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(Provided by Indiana DNR)
Wisconsin and Indiana fisheries biologists worked together earlier this month to save Indianaís plan for stocking Chinook salmon in Lake Michigan in 2016.
Indiana normally receives Chinook eggs each year from Michigan, but record-low numbers of fish returning to streams from Lake Michigan to spawn left Michigan unable to spare eggs for Indiana.
On short notice, the Wisconsin DNR offered to let Indiana use the Root River Steelhead Facility in Racine, Wisconsin, as a backup source for Chinook salmon eggs.
On Oct. 10, Indiana DNR biologists and hatchery staff worked alongside Wisconsin DNR staff to spawn more than 100 pairs of Chinooks. Approximately 539,000 viable eggs are now resting in incubation trays at Mixsawbah State Fish Hatchery near Walkerton. That is likely more than enough to meet the 2016 production goal of 200,000 fingerlings.
Had the Indiana DNR not taken advantage of Wisconsin DNR's offer, no Chinooks would be stocked in Indiana waters in 2016.
The Chinooks will be given a coded wire tag in March 2016, and stocked in late April 2016. These tagged fish will be identified by having a missing adipose fin, and be the fifth-year class of Chinook salmon marked under the lake-wide federal Great Lakes Mass Marking Program.
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(Provided by Indiana DNR)
The Indiana DNR is looking for volunteers for a new study called "Snapshot IN" that will use trail cameras to gather information on Indiana wildlife.
Volunteers must have at least 10 acres and be willing to set up a trail camera provided by the DNR on their property this fall. The DNR hopes to find between 20 and 100 volunteers, according to wildlife biologist Shawn Rossler.
"Gathering accurate data on the distribution and relative abundance of wildlife species statewide can be extremely challenging for biologists," Rossler said. "Working with citizen scientists, the DNR hopes to understand how animals are using various land types in Indiana."
Snapshot IN will run during October and November, when many wildlife species are active.
The DNR will provide each landowner with the same camera model, with the same settings.
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(Provided by Indiana DNR)
Hunters this fall can check their game online through the CheckIN Game system, at an on-site check station or by phone.
The online CheckIN Game system at checkINgame.dnr.IN.gov can be used with any Internet-connected device. The website includes instructions on how to use the system. Users also can locate their customer ID and print temporary transportation tags.
The phone-in option, at 1-800-419-1326, carries a $3 fee (Visa or Mastercard only).
Even at the on-site check stations, station managers now will enter information online through the CheckIN Game System. Stations will no longer be using paper log books or issuing metal tags.
A listing of on-site check stations is at dnr.IN.gov/fishwild/6271.htm .
A misprint in the 2015-16 hunting guide incorrectly lists the phone number for CheckIN Game. The correct number is: 1-800-419-1326.
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The Indiana Natural Resources Commission has given final approval to rule changes that govern commercial fishing and sport fishing for catfish.
The new rules raise the minimum size from 10 to 13 inches for catfish caught in rivers and streams, including the Ohio River, and limit the number of large catfish caught in lakes, reservoirs, streams and rivers (including the Ohio River) to no more than one each per day of channel catfish at least 28 inches long, blue catfish at least 35 inches long, and flathead catfish at least 35 inches long.
The DNR proposed the changes in order to increase survival of younger catfish and ensure continued large or ìtrophyî catfish opportunities for both sport and commercial fishing. Larger catfish also have higher reproductive potential and can help control populations of forage species such as gizzard shad and Asian carp.
The Commission granted preliminary approval to the rule changes in November, after which a public comment period including one public hearing. The rule changes will not be in effect until approved by the Attorney Generalís Office and Governor's Office and published in the Indiana Register.
- Details
(Provided by Indiana DNR)
The phone number for deer and turkey hunters to report their harvested animals is wrong in the printed version of the 2015-16 Indiana DNR Hunting & Trapping Regulations booklet.
The correct number is 800-419-1326.
That number appears on page 12 of the booklet but is incorrect on pages 26 and 38.
Hunters are required to register their harvested deer or turkey within 48 hours either online through the DNR's CheckIN Game system (www.CheckINGame.dnr.IN.gov) or at a check station or by calling 800-419-1326.
The DNR regrets the error and apologizes for any inconvenience it may have caused.