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IDNR Report
The emergency orders restricting motorized watercraft to idle speed on the West Lakes chain, Knapp Lake and the Barbee and Indian lakes chain have been rescinded. Normal boating operations may resume.
The West Lakes chain, located in Noble County, consists of Jones, Steinberger, Tamarack and Waldron lakes.
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IDNR Report
Indiana residents can fish without a license both days this weekend.
The weekend kicks off National Fishing and Boating Week, which is June 6-14. The week is a national celebration that highlights the importance of recreational boating and fishing.
Non-residents, however, are required to have a license.
Fishing and boating are excellent opportunities to get outside and connect with family and friends while practicing social distancing. June is an especially good time to fish for largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish and Skamania steelhead.
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IDNR Report
The emergency order restricting the operation of motorized watercraft to idle speed has been rescinded for Oswego, Tippecanoe and James (Little Tippecanoe) Lakes, and normal boating operations may resume.
For information on Indiana boating advisories, please visit: dnr.IN.gov/lawenfor/8520.htm
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IDNR Report
DNR has placed an idle speed restriction on watercraft on the Barbee chain of lakes in Kosciusko County and the West Lakes Chain in Noble County.
The Barbee chain includes Kuhn, Big Barbee, Little Barbee, Irish, Banning, Sawmill and Sechrist lakes.
The West Lakes chain includes Jones, Steinbarger, Tamarack, and Waldron lakes.
An idle speed restriction is put into effect when surface water conditions are likely to enter dwelling structures as a result of wake.
For information on Indiana boating advisories, please visit: dnr.IN.gov/lawenfor/8520.htm
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IDNR Report
Owners of private ponds and lakes can now find more resources for managing those areas and adding aquatic structures to them on DNR’s updated website at wildlife.IN.gov/3614.htm.
Pond owners will now find information and links to content about pond construction, where to purchase fish to stock, nuisance wildlife concerns, fish kills and other common issues.
There are more than 40,000 private ponds and lakes in Indiana, many of which are stocked with fish by landowners and used for recreation. With spring weather, many are starting to think about their ponds and potential maintenance and improvements.
“The majority of questions we receive from private pond owners pertain to fish kills, advice on fish stocking, or aquatic plant management including nuisance algae,” said Corey DeBoom, DNR fisheries biologist for central Indiana. “The answers to most of the common questions can now be found on our updated pond management webpage.”
Information about constructing artificial habitat for ponds or lakes has also been added. Artificial structures can provide places for fish to hide, eat, or spawn and may help reduce impacts of fish-eating predators. Structures can be as simple as cutting and felling shoreline trees, but a variety of structure options are highlighted for pond owners to consider.
Questions from the public regarding private ponds or lakes can be answered by district fisheries biologists. Media questions regarding private pond management in specific regions can also be answered by district fisheries biologists. Contact information for your area’s biologist is at wildlife.IN.gov/3590.htm.
For general questions regarding private pond management, contact Sandy Clark-Kolaks, south region fisheries research biologist, DNR Fish & Wildlife, 812-278-8303, SClark-Kolaks@dnr.IN.gov.