Wild Bulletin: The inside scoop on what's outside * February 2022

Anthony Talarico Jr. holds his winning 29-inch burbot.

2021 Fish of the Year winners

Indiana’s Fish of the Year program grew again in 2021, with anglers submitting a record 117 entries from 59 different individuals. That marks the fifth consecutive year with a record number of entries. The number of species entered into the contest grew as well, with a record of 54. Four species made their first appearance on the Fish of the Year list. These included brindled madtom, burbot, common shiner, and mooneye. Common catches missing from the list were brown, rainbow, and lake trout as well as Chinook salmon and striped bass.

A girl holding a yellow bass on a hook

Paul Reschke took top honors for the longest fish with his 54-inch muskie from Lake Webster. Reschke caught the giant through the ice on a tip-up, measured her, and immediately released her back into the depths. Ron Anderson caught the smallest winner of 2021 with his 4-inch brindled madtom, a small member of the catfish family. Anderson won a total of five awards this year, tying with fellow river angler Liu He. Surprisingly, that was not enough to claim the most—Joe Johnson garnered six awards caught from the Ohio and Wabash rivers.

The Wabash was the go-to location for big fish in 2021, yielding eight winning entries. Four winners each came from the Tippecanoe River, Kankakee River, and East Fork of the White River. Rivers and streams were anglers’ favorite spots, accounting for 35 of the 56 awards.

Interested in submitting an entry for 2022? Learn how to enter and review all the 2021 winners online. Please note: Anglers who plan to enter must submit a picture showing the full length of their catch on a measuring board or tape to be eligible.

Pictured: Kaylee Myers with her winning yellow bass.

Indiana 2022-2023 fishing guide cover 2022-2023 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide available

The 2022-2023 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide is now available to view online. Individuals will be able to find free hard copies at DNR properties and retailers by the end of February. Highlights of the new guide include the 2022 Free Fishing Days, 2021 Fish of the Year winners, State Record Fish updates, articles on fishing and its mental health benefits, and tips for cooking bluegill.

Ice fishing basics: Tips and tactics for bluegill

While many different fish can be caught while ice fishing, targeting bluegill will provide the most consistent ice angling success.

A kid holding up a fish they caught ice fishing

Start fishing at locations where you successfully caught bluegill in the fall. The edge of plant beds or near a drop-off are good locations to find roaming fish. Drilling multiple holes ahead of time in likely locations will give you a good start.
Use a small ice fishing jig baited with a single bee moth (or wax worm). Since most fish during the winter are oriented toward the bottom of a body of water, drop the jig to the bottom and raise it a few inches. Twitch the rod tip 1 to 2 inches to attract the fish. Pauses often trigger the bite.
Start fishing each hole for 10 to15 minutes. Stay if you’re catching fish but move to catch the most active fish at each location. Try different types of habitat when searching for active fish.
Bluegill often bite throughout the day, but action slows near dark.
If you are keeping your catch, put the fish in a bucket with a water/snow mixture to keep them from freezing. The fish will be easier to fillet when you get home.

Public waters and many lake depth maps can be found on the Where to Fish Map.

Person holding a fish they reeled in in front of a chair

Mark your calendar for 2022 Free Fishing Days

This year's four Free Fishing Days are May 1, June 4–5, and Sept. 24. Indiana residents do not need a fishing license or a trout/salmon stamp to fish in public waters on these days. Free Fishing Days are a great opportunity to try fishing for the first time, and to take friends and family who are looking for a fun, safe, and rewarding activity. Check the DNR Calendar for fishing events around the state during Free Fishing Days.

Provide input on deer management in Indiana

On Jan. 31, you should have received an email inviting your participation in the 2022 Deer Management Survey. This survey collects input from individuals (both hunters and non-hunting individuals) interested in Indiana’s deer management. DNR uses the results to set the annual antlerless quota, understand opinions on current deer management topics, and identify new topics that need to be addressed or studied. The results from the annual Deer Management Survey are posted online. Take part in responsible deer herd management in Indiana by taking this year’s survey. If you did not receive a survey and would like to receive an invitation, email DeerSurvey@dnr.IN.gov.

Spring wild turkey season coming soon

It’s not too early to start thinking about the 2022 spring wild turkey season that begins with the youth weekend April 23–24. The regular spring turkey season will begin April 27 and run through May 15. The bag limit is one bearded or male wild turkey per hunter. A spring turkey license and a game bird habitat stamp is required to hunt turkey during this season unless an individual is exempt.

Preseason scouting improves hunter success. Prospective hunters should check their equipment to make sure they have everything they need before they hunt. Information including gobbler counts, harvest reports and county data, regulations, and more are available on our wild turkey website.

Remember: Shot shell ammunition was in short supply last year and supply chain shortages have continued into 2022. Buy your ammo early to avoid delays or prepare to use archery equipment for the spring season.

Reserved spring turkey hunt applications opening soon

Hunters can apply for reserved spring turkey hunts from Feb. 14 through March 14. Hunters may apply for only one listed hunting opportunity. Applications must be filled out online, and no late entries will be accepted. If applying for a hunt, you must possess a hunting license that is valid for the hunt for which you are applying.

Hunters interested in participating in the special reserve hunt draws on Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge and Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge can apply through Indiana’s reserved hunt system.

2022-23 hunting seasons dates available

The 2022-2023 hunting seasons are now posted. 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 2021-22 hunting and fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2022.

Join in Marsh Madness, Feb. 26

Love watching birds? Join us at Marsh Madness, a community-based birdwatching festival held in Linton. The event celebrates the migration of sandhill cranes and waterfowl at Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA). Marsh Madness is led by the Friends of Goose Pond through a partnership with the Division of Fish & Wildlife.

Shedding light on deer season

An antler shed in the snow

Many take a break from the woods after the end of deer season. But for others, late winter presents a great opportunity to scout for next season or hunt for treasure. You can do both through shed hunting. During winter, bucks lose their antlers—once an antler falls off, it’s called a “shed.” Finding these sheds can teach you where bucks are spending time during the late season and can often reveal their core area. As an added bonus, these sheds can be collected and displayed as decorations, or they can be used in arts and craft projects. To increase your chance of finding sheds, focus on areas where deer tend to congregate. Search common late-season food sources like red oak groves, stands of young trees that deer like to browse, and the edges of crop fields. Bedding areas, typically areas with dense, brushy vegetation or fields with tall grass, are also great spots. Walking along trails between these locations can also yield sheds. Have some fun shed hunting this winter and you’ll be better prepared for deer season in the fall!

Nesting season for Canada geese begins soon

Canada geese begin scouting for nesting areas this month. If you want to keep geese off your property, now is the time to start preparing. Geese prefer to nest near bodies of water surrounded by short, mowed grass and often return to where they have had previous nesting success. Well-kept lawns provide geese with food and a clear line of sight to see predators. Using harassment techniques, installing fencing, and stopping supplemental feeding can help to prevent unwanted nesting on your property.

Efforts to deter Canada geese are not effective if supplemental foods such as bread or birdseed are provided.

People with binoculars and spotting scopes on a snow covered platform

Celebrate and conserve birds anywhere, even at home

The 25th annual Great Backyard Bird Count runs from Friday, Feb. 18 through Monday, Feb. 21 this year. Whether you’re watching birds through your patio door with a hot chocolate in hand or searching for sandhill cranes on a snowy day at Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area, you can celebrate and help conserve birds. For this free and easy event, count birds wherever you spot them. Millions of birds begin their journey north to the breeding grounds during February, including waterfowl, cranes, and eagles. Public lands, including Fish & Wildlife areas, are excellent places to enjoy the spectacle of bird migration. You can read more and sign up for Great Backyard Bird Count online.

American badger photo courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Remember wildlife on your state 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.

The fund turns 40 this year! Follow along our StoryMap to learn more about the fund’s accomplishments made possible through partners, donors, and volunteers. Remember to sign up for Nongame Wildlife Fund News for ongoing news about our projects.

Donations to the Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund help DNR obtain additional federal funding through match. Find out how to donate on your Indiana state taxes by watching this video. If you make a $50 contribution, wildlife will receive $143.

Wild Bulletin: The inside scoop on what's outside * February 2022

Wild Bulletin: The inside scoop on what's outside * February 2022

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