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IDNR Report
The Indiana DNR recently learned from lab results that rabbit carcasses found on private land in Elkhart County near Middlebury tested positive for tularemia.
Tularemia is a rare bacterial disease usually transmitted through dog tick and deer fly bites or by contact with an infected animal; however, the bacteria may also be spread by contact with contaminated soil or water, and through inhalation of contaminated dusts or aerosols.
While tularemia can be transmitted to humans, the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) is not aware of any human cases of tularemia in the area at this time.
“Seeing a local die-off of rabbits during a tularemia outbreak is not unusual,” said Dr. Jennifer Brown, state public health veterinarian at IDOH. “You can prevent exposure to tularemia bacteria by wearing insect repellent and avoiding contact with sick or dead animals.”
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IDNR Report
Lab results have confirmed the presence of parasites in wild white-tailed deer found on a private property in Newton County in late February and early March.
Newton County is in northwest Indiana on the Indiana/Illinois state line. About 40 deer were found on the property, dead, soon after heavy snow melted.
According to Moriah Boggess, deer biologist for the Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife, the deer may have died days or weeks before being discovered.
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IDNR Report
The DNR is offering free admission to state parks, recreation areas, forests, and reservoirs on Sunday, May 2, which is also a Free Fishing Day.
On Free Fishing Days, all Indiana residents can fish the state’s public waters without a fishing license or trout/salmon stamp. All size and bag limits remain in effect. For public places to fish near you, see on.IN.gov/where2fish. Check out the fishing tips and videos at on.IN.gov/learn2fish to help maximize your experience.
Free admission provides a great opportunity to enjoy your favorite DNR property or visit a new site. Find DNR properties across the state and the facilities they offer at dnr.IN.gov. Planned interpretive naturalist-led activities are listed at calendar.dnr.IN.gov.
Along with fishing, DNR properties offer opportunities for hiking, bicycling, kayaking, and more. Getting active outside can support physical and mental health and provides a way to socialize safely with family and friends.
Free gate admission and this Free Fishing Day are offered in partnership with the Indiana Destination Development Corporation’s Visit Indiana Week, which is May 2-8. Register for the Indiana State Nature Passport program at visitindiana.com/explore, then check in when you visit a property to participate in a variety of giveaways during the week and throughout the year.
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IDNR Check-in Booth
A new property rule will go into effect later this summer requiring all visitors to fish & wildlife areas to sign in and get a one-day permit card before going into the field, regardless of activity. To ease into this new requirement, DNR asks that visitors sign in beginning April 1. The one-day access permit must be kept on hand while visiting the respective FWA and must be completed and returned to a self-service booth, drop box, or the office before leaving.
We appreciate your patience in taking the extra time to fill out the permit. Feedback from these cards helps staff identify ways to improve Indiana’s FWAs for all users.
All FWAs listed on the DNR website, except Wilbur Wright FWA will follow this process.
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By Louie Stout
Young Muskie Fingerling
Good news for Indiana muskie anglers – the Indiana DNR will resume collecting eggs from Webster Lake’s adult fish this year.
The project, along with walleye egg taking in southern Indiana, was canceled last year due to the pandemic, but Northern Supervisor Jeremy Price said crews will be back at work with muskie in early April.
“Barring any unexpected change in the virus, we’re good to go,” he said.
Biologists hated skipping a year last season, but say missing one year with muskies won’t be real noticeable.
“Muskies live a long time and we have documented fish in there up to 16 years old,” said Price. “And since we have been stocking every year, it shouldn’t affect the fishery to miss one year.”
The DNR will set up an on-the-water lab while it catches adult male and female muskies, collects their eggs and milt. Survivors will be released back into the lake and the fertilized eggs will be taken immediately the Fawn River Hatchery.