Visit DNR at the Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show
Come visit DNR at the 71st Annual Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show, Feb. 20-22 and Feb. 25 - March 1 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds! DNR’s main booth will be located in Tackle Town in the Blue Ribbon Pavilion, and State Park Inns will have an informational booth in the Travel & Tourism area of the Champions Pavilion.
At the DNR booth in Tackle Town, you’ll find a convenient one-stop shop for purchasing licenses, state park passes, lake-use permits, and Outdoor Indiana magazine subscriptions.
Throughout the show, DNR biologists and conservation officers will be available to answer questions, share resources, and provide information about Indiana’s natural resources and outdoor activities.
Also, check out the Indiana Deer, Turkey & Waterfowl Expo, Feb. 27 to March 1. You'll be able to browse the latest hunting gear, speak to outfitters, and participate in archery demonstrations in the Archery Alley.
Winter Fishing for Steelhead and Salmon
Fishing for winter steelhead and salmon is a great way to beat cabin fever and enjoy Indiana’s outdoors during the colder months. Lake Michigan and its tributaries offer excellent opportunities to target these hard-fighting fish well into winter, with multiple public access sites available to anglers of all experience levels.
For shoreline anglers, popular access points include the Michigan City Pier, Trail Creek Marina, and the Port of Indiana. Those who prefer moving water can find productive fishing on the East Branch of the Little Calumet River and Salt Creek. Public access to Salt Creek is available at Imagination Glen County Park and Haven Hollow Park, while Trail Creek also offers accessible fishing at Trail Creek Forks.
Once you’ve chosen a location, be sure to gather a variety of bait and lure options, such as nightcrawlers, spawn bags, smaller spoons, and spinners to match changing conditions. A heavier rod paired with 10- to 12-pound test line will help you handle strong winter fish and swift currents.
As always, dress in layers to stay warm, keep safety foremost in mind around cold water and icy conditions, and take your time exploring the variety of Indiana fishing access sites with DNR’s interactive Where to Fish Map.
Rabbit Hunting: A Winter Tradition Worth Trying
Looking for a way to extend your hunting season and enjoy Indiana’s outdoors this winter? Open through Feb. 28, rabbit hunting is an accessible option that continues after many other seasons have closed.
Rabbit hunting is well-suited for hunters of all experience levels and requires only an annual hunting license and minimal equipment. A 12- or 20-gauge shotgun loaded with 6- to 7 1/2-size shot is recommended. Focus on brushy field edges, fencerows, and overgrown habitats where rabbits seek cover and food.
Remember to wear your required hunter orange and dress in warm, layered clothing for changing winter conditions. Be aware of your surroundings, positively identify your target before shooting, and respect property boundaries and other outdoor users. Responsible hunting helps ensure these opportunities remain available for future generations.
For more information on rabbit hunting season dates, regulations, and bag limits, see page 34 of the Indiana Hunting & Trapping Guide or visit our regulations webpage. Ready to find a place to go? Use the Where to Hunt interactive map to discover public properties near you.
New Fish of the Year Record Set
Indiana DNR’s Fish of the Year (FOTY) program is celebrating a standout season in 2025 thanks to Steven Kellett of Linton, who set a new all‑time record with 17 winning catches. His achievement surpasses the previous record of 15 set by Liu He in 2022 and highlights both his dedication to the sport and his deep connection to Indiana’s outdoors. The Kellett family name appears repeatedly on this year’s list—not just because of Steven’s success, but also thanks to his 9‑year‑old son, Landon, who earned five FOTY wins.
Steven says fishing with Landon brings back memories of time spent on the water with his father and grandfather, and he hopes to pass on those same experiences to the next generation. He sees fishing as a way to step away from daily pressures and reconnect with nature, especially in a world increasingly shaped by screens and technology.
Among Steven’s notable catches were a 25.5‑inch channel catfish from Goose Pond FWA, a 22.25‑inch saugeye from the Whitewater River, and a 21.5‑inch brown trout from a private pond in Greene County. Landon’s top catches included a 28‑inch black buffalo and an 18.5‑inch shorthead redhorse.
Steven says the FOTY program motivates him and his son to learn species, track trends, and set new goals together. Learn more about the FOTY and Record Fish programs at on.IN.gov/recordfish.
Adopt-a-Shrike to Help an Endangered Species
Meet the loggerhead shrike we’ve named “dark green/red, silver/red.” Catchy, right?
This feisty female is unusual because she successfully raised two broods of young with two different males in Orange County last summer. Soon after her first brood of chicks fledged the nest, she left her mate in charge of caring for them while she moved to a nearby farm and nested a second time with a different male. This kind of behavior, called mate desertion, is rarely observed in shrikes. Nesting with two males in one season has benefits for a female bird, such as maximizing parental care for her young and increasing genetic diversity among her offspring.
Are you interested in “adopting” a shrike to increase habitat for this endangered species? Check out our Adopt-a-Shrike partnership with Indiana Audubon or donate to the Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund.
Canada Goose Problems? Now’s the Time to Deter Them
If you’re looking to discourage Canada geese from your property in the summer months, now is the time to start. Canada geese begin scouting for nesting areas in late February and prefer to nest near bodies of water surrounded by short, mowed grass. Well‑kept lawns provide geese with their favorite food and a clear area to nest and raise their young. Using nonlethal hazing techniques, installing fencing, and removing empty nests early can help deter geese.
Hazing uses nonlethal scare tactics to encourage geese to move on. It can be done anytime, as long as the birds are not physically harmed and local ordinances are followed. Methods include audial techniques like distress calls, visual deterrents such as coyote decoys, and physical approaches like spraying with a garden hose. Because geese are intelligent and can become used to these strategies, vary the length, time, and duration of hazing for at least two weeks, and often longer.
Fencing should be installed before nesting begins. While it won’t stop flying geese, it will deter geese that need to move goslings to and from water after hatching. Snow fencing, netting, picket fencing, and similar materials work as long as openings are less than 3 inches wide, and the height is at least 30 inches.
If geese have already started building nests, empty nests may be destroyed without a permit as long as no birds or eggs are present. Once eggs are laid, a federal permit is required.
Remember, deterrents are ineffective if supplemental foods like bread or birdseed are provided, so please do not feed wildlife!
Fly Over and Join the Madness!
Plan now to attend Marsh Madness, a community-based birding festival held at Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area in Linton, Feb. 20-21.
Led by the Friends of Goose Pond, the festival features a variety of fun activities to celebrate the migration of sandhill cranes and waterfowl. Events include a kick-off banquet, craft fair, live birds of prey on display, informational and educational presentations, bus tours, self-guided tours, activities for children, and much more.
Shed Antler Hunting: Nature's Scavenger Hunt
If you enjoy a scavenger hunt, try shed antler hunting. This seasonal pastime invites Hoosiers to explore Indiana’s landscape while searching for deer antlers that are naturally shed in late winter and early spring.
Shed hunting is open to everyone and requires no special gear, making it an easy way to get outside, explore new places, and sharpen your observation skills. Shed antlers can provide insight into deer movement and herd health, offering clues about habitat use, nutrition, and age structure.
When searching, focus on field edges, bedding areas, and travel corridors between food and cover. Help from a friend or family member can make the search more fruitful and fun!
In Indiana, no license is required to collect naturally shed antlers, but antlers still attached to a skull must be reported to DNR Law Enforcement.
Find a place to start shed hunting using our Where to Hunt Map.
2026 Light Goose Conservation Order Opens Feb. 16
Indiana’s Light Goose Conservation Order is open Feb. 16 – March 31. Legal species include snow geese and Ross’s geese.
During the conservation order, there is no daily bag limit or possession limit for light geese. Unlike during the regular waterfowl seasons, hunting may continue for ½ hour past sunset. In addition, electronic callers may be used, as well as shotguns capable of holding more than three shells.
Participants must have a valid Indiana hunting license and an Indiana waterfowl stamp. Neither a federal waterfowl stamp nor a HIP number is required to participate. In addition, participants must have a free permit.
Participants must take a brief online survey at the end of the conservation order to provide hunting and harvest data required by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
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Upcoming events
- Feb. 07: Wood Duck Box Building Volunteer Day, J.E. Roush FWA
- Feb. 11: Whooper Wednesday, Goose Pond FWA
- Feb. 18: Whooper Wednesday, Goose Pond FWA
- Feb. 25: Whooper Wednesday, Goose Pond FWA
- Mar. 31: Conserving Hoosier Amphibians with Project WET, WILD, and Learning Tree, Goosepond FWA
Recent news releases
- Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area receives grant for new 3D archery range and walking trail
- Floyd County angler catches state record longnose gar
- Natural Resources Commission to meet Jan. 20 at Fort Harrison State Park
- Linton dentist sets state fishing record
More
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- Hunting information
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- Where to Fish
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- Donate to help rare and endangered species
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 motorboat 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.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife | Copyright 2026
402 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-234-8440