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IDNR Report
Governor Mike Braun and the Indiana DNR announced organizations in 17 Indiana counties will receive $1,484,960 in grants to fund 48 lake and stream projects through the Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program.
“Indiana’s lakes and streams are vital natural resources, supporting strong communities, wildlife habitat, and recreation,” said Governor Mike Braun.
“Thanks to support from those getting out and enjoying Indiana’s scenic waterways, we’re proud to make sure that our Hoosier lakes and streams are well maintained for continued enjoyment now and for future generations.”
Grants totaling $1,040,900 will support 15 sediment and logjam removal projects in 11 counties, which are Benton, Daviess, Hamilton, Johnson, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Marshall, Noble, Steuben, Sullivan, and Vanderburgh counties. Another $444,060 will be used to support projects combating aquatic invasive plants in 33 waterbodies across 11 counties, which are Fulton, Gibson, Kosciusko, LaGrange, LaPorte, Marshall, Noble, Porter, Starke, Steuben, and White.
The grants are funded through the LARE fee paid annually by boat owners when they register their crafts with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
This user-funded program benefits boaters all over the state by allowing for the completion of lake and stream projects that would be difficult for local organizations to fund on their own. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, and local sponsors share at least 20% of the cost. Funded projects for the planning and removal of sediment and logjams help improve recreational access by removing nutrient-rich sediment and woody debris near inlets or navigational channels, helping prevent bank erosion and the formation of new channels. These types of projects receive the highest priority for LARE funding, and they are only funded for projects focused on large-quantity debris removal. Aquatic invasive plant control grants help control or manage aggressive non-native species that can outcompete native species and dominate plant communities. The grants can also provide economic benefits to lake communities by improving lake conditions for those who fish or boat.
A list of grant recipients and sediment and logjam removal projects by body of water, county, project type and grant award can be found at lare.dnr.IN.gov and clicking on project awards at the top of the page. Reports on all past LARE-funded projects can be found at larereports.dnr.IN.gov.
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IDNR Report
The Indiana DNR has established a new permanent rule that became effective in December 2025 (312 IAC 9-10-28) creating an invasive carp harvest permit.
This new permit opens new avenues for large-scale removal of invasive carp, fosters economic opportunities, and protects native fish populations and recreational users.
Invasive carp species, including silver, grass, and black carp, have become a significant issue across the Midwest negatively impacting native fish populations and recreational activities like boating and fishing.
The new permit is free to encourage commercial fishing interest in removing these fish from public waters and help protect native ecosystems. Permit holders may use gill nets and seines in approved locations, gear types that are otherwise unauthorized for commercial fishing. Anglers must submit a fishing request before harvest specifying the date, location of their fishing, and gear to be used.
All native fish (bycatch) must be immediately released upon capture, and all gear must be attended at all times; no overnight sets are allowed.
Detailed reports of harvested pounds along with bycatch must be submitted to DNR within seven days of fishing.
Harvested invasive carp must not be transported live and are required to be packed on ice or dry when moved to a market or processor.
Interested individuals can find additional information by visiting wildlife.IN.gov/licenses-andpermits/permits-commercial-licenses or by emailing CarpHarvestPermit@dnr.IN.gov
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IDNR Report
The Indiana DNR) closed the river otter season on March 11 after the statewide quota of 750 river otters was reached by licensed trappers. The season was scheduled to run from Nov. 15 – March 15 or until the quota was reached.
The framework of Indiana's river otter season was carefully designed to limit the total harvest and support the river otter population. Databases and reporting allow regular monitoring of the total season harvest. By rule, when total harvest levels reach the statewide quota, the season closes automatically.
“We saw increased interest in regulated trapping this year, and licensed trappers who were able to enjoy Indiana’s wonderful landscapes had a successful river otter season,” said Geriann Albers, DNR’s furbearer and gamebird program leader. “Indiana’s systems and regulations allow us to strike an excellent balance between providing trapping opportunities and ensuring our river otters continue to thrive in Indiana.”
Additional information on river otters and the trapping season can be found at: on.IN.gov/ottertrapping.
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IDNR Report
Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a fatal hunting incident that occurred Saturday night in Fulton County.
Just before 10:30 p.m., emergency personnel responded to a reported hunting incident near County Road 500 West, just south of State Road 110.
The preliminary investigation reveals that individuals were raccoon hunting when one hunter attempted a shot at a raccoon climbing a tree. The fired round ricocheted off the tree striking Andrew Boots, 31, of North Judson in the abdomen as he was positioned nearby.
Boots was transported to South Bend Memorial Hospital for treatment but later succumbed to his injuries.
The incident remains under active investigation.
Additional agencies assisting on scene were the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, Aubbeenaubbee Fire Department, and Parkview Emergency Medical Services.
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By Louie Stout
While the St. Joseph and Tippecanoe Rivers get a lot of attention from anglers, The Kankakee River remains a sleeper.
The Kankakee begins about five miles from South Bend and flows to the Illinois State Line. Once considered a mecca for sportsmen, the river was channelized and adjacent wetlands were drained years ago to accommodate farmland.
Even so, an Indiana DNR Fisheries Division survey last summer revealed the system has a fishable population of bluegill, smallmouth and largemouth bass and some northern pike.
“It’s a healthy river with a good sport fishing community with good sizes,” says District Fisheries Manager Courtney Weldon. “Bigger fish might be harder to find, but overall, it looks like a relatively healthy fish community.”
Her crew was there last July and sampled fish from LaPorte County to the state line. They collected 55 species of fish with bluegills, shiners and suckers being the most plentiful.
“Compared to the last survey we did there (2004), we saw a general increase in sport fish, a little better habitat and no decline in diversity,” Weldon adds.
Bass sizes ranged from 2 to 19 ½ inches, with most of the quality bass on the west side of Indiana.
“We also saw some bigger gamefish around Rt. 6 near Walkerton,” she says. “The habitat is much better there.”
Bluegill averaged 6 to 7 inches in better areas. They collected 17 pike during the month-long survey with the largest measuring 33 inches.
The Kankakee has several public access and boat launches, including on DNR Fish and Wildlife Areas located along the river.