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IDNR Report
An investigation is underway in Dyer after a search warrant executed this morning led to the charges of multiple fish and wildlife criminal violations.
The investigation also found 23 dogs and five cats in poor conditions. The animals were removed by Lake County Animal Control, the Hobart Humane Society, and Humane Indiana.
As a result of the investigation, Cody Rowe, 28, of Dyer, was arrested and booked into the Lake County Jail.
Rowe is preliminarily being charged with –
- 31 counts of illegal possession and taking of whitetail deer,
- 23 counts of neglect of animals.
- Three counts of removing Eastern Box Turtles from the wild,
- One count of possession of an undersized snapping turtle,
- One count of failure to purchase a hunting license,
- One count of illegal possession of bobcat (tail),
- One count of hunting deer with the aid of bait,
- One count of false informing, and
- One count of hindering a Conservation Officer
The investigation is ongoing.
Agencies assisting Indiana Conservation Officers include the Lake County Sheriff’s Department Swat Team, Lake County Animal Control, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit, the Hobart Humane Society, and Humane Indiana, located in Munster.
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IDNR Report
The Indiana DNR will stock 157 locations with approximately 51,000 catfish this fall to expand angling opportunities across the state.
All stocked channel catfish will be stocked in publicly accessible waters after being raised by state biologists at Cikana Fish Hatchery in Morgan County, Driftwood Fish Hatchery in Jackson County, and East Fork Fish Hatchery in Daviess County. All stocking locations should receive catfish by early November, with quantities subject to change due to production variables.
These catfish range in size from 8-10 inches long.
“Once stocked, they acclimate to their new environment quickly, they shouldn’t take long to start biting,” said fisheries biologist Dave Kittaka.
Anglers are required to follow bag and size restrictions. In most lakes and reservoirs, the statewide regulation is 10 channel catfish per day with no more than one being longer than 28 inches. A few lakes have a different bag limit, and they are listed in the Fishing Guide, as well as at eregulations.com/indiana/fishing/basic-fishing-information under Special Regulations Waters.
All channel catfish stocking locations and estimated numbers are listed, subject to change, at on.IN.gov/fish-stocking.
To view all fishing regulations, check out our fishing guide at: on.IN.gov/fishingguide.
To learn more about catfishing, check out: dnr.IN.gov/fish-and-wildlife/fishing/catfish-fishing.
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IDNR Report
The Indiana DNR Division of Law Enforcement held graduation ceremonies today at the Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis. Twenty-three new Indiana Conservation Officers officially joined the division during the event.
Conservation Officer Matt Tholen, the 2023 James D. Pitzer Officer of the Year, administered the oath of office to the recruits, who will fill positions in various locations around the state.
The new officers represent the 41st recruit class of conservation officers, making them members of the oldest state law enforcement agency in Indiana.
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IDNR Public access to Hudson Lake in LaPorte County may be disrupted from now through the end of the year due to a dredging project aimed at improving boating access. The work is funded by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Lake and River Enhancement Program (LARE) and the Hudson Lake Conservation Association. During the project, sediment will be hydraulically pumped from the access channel and a navigation channel between the lake’s east and west basins to an upland area on the northwest end of the lake. This may result in temporary blockage or restrictions near these sites because of dredging equipment or piping being on the lake. which is anticipated by Dec. 31. More information on the LARE program and its current projects is at lare.dnr.IN.gov. More information on public access sites is at on.IN.gov/adopt-a-ramp.
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IDNR Report Indiana Conservation Officers encourage Hoosiers to help the DNR put an end to poaching by reporting potential violations to Turn In a Poacher, Inc. (TIP). TIP is a nonprofit conservation organization that partners with DNR to protect fish and wildlife resources by increasing public support and involvement in bringing violators to justice. A poacher is a thief who illegally steals wildlife that belongs to all Hoosiers. DNR manages wildlife for everyone, and every person can help TIP support DNR efforts by reporting potential violations at 1-800-TIP-IDNR (800-847-4367) or tip.IN.gov. Doing so will help conserve wildlife for future generations. Call TIP if you see, hear, or learn about poaching or another violation regarding fish and wildlife. If your “TIP” leads to an arrest, you may receive as much as a $500 reward, or you can remain anonymous if you choose. In 2023, TIP received nearly 900 tips and paid thousands of dollars in rewards for tips that have led to the arrest of a suspect. “Concerned and vigilant citizens are the key reason why the Indiana TIP program has been successful in fighting against poaching and bringing those who violate fish and wildlife laws to justice,” said Col. Steve Hunter, director of DNR Law Enforcement. “Poaching affects us all.”