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By Louie Stout
The DNR’s annual muskie egg taking on Webster Lake produced good results and some interesting notes for Webster’s muskie anglers.
The DNR’s hatchery team got all the eggs they needed, but perhaps the biggest observation is the size of the fish the DNR was able to capture in their nets the first week of April.
“We caught the highest percentage we’ve ever caught of fish measuring between 40 and 46 inches,” says Indiana District Fisheries Biologist Tyler DeLauder. “It’s intriguing since we didn’t see those fish in previous years, so it could be an anomaly. We hope to see that continue into bigger fish. “
The majority of the fish captured were released alive after the egg-taking process that was conducted on the lake’s shoreline.
DeLauder went on to say that the increase could be due to a couple strong year classes, or the fish are growing better. He was seeing smaller fish, too.
“There are big ones out there, but you just have to find them,” he added. “The overall health of muskies is good.”
Interestingly, the team captured one 20-year-old female muskie that was first caught and tagged in 2010. It was 35 inches then, but this time only 40 inches. DeLauder found that baffling as the fish should have been in the upper 40s.
“Every time we’ve caught it, it’s been in the north end of the lake,” he says. “It seems to love up there, but there have been no reports of anglers catching it. “
Several Webster muskies are tagged.
Another added surprise is they captured a walleye for the second year in a row. The DNR doesn’t stock walleyes in Webster. Other fish found in the nets included a 5-pound bass and a 2 ¼-pound crappie.
The DNR set nets annually on the east and northeast side of the lake, but this year posted a net on the southwest corner and it also was productive.
If you want to learn more about the muskies that the DNR captured and other details, visit the DNR’s dashboard page for muskies at https://experience.arcgis.com.
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IDNR Report
The emergency order restricting watercraft to idle speed on Sylvan Lake has been rescinded, and normal boating operations may resume.
The emergency order restricting the operation of motorized watercraft on the Indian Lakes Chain in LaGrange County, which consists of Dallas, Witmer, Hackenberg, Westler and Messick lakes, as well as on the West Lakes Chain, which consists of Waldron, Steinbarger, Tamarack, and Jones lakes in Noble County are still in effect.
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IDNR Report
The Indiana DNR has placed boating restrictions on watercraft on the West Lakes Chain, the Indian Lakes Chain, and Sylvan Lake.
The emergency order restricts the operation of motorized watercraft on the Indian Lakes Chain in LaGrange County, which consists of Dallas, Witmer, Hackenberg, Westler and Messick lakes, as well as on the West Lakes Chain, which consists of Waldron, Steinbarger, Tamarack, and Jones lakes in Noble County. The restrictions are due to concern regarding high-water levels.
The DNR also placed an idle speed restriction on motorized watercraft on Sylvan Lake.
A boating restriction is put into effect when surface water conditions are likely to enter dwelling structures as a result of a wake.
For information on Indiana boating advisories, please visit: on.IN.gov/boatadvisory.
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St. Joe Parks Report
St. Joseph County Parks is now taking registrations for "Outdoor Adventures" summer nature camps at St. Patrick's County Park located in South Bend, Indiana.
“We offer campers a variety of activities,” says Amal Farrough, Interpretive Services Manager. “Depending upon the age group activities may include kayaking, nature games, creek/swamp stomping and other outdoor fun!”
Five camps are offered for children entering kindergarten through 8th grade.
- June 11: Escape Room: The Eradicator (ages 11-14)
- une 23-27: Splish, Splash, Splatter! (ages 5-6)
- uly 2: Outdoor Skills (ages 11 -14)
- uly 7-July 11: Who Done it? (ages 10-11)
- uly 28-August 1: Junior Indiana Master Naturalist (ages 9-12)
For more information, or to request registration materials, please call 574/654-3155, or visit www.sjcparks.org.
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IDNR Report
The Indiana Natural Resources Commission (NRC) granted final adoption to allow the limited, regulated trapping of bobcats in designated southern Indiana counties.
Bobcat Trapping Rules
In 2024, the Indiana General Assembly passed legislation (SEA 241-2024) directing the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to have rules in place for bobcat harvest by July 2025.
The approved rules include:
- Establishing a bobcat trapping season in 40 southern Indiana counties, including a limit of one bobcat per trapper and a cumulative season limit of 250 bobcats for all trappers combined.
- Allowing bobcats and their parts that are legally acquired to be sold.
- Allowing bobcats that are found dead to be kept by people with a permit.
- Adding bobcats to the list of species for which a game breeder’s license is required.
The NRC granted preliminary adoption of the rules in September 2024, and it later held two public comment periods and two public hearings.
Research maintained by the DNR and Purdue University shows that the bobcat population in Indiana has expanded during the last two decades. This research can be reviewed at on.IN.gov/dfw-rule-changes.
Bobcats have well-established populations in the 40 counties where trapping will be allowed. Analysis shows that this high-quality habitat can support regulated harvest while also maintaining a healthy, sustainable bobcat population.
After the rule’s adoption, DNR anticipates that Indiana’s first bobcat trapping season will begin this fall. A summary of all rules and regulations will be available in the annual Hunting & Trapping Guide, which is typically available in August.