Come visit the DNR at the Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show, Feb. 17-19 and 22-26, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. State Park Inns will have an information booth in the Tourism area of the show.
The DNR's main location is in Tackle Town in the Blue Ribbon Pavilion. The booth is a convenient one-stop shopping opportunity for licenses, state park passes, lake-use permits, and Outdoor Indiana magazine subscriptions. DNR biologists and State Parks interpretive naturalists will be on hand throughout the show to share program information and resources, as well as answer your fish and wildlife and parks questions.
Winter Special – 2 nights for 1 at State Park Inns
It's not too late to take advantage of this offer, and winter is a great time to visit the beauty of the parks and enjoy savings at the Inns. We have lodge rooms and cabins located in the most beautiful places in Indiana, and we can't wait to see you.
Turkey Run, Abe Martin Lodge (in Brown County State Park), and Potawatomi Inn (in Pokagon State Park) offer cabins as well as lodge rooms.
Stay two nights for the price of one, Sunday-Thursday only, now through March 2.
Call to reserve at 1.877.LODGES1.
Monon South Trail to cross five counties in southern Indiana
Gov. Eric J. Holcomb announced in his 2023 State of the State address that the DNR will award $29.5 million to acquire and begin development of the 62.3-mile Monon South Trail spanning five counties in southern Indiana. Once complete, the trail will be the longest contiguous recreational trail in Indiana.
The Monon South Trail will follow the route of the historic Monon Railroad, starting in New Albany and running through the communities of Borden, New Pekin, Salem, Campbellsburg, Saltillo, Orleans, and Mitchell. This route includes portions of Floyd, Clark, Washington, Orange, and Lawrence counties.
Find an outdoor adventure and get moving
Ready to get out of the house? Combine being outdoors with some exercise – and surprise yourself with how great it makes you feel. On the Healthy Parks, Healthy People page, you will find a variety of outdoor activities to enjoy and help you get moving at Indiana’s state parks and state-managed lakes.
Always assume you are on thin ice
With the recent temperature drops across the state, Indiana Conservation Officers are advising Hoosiers across the state of the potential hazards of being on frozen lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams.
Every winter, thousands of Hoosiers safely enjoy fishing, skating, hiking, or just sliding around on frozen ponds and lakes. And every year, people drown after falling through ice.
Just like driving differently on snow versus on clear roads, it’s important to adjust your approach to safely have fun on ice.
The best rule of thumb is to put safety first. When you are thinking about getting on the ice, believe it is thin ice unless proven otherwise.
Eagle Watch at Salamonie Lake Feb. 4, 11, and 18
We will caravan to well-known eagle viewing locations. Enjoy a program and campfire with hotdogs and s’mores at a shelter.
Advance registration is required. To register and get more information, call 260-468-2127.
Sign up for Happy Little Trees virtual 5K by March 1 and support Indiana State Parks
Inspired by “Happy Painter” Bob Ross' love of the outdoors, Indiana State Parks and the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (INRF) are partnering with the Michigan DNR to stage the virtual Run for the Trees / Happy Little (Virtual) 5K between Earth Day and Arbor Day.
In Indiana, proceeds will be used to fund projects at Indiana State Parks related to forest health, tree planting, invasive species removal, and other stewardship-related projects through the INRF.
Participants will receive a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, a commemorative race bib number, and a finisher’s medal, similar to what participants in an in-person event traditionally get.
To learn more and sign up by the deadline of March 1, see runsignup.com/happytrees, where you can also make additional donations to the cause.
Fish of the Year award winners for 2022
Each year anglers from around the state submit their biggest catches from Indiana waters hoping they will top the list for their species.
Winning entries for Fish of the Year are determined by the total length of the fish. Participants are required to submit information about their fish, including where they caught it and the bait they used. They must also include a photo documenting the measured length of the fish.
In 2022, 71 anglers submitted entries for 55 different species. Submissions included numerous entries for popular species such as largemouth bass, rainbow trout, and bluegill. Several lesser-known species also received submissions, including emerald shiner, golden shiner, and mottled sculpin.
To view the full list of winners and learn more about how to participate in the Fish of the Year program, visit on.IN.gov/RecordFish.
2023-24 hunting seasons dates available
Be sure to check out the newly posted 2023-24 hunting seasons. Dates for migratory bird and waterfowl seasons will be available in the summer. Those seasons are set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in cooperation with the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife.
Your 2022-23 hunting and fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2023.
Meet us at Marsh Madness, Feb. 24-25
Join us at Marsh Madness, a community-based birding festival held in Linton. Come celebrate the migration of sandhill cranes and waterfowl at Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA). Led by the Friends of Goose Pond, the festival is filled with fun activities, including food trucks, master tracker programs, and nature trail walking tours.
Donate to wildlife on your taxes
You can support Indiana’s imperiled wildlife by donating to the Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund. Established in 1982, the dedicated fund supports nongame and endangered species conservation. These wildlife species and their habitats are essential to our quality of life, from improving environmental health to providing opportunities to see beautiful and unique animals across the state.
Donations to the Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund help DNR obtain additional funding through a federal match. Find out how to donate on your Indiana state taxes by watching this video.
Don’t forget to sign up for Nongame Wildlife Fund News to learn more about the fund’s history of successes.
Public Access at Blue Grass Fish & Wildlife Area
Blue Grass Fish & Wildlife Area is now home to an accessible fishing pier and courtesy dock thanks to a $10,000 donation from the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation.
The ADA-compliant fishing pier/dock provides public access opportunities to water recreation enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. With a clear path from the parking lot and improved fishing opportunities, the addition can be used by anglers, kayakers, and boaters.
Historic Preservation Month photo contest starts
Get out your cameras and find your favorite historic destination because the DNR Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology’s annual preservation photo contest has begun.
All subjects of photos must be at least 50 years old and in Indiana. They do not have to be fully restored. Photos of exclusively natural elements will not be accepted.
For complete rules and guidelines and for the required entry form, see on.IN.gov/preservationmonth. The contest deadline is April 7.
Light Goose Conservation Order permits available Feb. 13 to March 31
From Feb. 13 to March 31, you can apply for a free permit to participate in Indiana’s Light Goose Conservation Order. Legal species include snow geese and Ross’ geese (white and blue phases of both species are legal).
You must have an Indiana hunting license and an Indiana waterfowl stamp along with the free permit to participate. Neither a federal waterfowl stamp nor a HIP number is required.
Subscribe to the Indiana State Parks newsletter
Find out about upcoming events, deals, and everything new with Indiana State Parks. You can sign up to receive this bi-monthly newsletter by subscribing here.
Outdoors in your mailbox
Subscribe online to Outdoor Indiana magazine to get the best of the Hoosier outdoors delivered to you, every other month. Read excerpts of the current issue.
The Foundation celebrates and preserves Indiana’s natural legacy by raising funds to support the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and its programs.
