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(Provided by Indiana DNR)
The DNR seeks volunteers to help gather information on recreational use at large northern Indiana lakes to learn about the spread of aquatic species.
Lakes involved in the project are Bass, Manitou, Maxinkuckee, Wawasee, Webster and Winona.
Volunteers will monitor selected boat ramps during high-use times to record boats entering or leaving the lake and if any aquatic species, such as plants, mussels or invertebrates, are attached. Volunteers will also record the type of watercraft and its home state, according to license plate.
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(Provided by Indiana DNR)
Indiana DNR wildlife biologists today confirmed the presence of a wild black bear in northern Indiana after the bear walked in from Michigan.
The DNR received reliable reports earlier in the week of the wandering bear northwest of South Bend in St. Joseph County and made the confirmation after wildlife biologist Budd Veverka examined waste material submitted to the DNR and identified it as bear scat.
ì"With black bears in some surrounding states, we were expecting a bear to show up eventually," said Mitch Marcus, Wildlife Section chief for the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife. "It's quite unusual and exciting for a Michigan lakeshore black bear to move this far south. Michigan DNR officials told us this is the southernmost black bear movement in more than a decade."
Although there have been occasional unconfirmed reports of bears in Indiana, this is the first verified presence of a bear in the state in more than 140 years.
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(Provided by Indiana DNR)
The Indiana Natural Resources Commission on Tuesday authorized certain fee changes for some DNR properties and gave final approval to a package of fish and wildlife rules after dropping three proposals in that rule package.
The NRC is an autonomous board that addresses topics pertaining to the Indiana DNR.
The proposals that were removed from the fish and wildlife package would have expanded the use of high-powered rifles for deer hunting, placed a statewide 25-fish daily bag limit on sunfish (i.e., bluegill, redear, etc.), and allowed landowners to provide oral permission instead of requiring written permission for another individual to take coyotes from the landowner's property.
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(Provided by Indiana DNR)
The Indiana DNR has released a new version of its mobile application. The redesigned app is now available for both the Apple and Android platforms.
The new app builds on the success of our previous iPhone application and adds new features, DNR director Cameron Clark said. Its meant to be a portable field guide to information people frequently use off the main DNR website. Were especially pleased that we can offer it at no cost to those who enjoy the Indiana outdoors.
In addition to an interactive map that locates DNR properties and spots for camping, hunting and fishing, it also includes the most popular information from the dnr.IN.gov website, such as fishing and hunting seasons, camping fees and property rules.
Users also can access a calendar of events at DNR properties, the latest news releases, and contact information for Indiana Conservation Officers.
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(Provided by Indiana DNR)
Owners of shallow ponds and lakes should watch for fish kills this spring.
Because ice cover measured 20 inches thick on some northern waters, Indiana fisheries biologists anticipate receiving fish kill reports once the bodies of water thaw.
Shallow, weedy ponds are susceptible to winter kills. The most common cause of fish kills in Indiana ponds is suffocation due to the lack of oxygen.
Aquatic plants can produce oxygen only when sunlight is available. While some sunlight can penetrate clear ice, snow and thick ice can often block sunlight, resulting in dangerously low oxygen levels. Then, as aquatic plants naturally die during winter, plant decomposition consumes oxygen that fish and other aquatic life need. Once a winter kill begins, little can be done to stop it.