A hatchling state-endangered Blanding’s turtle makes its way towards a wetland.
Give back to Indiana’s wildlife this tax season
You can help Indiana’s warblers, bats, salamanders, and other wildlife by donating to the Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund when you file your 2020 state taxes. “Nongame” means species that are not hunted, trapped, or fished. The Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund supports more than 150 Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Funds have been used to recover species like the bald eagle, which was removed from Indiana’s endangered species list last fall.
Donate all or a portion of your state tax refund to the Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund by marking the appropriate boxes on your 2020 Indiana tax forms or when filing electronically. Watch a video on how to fill out the form. To donate, fill out Line 1 of Schedule 5/Schedule IN-DONATE form with “Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund”, enter the three-digit code “200”, and then enter donation amount on Line 17 of the main IT-40 form.
Interested in learning more about Indiana’s most imperiled species and the work DNR is doing to save them? Consider subscribing to Nongame Wildlife Fund News.
Check for zebra mussels in Marimo moss balls
Zebra mussels have recently been found in Marimo moss balls, a product sold at many aquarium and pet supply stores. Zebra mussels are an invasive species, meaning that they are not native to Indiana and have the potential to cause harm to Indiana’s aquatic environment. Because of this, zebra mussels are illegal to possess. They are identifiable by the light and dark stripes on their shells that resemble those of a zebra.
These mussels may be very small and easily overlooked. If you observe zebra mussels on moss balls, be sure to destroy the moss balls, dispose of them, and drain your aquarium. For instructions on how to destroy and dispose of the balls, see U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s guidance.
If you find zebra mussels on moss balls from suppliers other than PetSmart or Petco, please contact AIS@dnr.IN.gov and provide: the source of the moss ball, the approximate date of purchase, and photographs of zebra mussels on the plant material. For more information on zebra mussels or other aquatic invasive species, view our webpage.
Renew your license and enjoy the outdoors
Remember, 2020-21 hunting and fishing licenses expire March 31. You can purchase your annual hunting or fishing licenses for 2021-22 now. Spending time outdoors is the perfect way to connect with others and nature. Time outdoors also improves your health and happiness. Beat cabin fever while making memories enjoying one of your favorite outdoor hobbies.
Warmer temperatures kick off crappie craze
Chilly shallows are beginning to warm thanks to higher temperatures and more daylight hours. Take advantage of the warmer weather by targeting crappie as they move into shallower water. Use crappie jigs or live bait such as minnows, and focus your efforts around areas with sunken logs, standing timber, brush piles, weedy edges, or docks. Smaller bodies of water in the southern part of the state will warm up faster. Find great locations on our Where to Fish Map. You can also find the best crappie fishing locations listed on our crappie fishing website.
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Spring spawning begins for sauger and walleye
Anglers can find plenty of opportunities to catch sauger and walleye during late winter and early spring migrations along the upper stretches of the Tippecanoe River. Shoreline anglers can target walleye in Elkhart Dam’s tailwaters on the St. Joseph River and the area below the Oakdale Dam on the Tippecanoe River. Walleye numbers will continue to build until spawning in late March and early April. Leadhead jigs with white or chartreuse soft plastics are popular baits; be sure to bring plenty, as the rocky bottom will claim its share. Anglers also enjoy fishing the Brookville tailwater just below the spillway for walleye in the early spring using ½ ounce silver or nickel blade baits. Walleye fishing on Brookville Lake will start to warm up when April approaches. Find other great walleye fishing locations online.
Indiana’s portion of the Ohio River provides abundant angling opportunities, especially for sauger. During early spring in March and April, adult sauger run upstream to spawn, congregating below locks and dams. This congregating allows anglers to focus their efforts below these structures. Vertical jigging and slow retrieval of crankbaits, soft plastics, and live bait are sure-fire ways to have a good day on the water. Remember, new sauger and walleye regulations were implemented in January 2020.
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Fish Lake Michigan’s shores and streams this spring
Throughout March and April, large numbers of steelhead trout must swim by the pier heads on their upstream migration to spawn in Trail Creek, the Little Calumet River, and Salt Creek. Steelhead can be caught using spawn bags (trout or salmon eggs in mesh bags), jigs with waxworms, nightcrawlers, or lures like spinners. If you’re fishing using live bait, make sure to dangle offerings near the bottom and follow all hook restrictions.
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Ample shoreline fishing opportunities become available as ice leaves Lake Michigan, revealing whitefish, steelhead trout, Coho salmon, and brown trout eager to bite. Extending into early April, Michigan City’s pier and harbor, the pier at Burns Waterway in Portage, the harbor at East Chicago, and the public access site at the Port of Indiana provide opportunities to create memorable family fishing experiences. Find these locations on our Where to Fish Map.
Sign up for youth turkey hunts, March 15-26
Youth hunters may apply for reserved turkey hunts during the special youth wild turkey hunting season on DNR properties from March 15-26. Hunts will occur on April 17-18. Youth hunters who are under age 18 on the day of the hunt are eligible. A limit will be placed on the number of youth hunters allowed to hunt a respective property on each hunting day in order to improve the quality of hunts for participants.
Find a list of participating DNR properties on our website.
Hunting seasons ending in March
March 1 - crow March 15 - coyote, striped skunk March 31 - game turtles, light geese
Trapping season for coyote, striped skunk, and beaver ends March 15.
View hunting seasons for the rest of 2021 and into 2022 here.
Apply for funding through CHAP by March 31
Communities interested in applying for funding through DNR’s Community Hunting Access Program (CHAP) can apply through March 31. CHAP is designed to increase hunting opportunities for white-tailed deer in communities and to help alleviate human/deer conflicts. The program provides participating organizations with financial and technical assistance to administer hunting programs in their communities.
Keep wildlife wild this spring
It’s nearly spring and baby animals are beginning to be born across the Hoosier state. If you find young wildlife, remember:
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Adult animals rarely abandon their young. The parent may be out searching for food. Leaving young unattended is normal for many species.
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Do not hover to see if a parent comes back. Give the baby animal space and only check back periodically. Adult animals will not return if a person is standing nearby.
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Young wildlife should not be handled. They can carry diseases or parasites and are capable of inflicting damage by biting or scratching. Human scent can also alert predators to the young animal’s presence.
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While rescuing young wildlife is legal, keeping them is not. Truly orphaned or injured wild animals must be given to a permitted wildlife rehabilitator within 24 hours to maximize their chance of survival.
Rabbit nest photo courtesy of Shelly Johnson.
Manage conflict with Canada geese
Most Canada goose conflicts occur during the nesting season from March to June when they defend their nests. If a goose is expressing aggressive behavior (head pumping, hissing, honking, or flapping its wings), calmly leave the area while giving the bird and its nest space.
Managing Canada goose eggs and nests can limit the number of Canada geese produced after nesting. If a Canada goose nest does not have eggs or birds in it, it can be destroyed at any time without a federal permit. Once eggs have been laid, you must first register with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service here before taking action.
Remember, efforts to deter Canada geese will not be effective if supplemental foods such as bread or birdseed are provided. Habitat changes should be implemented prior to goose arrival to prevent future conflicts.
Tree and shrub corridors help wildlife
One of the greatest threats to wildlife populations is habitat fragmentation. Habitat fragmentation occurs when larger areas of habitat are broken into smaller areas that are isolated from others. A strip of native trees, shrubs, or other vegetation can combat habitat fragmentation by connecting two areas of wildlife habitat, creating a corridor. Corridors increase wildlife survival by increasing food sources, providing cover, decreasing predation, and connecting isolated wildlife populations. Corridors should be at least 50 feet wide. Shrubs such as hazelnut, gray or silky dogwood, elderberry, and sumac provide both food and cover for a wide variety of wildlife species such as rabbits, deer, wild turkey, songbirds, and box turtles.
Now is a great time to plant native trees and shrubs. The DNR Division of Forestry operates two tree nurseries that offer low-cost trees and shrubs. Technical assistance for Indiana landowners is also available; contact your district wildlife biologist.
Barn owl nesting season has begun
Although barn owls can nest during any month of the year, most eggs are laid in March and April. Indiana DNR maintains a live nest webcam stream year-round in one of our barn owl nest boxes. Last year’s resident pair laid eggs in February and fledged one owlet in May. Watch the live nest webcam to see when the first egg is laid over the next few weeks.
Barn owls are a state endangered species in Indiana and supported by the Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund.
Congratulations to our 2021 award winners
The Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife recently awarded its top-performing employees for their contributions to conservation, mentoring, and teamwork. The 2021 winners this year were:
Jeff Thompson – Fish & Wildlife Mentor Award
In Jeff’s long tenure as a district wildlife biologist, he has mentored many staff over the years, providing them with the practical training needed to manage Indiana’s wildlife. Thompson’s mentoring efforts carry forward a tradition of conservation excellence.
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Anna Smithey – Fish & Wildlife Conservation Cornerstone Award
Anna earned the Conservation Cornerstone Award, awarded to one support staff member annually to recognize excellence in their critical role advancing the division’s programs. She has taken on many roles in her position as an office manager over the past year, supporting staff in three different offices as well as doing her regular duties at Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area. No matter how hurried or stressful a situation was, Anna always provided exceptional customer service.
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Elizabeth Middleton – Fish & Wildlife Conservation Champion
Elizabeth received the Fish & Wildlife Champion Award, given to one biologist or program manager to recognize their outstanding contributions to fish and wildlife conservation. Having been with DNR Fish & Wildlife for only two years, she has already made significant contributions as a bold ambassador for conservation. In her role as the stewardship outreach specialist, Elizabeth increased collaboration across divisions and offices within DNR, partnering with state parks, wildlife biologists, and property managers. During the height of the pandemic, Elizabeth pivoted quickly, creating virtual programming and digital content to help Hoosiers connect to Indiana’s fish and wildlife resources.
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Shrubs for Shrikes – Director’s Team of the Year Award
Last year, DNR Fish & Wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, and the Indiana Audubon Society began working with private landowners to create nesting habitat for state endangered loggerhead shrikes. Their collaborative partnership provided the funding necessary to purchase, plant, and maintain cedar trees favored by shrikes for nesting and shelter. Landowners received monetary incentives to sign state and federal contracts protecting the nesting areas for years to come. In summer 2020, shrikes born that year were seen using the planted trees for shelter. Learn more about loggerhead shrikes. Find out more about the Adopt-a-Shrike Program.
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Recent news releases
Avian cholera detected in wild waterfowl in Gibson County
Hunters spur increase in number of deer tested for CWD
Help our wildlife by donating on your state taxes
Grant applications open for Community Hunting Access Program due March 31
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