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(Provided by Indiana DNR)
Northeast Indiana’s cooler and wetter weather this summer may be good for corn and soybeans, but DNR officials say the conditions are stifling aquatic plant growth in area lakes and may be harming fish.
The cooler, wetter weather delayed aquatic plant growth, and the increased rain meant more sediment washed into the lakes, thereby blocking sunlight such plants need from penetrating the water.
The result could lead to fewer and smaller weed control permits the DNR issues on some lakes next year.
“We’ve seen significant declines in water clarity and the abundance of aquatic plants in several lakes this year,” said Jed Pearson, DNR fisheries biologist. “As a result, habitat conditions for fish are not as good as they should be.”
Aquatic plants provide cover for many fish species. They also support aquatic insects that fish eat. But more important, aquatic plants tie up nutrients that otherwise go into producing plankton algae blooms.
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(Provided by Indiana DNR)
Indiana’s regular-season waterfowl dates, as proposed to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) by the DNR, are listed below.
The dates are not final until approved by the USFWS in mid- to late September. A future announcement will either confirm or amend these dates. Historically, they have been accepted as proposed.
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The public can learn about trapping at a clinic on Saturday, Sept. 21, at Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area.
The clinic runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT. Lunch will be available for a nominal fee.
The event is sponsored by Fur Takers, the Indiana State Trappers Association and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. DNR Law Enforcement will present an abbreviated course from the Trapper Education program.
Experienced trappers will teach trapping techniques, setting traps on land and in water, skinning, fur handling and preparation, and trapping ethics. Jasper-Pulaski property manager Jim Bergens will discuss trapping on state properties, and a conservation officer will discuss trapping laws.
Advance registration is appreciated. To register, call (219) 843-4841.
Jasper-Pulaski FWA is 4 miles north of Medaryville.
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The 2013 early migratory bird season dates have been submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by the Indiana DNR as listed below.
As in other years, these dates are not final until the USFWS approves them, which typically happens by the end of August.
The DNR is also requesting changes to bag and possession limits. Under the request, migratory bird possession limits would increase from twice the daily bag limit to three-times the daily bag limit. The DNR has also asked to increase the daily bag limit for the September teal season from four to six.
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Want to know when the hunting seasons are, how much licenses cost, what opportunities there are for young hunters, or even where to go hunting in Indiana?
All of those answers and more can be found in the Indiana Hunting & Trapping Regulations Guide for 2013-14 that was released this week.
The 48-page guide, featuring three strutting wild turkeys on the cover, is available at businesses that sell DNR hunting licenses, DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife properties, and the DNR Customer Service Center in Indianapolis.