Fishing and hunting licenses updates
2019-20 annual licenses set to expire March 31, 2020 may continue to be used to hunt and/or fish until 11:59 p.m. on May 22, 2020. Licenses that would meet these requirements include: annual hunting licenses, annual fishing licenses, hunting & fishing combination licenses, youth licenses, Trout/Salmon Stamp Privileges, and Gamebird Habitat Stamp Privileges.
If you do not have a 2019-2020 annual license or stamp, a new 2020-2021 annual license will be needed.
For the upcoming 2020 spring wild turkey season, hunters will need a 2020 Spring Turkey License and valid Gamebird Habitat Stamp Privilege.
Licenses can be purchased by visiting the Indiana Fish & Wildlife Online License System or calling the Indiana DNR Customer Service Center at 877-463-6367, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Enjoy these outdoor activities
Outdoor activities, and travel to and from those activities, are currently still permitted. This includes hiking, biking, fishing, and hunting. Hoosiers should practice social distancing while participating in these activities.
Fish & Wildlife Areas are still open to the public. Find a property near you to visit. Need a place to fish? Check out our Where to Fish map.
Statewide stocking efforts continue
Biologists recently began spring fish stocking at locations across the state and will continue to do so. However, some egg collection efforts have been canceled this year. DNR biologists do not anticipate a significant impact to fishing due to canceled egg collections.
DNR is striving to ensure the safety of the public and staff. As stocking trucks are on the road and staff are stocking fish, please remember to practice social distancing.
For more information on fish stocking, including a trout stocking schedule, visit our website.
Read the news release for more information.
First Free Fishing Day on May 3
The water is open. Indiana residents do not need a fishing license or a trout/salmon stamp to fish the state’s public waters on Free Fishing Days. Take a break from home to get out, toss a line, and catch your own meal. Free Fishing Days are a great opportunity to share the experience with those in your household who might be new to fishing!
Ongoing crappie study at West Boggs Lake
Earlier this year, DNR biologists tagged more than 1,000 crappie with a yellow spaghetti tag. Anglers who catch a tagged crappie should remove the tag from all caught fish using a knife or scissors and place each tag in a separate return envelope. Fill out all of the requested information on the outside of the envelope before returning any envelopes to where they were obtained. Return envelopes are located in marked boxes by the boat ramp, with the creel clerk, or at the West Boggs Lake gatehouse.
For more information about fishing for crappie, visit our website.