These surveys collected important data that previously did not exist regarding how ducks and geese use rivers in the south and central waterfowl hunting zones.
After eight years of surveys, the data clearly show that duck usage of the lower Wabash consistently peaks during the last two to three weeks of January. Duck usage on the West Fork White is more variable, but within the range seen on Fish & Wildlife Areas in the central zone. Because analysis of these data has shown consistent timing of waterfowl usage, the surveys are no longer necessary on these river systems. If evidence in future years indicates shifts in migration timing, the possibility of doing these surveys could be revisited. Find weekly waterfowl counts on our website.
Two more deer hunting seasons coming
If you didn’t take a deer during firearms season, don’t worry – there’s still time. Muzzleloader season opens Dec. 5. The special antlerless season opens Dec. 26.
Find deer information and resources online
Find all the information you need for a successful deer hunt on one webpage. Keep track of current harvest data and comparisons to previous seasons. This information is updated daily during deer season.
Have questions about deer seasons or regulations? Use our Deer Hotline by emailing INDeerHotline@dnr.IN.gov or calling 812-334-3795, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
Special antlerless season open statewide in 2020-21
During 2020-21, the special antlerless firearms season will be open statewide, except in counties with a county bonus antlerless quota designation of “A”. The season will open on Dec. 26 and run until Jan. 3. For more information, including a map of county bonus antlerless quotas, visit our website.
Morgan Bluff WMA now open for recreation
Earlier this year, the Indiana Department of Transportation transferred a 455-acre property to the Division of Fish & Wildlife. This new addition to Indiana public lands is known as Morgan Bluff Wildlife Management Area. Located in southwestern Greene County, the unique property borders the West Fork White River with bottomland hardwoods, wooded wetlands, and an oxbow lake. The area is now open for public use; all standard regulations for Fish & Wildlife properties apply. Access to the area crosses private land; be sure to drive only on the gravel access lane and park in the designated parking lot.
Morgan Bluff Wildlife Management Area is managed by Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA). A property map can be found here. Questions related to the property can be directed to Goose Pond FWA’s office.
Hunting seasons in December
Deer Muzzleloader: Dec. 5–20
Deer Special Antlerless: Dec. 26 – Jan. 3, 2021
Wild Turkey Fall Archery: Dec. 5 – Jan. 3, 2021
Pheasant (Cock only): Closes Dec. 15
Dove: Dec. 12 – Jan. 7, 2021
Crow: Dec. 13 – Mar. 1, 2021
Snipe: Closes Dec. 16
Quail (north of Interstate 74): Closes Dec. 15
Ducks (North Zone): Closes Dec. 13, reopens Dec. 26–Jan. 3. 2021
Suspected naturally spawned young-of-year walleye collected at Summit Lake.
Investigating natural walleye reproduction
Walleye are among the top 10 most sought-after sportfish in Indiana. These fish also have specialized spawning habitat requirements: they prefer to deposit eggs on clean, coarse surfaces such as large rocks and gravel in areas with current or wave action that provides an abundant supply of oxygen. These specialized habitat conditions are relatively rare in Indiana’s inland lakes, creating an annual stocking need met by DNR. Investigating natural recruitment in these lakes can be difficult. Differentiating naturally spawned walleye from stocked fish requires intensive work to chemically mark and recapture large numbers of young-of-year fish.
The pandemic canceled this year’s walleye egg collection efforts at Brookville Lake. Those efforts supply fry and fingerlings for the state hatchery system. While this interruption prevented many normal walleye stockings from occurring in 2020, the lack of stocking provided a rare opportunity to investigate natural recruitment more easily than in past years. Several central Indiana lakes, including Prairie Creek Reservoir, Summit Lake, Brookville Lake, and Cagles Mill Lake are being surveyed for evidence of natural walleye reproduction. Understanding levels of natural reproduction can help biologists prioritize habitat enhancement efforts, set proper stocking rates, and better understand walleye population dynamics in these lakes. A public report detailing project findings will be produced in 2021.
Find information on walleye fishing and regulations on our website or in the Indiana Fishing Guide. Questions about walleye fishing near you? Contact your district fisheries biologist.
Rainbow trout fished out of the Brookville Lake tailwater.
What’s biting?
December means it’s cold in Indiana. The fish are still biting, but you may have to be more patient and dress warmer.
For bass, work chatterbaits slower and twitch jerkbaits. Fish for crappie under docks using small jigs and light line. Although fall is the peak time for muskie fishing, muskie are still feeding in the shallows of our northern natural lakes and southern impoundments. Walleye bites may have slowed down, but walleye can still be caught in our lakes and rivers, even through the ice. Just slow your reeling, trolling, or jigging.
Trout don’t mind the cool waters. In fact, they prefer it. That’s why we recently stocked hundreds of trout in lakes across the state. Open trout season for inland streams ends Dec. 31, so hit those trout streams for rainbow, brown, and brook trout. Brookville Lake’s tailwater is a popular spot.
In the Lake Michigan area, try steelhead fishing in Trail Creek, Salt Creek, the Little Calumet River, or the St. Joseph River below Twin Branch Dam. Pier anglers can find whitefish and lake trout hanging around breakwalls and tributary mouths this winter. Yellow perch can offer fast action in the Cal Park area from shore or boat. For more information on Lake Michigan fishing, visit our website.
DNR opens 439th public access site near Madison
Hoosiers can now enjoy access to the Ohio River via the Brooksburg Public Access Site near Madison. The new site is the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s 439th public access site. A $1.2 million investment of DNR funding and a strong partnership with Jefferson County Parks made this new opportunity for Indiana’s avid anglers and water enthusiasts possible.
The Brooksburg Public Access Site is located at 531 South Brooksburg Main Street. For more information, view our news release about this new site.
Donations fund monitoring efforts for the state endangered loggerhead shrike (pictured).
Give back to wildlife this holiday season
The holidays are upon us, and Indiana’s wildlife could use a gift from you. You can help with ongoing conservation efforts through the Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund. Donations support habitat management and conservation programs for more than 150 species of greatest conservation need, including barn owls, Eastern hellbenders, and multiple at-risk bat species. The Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund has contributed to the successful recovery of bald eagles and river otters. Help ensure future generations can enjoy wildlife tomorrow by supporting them today.
Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund at Work: Aquatics
While a lot of people may call any small fish a minnow, minner, or minnie, there are actually around 50 different native species of minnows found in Indiana waters. These fish are in the family of fishes Cyprinidae. Five are listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), including longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), which is limited to a few streams in extreme north-central Indiana as well as waters along the shoreline of Lake Michigan.
Modifications to a dam on the lower Elkhart River this past winter through a joint project of the City of Elkhart, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program resulted in the transformation of an area containing previously impounded water. The area now includes a new section of fast, rocky, shallow water, which is perfect habitat for longnose dace. Using a backpack electrofisher and small seines, the new riffle was sampled by the City of Elkhart’s fisheries biologist this fall, specifically looking for longnose dace, and a thriving population was found. Biologists hope the continued restoration of Indiana’s river and stream habitats will lead to the removal of longnose dace from the state’s list of SGCN.
Monitoring of Indiana’s listed minnow species is made possible by donations to the Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund. Consider donating to help ongoing recovery efforts of Indiana’s most imperiled species.
Give the gift of conservation
When you purchase a Tree Shirt, you are helping reforest Indiana. For each shirt sold, the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation will partner with the Division of Forestry to plant one tree in an Indiana state forest.
Along with each shirt, you'll receive an official tree certificate with a unique tree ID and the coordinates for the acre where the tree will be planted.
Tree shirts make excellent Christmas gifts. For the shirt to arrive before Christmas, please complete your order by Dec. 6. For more information on the Indiana Tree Project visit our website.
Recent news releases
New public access site near Madison now open
NRC accepts preliminary adoption of hunting changes
A few reminders for deer hunters
DNR Fish & Wildlife staffer receives state environmental award
How hunters can test harvested deer for chronic wasting disease
DNR evaluates effectiveness of bass stocking at Patoka Lake
Surplus fall trout stocked throughout Indiana
Upcoming events
Find a list of upcoming events on wildlife.IN.gov.
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The Indiana Natural Resources Foundation's mission is to support and encourage the charitable, educational and scientific programs of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Together, we have helped expand public lands, restore wildlife habitat and create education opportunities.
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.
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