2023 fishing and hunting licenses
Indiana fishing and hunting licenses are now available for purchase for the upcoming seasons. They are valid April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024.
Turkey Run State Park trail is Midwest’s ‘Best Hike’
Turkey Run State Park’s Trail 3 was recently named the Midwest’s Best Hike in Midwest Living’s annual Best of the Midwest list.
The 1.7-mile trail is a relatively rugged trek that traces a riverbed. Rock formations, waterfalls, and glacial potholes provide scenic highlights before hikers climb out of the canyon via wooden ladders. Trail 3 hikers are advised to wear shoes they don’t mind getting wet.
Abe Martin Lodge
State Park Inns spring savings special
Stay two or more consecutive nights, and receive 25% off your stay. Valid any day of the week. Certain restrictions may apply. Special ends May 25, 2023.
2023 Free Fishing Days
Every year, Indiana DNR offers Hoosiers four opportunities to fish for free. This year’s Free Fishing 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.
Easter meal at Indiana State Park Inns
Join us for a delicious family tradition at your favorite inn on Easter Sunday, April 9. Enjoy our famous fried chicken, ham, carved roast beef, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, pies for dessert, and much more. Make your reservation now.
Easter Egg Hunts at State Parks
“Hop” on down to Indiana State Parks for fun egg-stravaganza events happening around the state to celebrate spring. Bring the whole family to hunt for eggs and enjoy spring weather at the parks.
April 1 – Summit Lake State Park and Versailles Egg Hunts
April 7 – Prophetstown Night Hike Egg-stravaganza Egg Hunts (Registration Required)
April 8 – Harmonie, Lincoln, Potato Creek, Shakamak, and Tippecanoe Egg Hunts
April 8 – Pokagon Easter Trail
For more details, please see calendar.dnr.IN.gov.
Banded Sculpin
Fish identification for you
With around 200 different species of fish in Indiana waters, it’s not uncommon that Hoosier anglers might hook 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. Not only do you receive an identification, DNR biologists benefit by gaining new information on the distribution of some of our less common species.
Discover the Outdoors: Connecting students to the natural world
Since its inception in 2013, the Discover the Outdoors field trip grant program has given more than 17,000 students the chance to visit an Indiana state park or reservoir.
By providing Hoosier students with hands-on learning opportunities, the program helps establish a connection with the natural world and inspire the next generation of conservation leaders.
Each trip is a chance to experience the rich natural and cultural wonders Indiana has to offer. For many students, the field trip will be their first opportunity to explore an Indiana State Park.
The Indiana Natural Resources Foundation, in partnership with Indiana State Parks, is able to fund these unique trips thanks to the generosity of donors. Learn more about the program's rich history and how you can support it in the INRF's latest impact story.
Join DNR Division of Nature Preserves for two free guided hikes
Moraine Nature Preserve, May 6, 9:30 a.m.
Moraine Nature Preserve contains a combination of rolling ridges, steep hills, pothole wetlands, and a shallow pond. The property protects a mosaic of natural communities including pond, shrub swamp, mesic upland forest, and dry-mesic upland forest.
Olin Lake Nature Preserve, May 20, 9:30 a.m.
At just over 100 acres, Olin Lake is the largest lake in Indiana with an undeveloped shoreline. Swamp forest along the shoreline includes tamarack, silver maple, red maple, and green ash. Skunk cabbage abounds in low, mucky spots. On the upland portion of the southeast shore is the remnant of a once-large woods. There are large specimens of sugar maple, beech, hackberry, and red oak trees.
New visitors center trail at Goose Pond FWA
The accessible 0.5-mile gravel trail circles the visitors center. The trail’s surface and maximum 15% slope grades allow for virtually anyone of any ability to use it and appreciate the route’s wildflower plantings and interpretive signage.
Goose Pond serves as an inclusive space for birding and other outdoor recreational opportunities across 9,098 acres of prairie and marsh habitat. Built in 2016, the visitors center includes interpretive displays and scopes for viewing wildlife.
DNR is hiring summer workers
Indiana state parks and inns are hiring workers for the summer season. Most positions will be seasonal, but some are full or part-time year-round positions.
To apply for a position at a state park inn, see Indianainnsjobs.com. To apply for a position at one of the state parks, see on.IN.gov/dnrjobs.
Celebrate National Volunteer Week with DNR
During National Volunteer Week, April 16-22, the DNR will thank and recognize its volunteers for caring for Indiana’s natural and cultural resources and salute their accomplishments on agency social media pages.
Hoosiers can connect with Indiana’s natural and cultural heritage and the DNR volunteer community by donating their time and talents at their favorite DNR property.
To find out how you can help DNR properties and become part of DNR’s volunteer family, explore on.IN.gov/dnrvolunteer or contact your local DNR property to learn more.
For complete list of programs for April 16-22, visit calendar.dnr.IN.gov.
Spring turkey season is flying around the corner
The trees are filled with gobbles, and that can only mean one thing, Indiana’s spring turkey season is less than a month away. As these birds begin their unique mating displays, males will gobble and strut to draw in hens, and the hens will crouch to let the males know they’ve been chosen.
The spring youth season is April 22-23, and the regular season is April 26-May 14.
What to do about injured & orphaned wildlife
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.
Remember that it is unlawful to possess a wild animal without a proper permit.
2023 Recreation Guides available
Indiana Recreation Guides are now available at Indiana State Park properties and online. Grab your one-stop guide for all your recreation needs at a DNR property near you.
Beautify Mississinewa: Trash Pick-up, April 22
Meet at Mississinewa Lake’s property office located in Miami SRA to help clean trash that has accumulated all winter. Volunteers will be directed to locations on the property from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Cleaning up the property makes a great group project.
Get your hands on Outdoor Indiana
Subscribe to Outdoor Indiana magazine for yourself or a friend. To read article excerpts, go to OutdoorIndiana.org.
The Foundation celebrates and preserves Indiana’s natural legacy by raising funds to support the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and its programs.
