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IDNR Report

The Indiana DNR has recently stocked more than 9,000 surplus rainbow trout, thanks to a strong production season at Curtis Creek Trout Rearing Station.

The surplus trout range from 6 to 8 inches long. Fish were stocked in northern Indiana at Pinhook Lagoon, St. Joseph County - 1,600 fish; Martin Lake, Lagrange County - 435 fish; and Oliver Lake, Lagrange County - 1,484 fish.

Anglers 18 and older must have a valid Indiana fishing license and trout stamp. Each can be purchased at on.IN.gov/INhuntfish. The catch limit per angler is five trout.

DNRís trout stocking program offers an exciting and safe way for families and anglers to experience the fun of fishing.†Find out more about upcoming stockings at wildlife.IN.gov/5457.htm.Learn more about Curtis Creek Trout Rearing Station at wildlife.IN.gov/5461.htm.To view all DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.


A surplus of rainbow trout has given anglers additional trout fishing opportunities in northern Indiana.

Along with its planned stockings, the DNR will stock several additional sites for the holiday weekend. Find a list of planned stockings online at wildlife.IN.gov/5457.htm.

Sites receiving surplus trout are:

  • Pigeon River in LaGrange County below Nasby Dam and Ontario Dam
  • Fawn River in Steuben County behind Fawn River State Fish Hatchery
  • Little Elkhart River in Elkhart County at River Bend Park in Middlebury
  • Mill Creek in Fulton County at Lakeside Park in Rochester
  • Spy Run Creek in Allen County at Franke Park

Although these stream sites are the only areas to receive additional trout in May, fish from the initial releases in late April are still available in most of northern Indiana’s trout streams.

The bag limit for trout in inland waters, other than Lake Michigan and its tributaries, is five fish per day with a minimum size of 7 inches. No more than one of these can be a brown trout. In addition, brown trout taken from the Oliver Lake chain and Brookville tailwater must be at least 18 inches in length. An Indiana fishing license and a Trout/Salmon Stamp is required to fish for trout.


Indiana’s Inland Trout Season Opens SaturdayIndiana’s Inland Trout Season Opens Saturday

DNR fisheries’ staffers have been busy in recent days stocking thousands of trout in preparation for the opening of inland stream trout season.

The season opens Saturday at 6 a.m. local time. By opening day, DNR will have stocked over 23,000 rainbow trout in 17 streams in 12 different counties. To find a stocked stream near you, see the 2020 Trout Stocking Plan at wildlife.IN.gov/5457.htm.

The stocked trout come from Curtis Creek Trout Rearing Station near Howe in LaGrange County and average roughly 11 inches in length.

Trout will bite on a variety of different artificial baits such as spinners and flies, but natural baits such as worms and bee moths tend to be the most popular. The bag limit for trout in inland waters, other than Lake Michigan and its tributaries, is five fish per day with a minimum size of 7 inches. No more than one of these can be a brown trout.

Any brown trout kept from the Whitewater River must be at least 18 inches in length.

Anglers 18 years and older will need an Indiana fishing license and a Trout/Salmon Stamp to fish for trout. Per Indiana Executive Order, 2019-20 annual licenses and stamps, including fishing licenses and Trout/Salmon Stamp Privileges, are valid until May 22, 2020.

Hoosiers should follow posted restrictions and practice social distancing while outdoors. For the most up-to-date information regarding DNR and COVID-19, visit on.IN.gov/dnrcovid19.


Indiana waters of the St. Joseph River are full of steelhead.

During April alone - through last Thursday – 3,921 steelhead were counted passing through the South Bend Ladder, bringing the total since Jan. 1 to 10,589. That ranks second highest all-time spring run with two more weeks to go. If another 1,200 steelhead move up – which is quite possible – it will set an Indiana record.


IDNR Report

Anglers and other interested parties can participate in two DNR public meetings, Jan. 30 and Feb. 1, to discuss the interim Lake Michigan fish stocking plan and provide input on future stocking plans.

Announced in October 2019, changes to the current plan included stocking more yearling coho salmon, fewer fall fingerling coho salmon, reductions in Skamania steelhead stocked in the Little Calumet River, and increases in Chinook salmon stocked.

The first meeting will start at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, at Red Mill County Park, 0185 South Holmesville Road in LaPorte. The second meeting will start at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Indiana Harbor Yacht Club, 3301 Aldis Avenue in East Chicago.