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By Louie Stout
Bill LaVigne holds up a 21-inch walleye he caught from Hurshtown Reservoir.
Bill LaVigne holds up a 21-inch walleye he caught from Hurshtown Reservoir.
If you like catching good numbers of smallmouth and walleye, Hurshtown Reservoir could be the place to go.
The clear, 260-acre impoundment near Grabil, Ind. lies about six miles northeast of Fort Wayne. It’s managed by the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation department and serves as an emergency water supply for Ft. Wayne.
The lake has special regulations worth noting. Boat power is limited to electric motors although you can use a boat that has an outboard; you just can run it. The gates don’t open until 7:30 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. There is a $4 launch fee and the lake is only open to anglers from May into October.
Also, no launching is allowed when the wind is blowing 15 mph or more, and yes, the lake is susceptible to wind. It would be wise to call the office (260-627-3390) before making the drive.
Despite the special rules, Fort Wayne angler Bill LaVigne can’t say enough good things about the fishery. He targets walleyes but catches smallmouth as well.
“My buddy Gary LaRue and I made seven trips there this year and we’ve caught 36 smallmouth and 83 walleyes,” he said. “Most of those walleyes were 2 year olds but we had eight over 16 inches and two that were 20 inches. The lake had a heckuva walleye spawn a couple of years ago.”
The bass fishing may be even better.
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IDNR Report
The emergency order restricting motorized watercraft to idle speed on the West Lakes Chain in Noble County has been rescinded.
Normal boating operations may resume. The West Lakes Chain consists of Jones, Steinberger, Tamarack and Waldron lakes.
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IDNR Report
Mark Reiter
Mark Reiter, director of DNR's Division of Fish & Wildlife, has retired after 39 years of service.
Reiter started as a biologist aide in 1977. He quickly rose through the ranks as a laborer, property manager, staff specialist, and eventually wildlife chief. After leaving the division for three years to work for the National Rifle Association, he returned as a wildlife staff specialist and public lands program manager before becoming director of Fish & Wildlife in 2009.
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IDNR Report
Christopher Brackett, 41, former host of the Outdoor Channel hunting show "Fear No Evil," has pled guilty in federal court to unlawful transportation of wildlife, in violation of the Lacey Act.
Brackett, of East Peoria, Ill., admitted to killing two bucks within minutes of each other in Indiana in December 2013 while filming an episode for his show.
Indiana law only allowed hunters to kill one buck per season. Brackett also admitted to transporting the larger buck, which he nicknamed "Unicorn Buck," across state lines to his home in Illinois.
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IDNR Report
The emergency order restricting motorized watercraft operation on the Indian Lakes Chain in LaGrange County has been rescinded.
Normal boating operations may resume. The Indian Lakes Chain consists of Dallas, Witmer, Hackenberg, Westler, and Messick lakes.
The emergency order prohibiting the operation of all motorized watercraft for the West Lakes Chain, which consists of Waldron, Steinbarger, Tamarack, and Jones lakes in Noble County, will continue. This is due to concern regarding high-water levels.
To stay updated on Indiana boating advisories, see: dnr.IN.gov/lawenfor/8520.htm