By Louie Stout
The St. Joseph Valley Bassmasters announced it will not be conducting its annual youth fishing derby at Worster Lake in Potato Creek State Park.
Officials said the decision was made due to uncertainty with the corona virus.
“We hated to do it, but we felt it was the best decision given the current situation,” said club spokesman Blaine Pickavet. “We hope to resume it next year.”
The youth derby, one of the oldest in Indiana, has been held for 43 years and averaged hosting 175 youngsters a year. Winners took home bicycles, televisions, fishing gear and every kid went home with a goodie bag.
IDNR Report
Logging in to the Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) online portal to buy hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and stamps is going to look a little different.
License and stamp purchases have moved to Access Indiana, a portal that allows you to use a single login and password to access multiple services from the State of Indiana. We want to make sure you are aware of the change and that we are here to help you make this transition.
IDNR Report
Indiana DNR Launches ‘Where to Paddle’ Interactive Map
DNR’s Division of Outdoor Recreation has launched a new interactive “Where to Paddle” map that is designed to highlight Indiana’s water trails. It can be found at on.IN.gov/wheretopaddle.
“Previous river guides that were available for Indiana were outdated,” said Dale Brier, director of of Outdoor Recreation. “This new map provides Hoosier paddlers with critical and updated information about our water trails in one convenient resource.”
IDNR Report
Beginning July 6, hunters can apply for reserved hunts online by visiting on.IN.gov/reservedhunt.
The online method is the only way to apply. No late entries will be accepted. Applicants must possess a hunting license that is valid for the hunt for which they are applying.
Hunters will be selected through a random computerized drawing. Applicants will be able to view drawing results online within two weeks after application deadlines. An email will be sent to all applicants when the drawing is completed.
Applications for the following hunting opportunities open July 6 and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 17:
IDNR Report
Boaters preparing for the Independence Day holiday should be aware that Indiana Conservation Officers will be on high alert for violations of boating-under-the-influence laws as part of national Operation Dry Water.
Operation Dry Water (operationdrywater.org), a year-round program, will be in heightened effect July 3-5.
Indiana Conservation Officers, in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard, will focus on educating boaters about safe boating practices, including keeping alcohol off the boat, for both operators and passengers.