to good use. The DNR starts stocking fish in early April, and you can take advantage of these opportunities to get an early start on your spring fishing adventures. View fish stocking locations on our fish stocking webpage as well as our Urban Fishing webpage. Our first Free Fishing Day of the year is May 12. Mark your calendars!
Looking to familiarize yourself with our fishing regulations? View our latest Fishing Guide online.
Look out for invasive carp in your bait bucket!
Spring is the time anglers return to fishing on Indiana’s lakes and rivers. Often that includes catching and using live bait. Remember to dispose of all unused bait fish properly in the trash, as invasive carp could be lurking in your bait bucket. Improperly disposing of unused bait fish in a lake or stream could potentially allow invasive species, like silver carp, to spread in Indiana waters.
Find out more about how you can help in the fight against invasive carp on our website.
Swapping strategies: Recapping February’s final in-person SWAP workshop
In February, DNR staff met with partners in the Interior Plateau and Drift Plains regions to hold the final in-person workshop for the 2025 revision of the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). The SWAP promotes conservation actions based on six regions in the state. This collaborative conservation planning was fueled by each partner’s passion for Indiana’s natural resources. Whether attendees were wearing their favorite native birds on their tattoo sleeves or having courageous conversations with other attendees, their enthusiasm for the work supported the SWAP’s vision of protecting and improving Indiana’s fish, wildlife, and the places they live. Thank you to our partners who attended this last workshop!
The SWAP team is only halfway to the finish line. DNR staff will shift their focus to further refining conservation strategies and defining the health of our focal ecosystems in 2024. We’ll be inviting partners to participate again in virtual working groups to support the work. Learn more about the Indiana SWAP and the conservation actions happening in your region on our State Wildlife Action Plan website.
Natural Resources Commission opens public comment period for proposed changes to river otter trapping rules
The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has opened a public comment period for proposed changes to Indiana’s river otter trapping rule before members vote on final adoption of the proposed changes. If adopted, these changes would take effect this November in time for river otter trapping season.
The DNR is proposing to open river otter trapping statewide but keep all other otter regulations the same. The proposed changes will allow people to handle emerging wildlife conflicts in all counties and simplify the river otter regulations. The DNR is confident the changes will not negatively impact river otter populations, which staff will continue to monitor.
Public comments can be submitted online. Locate the “Submit Comments Here” link in the Rule Docket for the River Otter Trapping Rule. The deadline for public comments is April 11. The public hearing will be held on April 11 between 4 and 8 p.m. ET at the Roosevelt Ballroom in the Fort Harrison State Park Inn, 5830 North Post Road, Indianapolis. You can attend in person or online anytime during that timeframe. To attend the public hearing virtually, starting at 4 p.m. on April 11, go to Microsoft Teams and enter Meeting ID: 225 955 437 243, Passcode: xGYyKo.
Questions about the proposed river otter trapping rule changes should be directed to Geriann Albers at 812-822-3304 or galbers@dnr.IN.gov. For more information on the proposed rule changes, visit our rule and regulations changes web page.
The final countdown: Total solar eclipse on April 8
A total solar eclipse is coming soon, and many parts of Indiana will be in the path of totality, an area where it will get completely dark in the middle of the day.
If you haven’t yet planned your viewing experience, visit our solar eclipse webpage to find a DNR property to visit. Traffic will be heavy, so plan ahead. For more safety information and things to know, please visit on.IN.gov/eclipse.
Conservation celebrations: Fish & Wildlife and Nature Preserves employee awards
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) divisions of Fish & Wildlife and Nature Preserves recently presented awards to employees who provided outstanding contributions to conservation, mentoring, and teamwork during the previous year. Award winners were Tiffany Dunkel, Joe Caudell, Mary Hayes, Fred Phillips, Bob Bell, Andrew Reuter, and the 2024 Annual Conference Planning team. The divisions also recognized employees for their years of service:
40 years: Tom Arthur, Jeff Malwitz, Dave Meuninck
35 years: Robert Greene, Earl Nading
30 years: Brad Feaster, Ray Shepard, Debbie Walter
25 years: Josh Griffin
20 years: Denise Brazel, Matthew Bredeweg, Randy Brindza, Debbie King
15 years: Sandy Clark-Kolaks, Amy Kearns, Donna Monroe
10 years: Kacey Alexander, Nicholas Echterling, Julie Gressley, Tim Pettifor, Joseph Simon
5 years: Jake Adams, Kenneth Ford, Phillip Kacmar, Emily McCallen, Bethany Rust, Seth Sanders, Kevin Shettle, Zachary Voyles, Kenneth Wetzel
Read more details on the winning employees’ contributions in our news release.
Participate in research for chronic wasting disease management
Researchers at Purdue University are studying the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in white-tailed deer. CWD is a fatal neurological disease affecting deer and is caused by an infective protein (prion) that damages the animal’s nervous system. CWD can spread through deer-to-deer contact or through contaminated environments. To date, CWD has not been detected in Indiana. No cases of CWD have been recorded in humans.
Information collected may help inform Indiana DNR’s response to CWD. Participants will answer online survey questions and use a web app which shows how CWD may spread. The activity and survey questions take about 30 minutes to complete. The study is open to everyone 18 years or older. All that is required to participate is a computer or tablet. Participate in the study online.
For questions about this study, please email the research team at cwdwebapp@purdue.edu. Please reference the following in the email: Study title - Web App Use and Intention to Reduce Chronic Wasting Disease Spread; Principal Investigator – Dr. Patrick Zollner; IRB Number – IRB-2023-1039.
Celebrate National Volunteer Week
From April 21-27, DNR will celebrate National Volunteer Week. It’s a time to show appreciation to hard-working volunteers around the state who dedicate their energy, skills, and support to enrich the quality of life for present and future generations of Indiana’s fish, wildlife, and their habitats.
Whether they’re rolling up their sleeves at Fish & Wildlife areas to manage habitat, pulling up waders at state fish hatcheries to improve outdoor recreation opportunities, or sharpening pencils and observation skills to document wildlife populations, DFW volunteers are essential to maintaining healthy ecological communities.
Thank you to our DFW volunteers for the many ways you support and contribute to our team! Interested in joining the ranks of our volunteer all-stars? Please visit our volunteer webpage to create a volunteer profile and learn more about upcoming opportunities.
Like to hike? Free guided hikes at Nature Preserves
Join the Division of Nature Preserves and its partner organizations on free guided hikes this April. Whether you’re looking for cliffs and adventures or a closer look at some of Indiana’s rare plants, there’s a hike for you. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. View the events online for more information on each hike.
April 13: Calli Nature Preserve, Jennings County
April 20: Sam Shine Foundation Preserve, Monroe County
April 20: Yellow Birch Ravine Nature Preserve, Crawford County
April 27: Asherwood Nature Preserve, Wabash County
Can’t make the hikes this month? Guided hikes will also be offered in May. View the Division of Nature Preserves’ calendar events for all future hikes.
Falcon family home renovation
Since 1995, a nest box on top of Market Tower in downtown Indianapolis has assisted peregrine falcon parents in raising 88 chicks over nearly 30 years. It is one of the oldest and most productive nest boxes in the state, but the box was falling apart after decades of wear and tear. The DNR ornithology team recently installed a new nest box for the next generations of downtown Indianapolis falcons.
Due to the height of Market Tower, the nest boxes successfully mimic cliffside habitat that is scarce in Indiana. Staff and public efforts to build nest boxes have helped peregrine falcon population levels increase over time. As of 2013, peregrine falcons were taken off the state endangered list and are now considered species of greatest conservation need.
Want to learn more about the process of disassembling and installing a new nest box on a 421-foot tower? Check out our Instagram reel that documents the process and learn more about our Nongame Wildlife Fund.
Keep wildlife wild: How to interact with young wildlife
As spring continues, wildlife, especially young wildlife, will become more prevalent. It may be tempting to cuddle cute, young wildlife when they emerge, but it’s important to always assess the situation before intervening. Follow these tips for interacting with young wildlife this spring:
- Young wildlife’s best chance of survival is with their mother, and your support can often unintentionally harm them if it is not needed. If young wildlife have fallen out of a den or nest, you can return them to it and then leave the area.
- Human scent will not deter a mother from coming back.
- It is common for a mother to leave her young for long periods of time to forage for herself and her young, so don't linger near wildlife or their homes too long. Doing this can dissuade a mother from returning or alert predators to the young. Prevent orphan wildlife by scanning your yard before doing yard work and supervising pets when they are outdoors.
If you’re uncertain whether wildlife needs assistance, reach out to a permitted wildlife rehabilitator before picking up wildlife. If they truly need assistance, they must be turned over to a permitted wildlife rehabilitator within 24 hours.
2024’s Earth Day: Healthy Earth, Animals, & People
On April 22, people around the world will celebrate Earth Day, a day that prompts us to reflect on the importance of maintaining healthy environments worldwide. Earth Day embraces One Health, the concept that the well-being of all life on Earth is interconnected. When we improve the health of our environments, we’re also improving the health of people and animals. Everyone can make a difference when we work together to create a healthier world.
You can take these small steps to promote One Health in Indiana:
- Remember the three Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle your waste whenever possible.
- Dispose of unused medicine properly and avoid flushing it down a toilet.
- Use alternative transportation methods whenever possible.
- Consider using non-lead equipment when hunting and fishing.
- View wildlife from a safe distance. If you fear wildlife may be sick or they are found dead, report it using our online form.
Join DNR in creating a healthier connection with the natural world around us.
Recent news releases
Channel catfish stocked in urban lakes
DNR honors outstanding employees
What to know if visiting a DNR property for eclipse
Youth reserved turkey hunt applications open March 18-28
Angler catches state record smallmouth bass on Monroe Lake
Natural Resources Commission seeks input on proposed otter trapping rule changes
Upcoming events
- March 30 – Woodcock Walk, Goose Pond FWA
- March 30 – Midwest Walleye Challenge
- April 6 – Hands on Habitat Volunteer Day, Willow Slough FWA
- April 6 – Women’s Intro to Fishing Class, Indianapolis
- April 6 – Beginner Bass Fishing Class, Indianapolis
- April 7 – Women’s Intro to Fishing Class, Carmel
- April 7 – Beginner Bass Fishing Class, Carmel
- April 8 – Total Solar Eclipse, State of Indiana
- April 13 – Weed Wrangle, J.E. Roush Lake FWA
- April 13 – Women's Intro to Fishing Class, Pinhook Park, South Bend
- April 20 – Women's Intro to Fishing Class, Lakeside Park, Fort Wayne
- June 11 – Early Childhood Educator Workshop, Elkhart County
More
- Buy a license
- Hunting information
- Where to Hunt
- Fishing information
- Where to Fish
- Fish & Wildlife properties
The Indiana Natural Resources Foundation celebrates and preserves Indiana’s natural legacy by raising funds to support the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and its programs. Together, we have helped expand public lands, restore wildlife habitat, and create outdoor educational and recreational opportunities for Hoosiers.
About Fish and Wildlife Management in Indiana
Fish and wildlife management and public access are funded by fishing and hunting license revenue and also through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. These programs collect excise taxes on sporting arms and ammunition, archery equipment, fishing equipment, and motor boat fuels. The money is distributed among state fish and wildlife agencies based on land size and the number of licensed anglers and hunters in each state. Find out more information about fish and wildlife management in Indiana at Wildlife.IN.gov.