Indiana DNR Wild Bulletin: The inside scoop on what's outside
April 2023
Gear up for spring: Buy your fishing license and enjoy 2023 free fishing days
Photo courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Buy your fishing license now
Out with the old and in with the new! Spring has “o-fish-ally” begun, and it’s time to buy your license for the 2023 fishing season. If you haven’t purchased it yet, you can do so on our website or at your local retailer. We hope to see you out by the water this year!
Hoosiers, get hooked on fishing!
If you’re looking to test the waters before you buy your fishing license, the DNR's Free Fishing Days are for you. Every year, all Hoosiers have four days they can fish for free without a license. This year’s days are May 7, June 3-4, and Sept. 23.
Whether you’re fishing for dinner or a new thrill, a Free Fishing Day is your chance to get on the water with no strings attached. Trust us, you’ll be hooked.
Spring turkey season is flying around the corner
The trees are filled with gobble sounds, which means Indiana’s spring turkey season is less than a month away.
Make sure to buy your hunting license before turkey season begins on April 26. The season runs through May 14. Children age 17 or younger on the date of the hunt can participate in youth turkey season on April 22-23. Remember only one bearded bird can be taken in the spring season. For more information on regulations and rules for turkey season, be sure to visit our online resources.
What fish is this?
Pond-ering what you’ve caught or looking for an expert opinion? With around 200 different species of fish swimming in Indiana bodies of water, it’s common for Hoosier anglers to catch a species they’ve never seen before. Send a picture with the location information and date of your catch to fishid@dnr.IN.gov, and a biologist will respond to you with an identification. DNR biologists benefit by gaining new information on the distribution of some of our less common species.
Whether we’re helping to settle a debate or educating you on the species of fish inhabiting your local waters, we’re here to help. Catch, snap, and send your photos to our email address!
What to do about sick & orphaned wildlife
When you see young animals alone, remember parents of wildlife rarely abandon their babies, although they will leave them unattended for hours at a time. You should contact a permitted wildlife rehabilitator only if you witness the parents become hurt, if the babies are injured or sick, or if you haven’t seen the parents in multiple days. It is against the law to possess a wild animal without a permit.
For more information on orphaned and injured animals, see our website.
Kankakee Fish & Wildlife Area celebrates 100 years
In 1923, Indiana DNR designated 2,302 acres along the Yellow and Kankakee rivers in Starke County as Kankakee State Game Preserve, later to be known as Kankakee Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA). Kankakee FWA now spans 4,199 acres across revitalized marsh, open water, riparian woods, periodically flooded crop fields, and 11 miles of river.
To celebrate a century of providing habitat for wildlife and outdoor activities for visitors, Kankakee FWA will host events throughout the year highlighting what makes the area such a special place. Visit during our first celebration event featuring guided birding hikes on Saturday, April 15 at 7:30 a.m. CT.
Better habitat, better fishing
DNR recently placed 21 Mossback structures in five different locations throughout Kokomo Reservoir to increase the amount of habitat for fish. This in turn may lead to more successful fishing trips for anglers. Thanks to The Indiana Muskie Club, who donated six of these structures, as well as the local anglers and community members for their involvement and input.
In addition to the Mossback structures, DNR planted native vegetation in two areas of the reservoir last July with the aim of establishing vegetation. Stay tuned—more structure is on the way. Check out the location of these structures online.
Volunteer during National Volunteer Week, April 16-22
Cheers volunteers! During National Volunteer Week, DNR thanks you for your service. Whether you’ve been donating your time for a few days or a few years, celebrate the week by checking out a list of current volunteer opportunities. Creating a volunteer profile is the perfect way to connect with DNR staff and learn about opportunities near you. If you can’t find an activity that suits you, we’re happy to match you with an opportunity that matches your skills and interests.
Keep it green on Earth Day, April 22
Each year, Earth Day celebrates our love for our natural environment and raises awareness of the need to protect our global natural resources. If you’re looking for ways to appreciate the Earth, there’s no better place to go than a fish & wildlife area. Check out our event page for some great opportunities for enjoying the outdoors this month.
Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area dedicates new trail
Happy trails! On Feb. 25, DNR celebrated the creation of the Visitors Center Trail at Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area during its annual Marsh Madness event. Thank you to the partners who made the trail possible.
Want to see the trail for yourself? Visit the Goose Pond Visitors Center and enjoy the scenic views and landscapes as you walk around the property.
Now presenting…Fish & Wildlife and Nature Preserves awards
DNR’s Division of Fish & Wildlife and Division of Nature Preserves recently presented awards to employees who provided outstanding contributions to conservation, mentoring, and teamwork efforts during 2022. Congratulations to all our award-winning staff members!
- Conservation Cornerstone: Denise Reust; J.E. Roush Lake FWA office manager
- Conservation Champion: Tom Bacula; District 1 fisheries biologist
- Mentor of the Year: Tom Despot; northwest public lands supervisor
- Nature Preserves Employee of the Year: Scott Namestnik; state botanist
- Director’s Team of the Year: Sandy Clark-Kolaks, Matt Linn, Emily McCallen, Joe Caudell, Tyler Delauder, and Karl Eliason for their work on the Licensed Angler Survey
- Budd Denneman Partners in Conservation Excellence: Indiana Hellbender Partnership (Nate Engbrecht, state herpetologist; Purdue University)
To view the full news release, visit our website.
Where the wild things run: National Wildlife Week
Let the wild rumpus start! National Wildlife Week, April 3-9, champions the diversity in our nation’s wildlife and amplifies ways we can protect wild places.
Watch wildlife videos, find native plants to cultivate in your own yard, and learn how to keep wildlife wild.
Recent news releases
LARE grants to benefit 34 lake and stream projects
10th annual channel catfish stocking in urban lakes
DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife and Division of Nature Preserves award top-performing employees
Upcoming events
- April 7 - Shorebird Hike, Goose Pond FWA
- April 13 - Day at the Range, Atterbury FWA
- April 15 - Birding Hikes: Kankakee FWA 100 Years in Conservation event, Kankakee FWA
- April 15 - Wabashiki Habitat Cleanup Day, Wabashiki FWA
- May 7 - Overcoming Obstacles in Outdoor Recreation - One Woman's Journey, Goose Pond FWA
- June 3 - Free Fishing Day, Winamac FWA and Tippecanoe River State Park
- July 15 - Guided Hike: Pisgah Marsh Nature Preserve, Kosciusko 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.