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IDNR Report
May 3 is the first of Indiana’s four Free Fishing Days. On Free Fishing Days, Indiana residents can fish the state’s public waters without a fishing license or trout/salmon stamp.
Fishing is an excellent way to get outside and connect as a family. It is also a great opportunity to relax and connect with the outdoors while practicing social distancing. If fishing is a new activity for your family, keep things simple – this often makes fishing more fun and safe. The best thing to do is get out there and wet a line. May is an especially good time to fish because the water is warming and the fish are biting.
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By Louie Stout
Getting from the new Hudson Lake public access located in the backwaters to the main lake can be tricky due to shallow water.
The lake is located west of New Carlisle. The public boat launch is off N. Emery Road and in the northwest corner of the backwaters. Area at the boat ramp was dredged at the time of construction last summer so water depth there is sufficient for launching boats.
The Indiana DNR plans to dredge a channel from the boat launch to the main lake but that won’t happen until after July of next year.
In the interim, the DNR has provided this map that offers a general idea of how to find your way to the main lake. The main lake isn’t shown here but is located below the bottom of the map.
Areas in green indicate heavy vegetation and even shallower water. The gray area along the west shoreline notes the best navigable water. The first of the two numbers next to the dots indicate water depth at the time the map was made, but depths could vary due to higher and lower water conditions. Nonetheless, boaters are advised to idle with outboards or even travel with electric motor through shallower areas.
The second number indicates sediment depth for the purpose of dredging later.
The DNR does plan to treat vegetation along the travel route sometime yet this spring or early summer.
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MUCC Report
Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) filed a complaint in United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan on Sunday challenging the criminal prohibition against motorboat use recently announced by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The complaint alleges Whitmer and Department of Natural Resources Director Daniel Eichinger’s application of EO 2020-42 to prohibit motorboat use is unconstitutional.
The order itself was enacted on April 9 by Whitmer and expressly allows “outdoor physical activity,” including activities similar to kayaking and canoeing. The order makes no mention of prohibiting the outdoor activity of boating. However, in response to “Frequently Asked Questions,” the Governor and DNR have opined that motorboat use is not an allowed form of “outdoor physical activity.”
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IDNR Report
DNR properties remain open for day-use outdoor recreation, including hiking, biking on paved trails, boating, fishing, birding, and geocaching. Entrance-gate admission at properties that normally charge gate admission remains temporarily waived.
New restrictions on camping and some trail uses were put in effect this week:
- Campgrounds on all DNR properties are closed through April 20.
- Bicycling on unpaved trails and all horseback riding has been suspended at all DNR properties.
- Some high impact/high adventure trails at Indiana State Parks are also now closed for safety purposes. These trail closures include most of the hiking trails at Turkey Run, Shades and Clifty Falls, and about half of the hiking trails at O'Bannon Woods.
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IDNR Report
Indiana conservation officers are offering several free Indiana hunter education courses ahead of the 2020 Spring Turkey Season, which runs April 22 through May 10. Youth Turkey Season is April 18-19.
Classes slated for Michiana include Wyatt Conservation and Coonhunters Club in Wakarusa, Ind. March 13-14; Nappanee Conservation Club, March 13-14; Elkins Taxidermy, New Carlisle, March 14-15; Topeka Fire Dept., Topeka, Ind., March 24-26; Marshall County Conservation Club, Plymouth, Ind., March 28-29.
Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1986 is required to pass a hunter education course to get a hunting license. Students are required to attend the entire course in order to take the test. There is no minimum age; however, students younger than 11 years old are required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.