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.

DNR properties are open and have abundant fishing opportunities. For public fishing areas and access sites, see on.IN.gov/where2fish. For fishing tips and videos, visit wildlife.IN.gov/3600.htm. Some urban parks were also stocked with catchable-size channel catfish recently — see wildlife.IN.gov/7508.htm for a list of those sites. Indiana is also home to several water trails across the state that provide paddling opportunities. See on.IN.gov/watertrails for more information.

There will be a few fishing events throughout the state on Free Fishing Weekend. To learn more about these events, see dnr.IN.gov/fishfree.

This year’s final Free Fishing Day will be Sept. 26.

When fishing or doing any other activity, Hoosiers should follow posted restrictions and practice social distancing. Your fishing rod is a measure of appropriate social distance. For the most up-to-date information regarding DNR and COVID-19, visit on.IN.gov/dnrcovid19.