A match made on the water: National Fishing and Boating Week and Free Fishing Days
Celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week, June 3-11, by taking your family, friends, and neighbors on a fishing trip! Indiana residents who fish on June 3-4 don’t need a fishing license or trout/salmon stamp to fish on state waters, as these days are Free Fishing Days.
Remember that all other rules such as seasons, bag, and size limits still apply during Free Fishing Days. Explore the outdoors today!
Migratory bird hunting season dates released
Good news, hunters! The migratory bird hunting season dates and bag limits for 2023 have been released, so it’s time to plan your fall bird hunting trips. Migratory birds include ducks, teal, geese, mourning dove, sora rail, snipe, and woodcock.
Remember, non-lead ammunition is required for all waterfowl and mourning dove hunting on DNR property. Check with the specific properties for additional restrictions. For more season dates, visit our website.
Photo courtesy of Ryan Hagerty, USFWA.
Steal some time outside catching steelhead this summer
Head to Lake Michigan to fish for Skamania steelhead this June. These migrating rainbow trout are on the move in Lake Michigan and its tributaries to spawn in freshwater. Strong south winds during the heat of summer cause an upwelling of cool water and bring steelhead action close to shore.
Live bait suspended under a bobber works great for trout, as do small jigs or lures like spinnerbaits and spoons. These fish pull on the line quickly, so make sure you have a quality rod. You will also need a trout/salmon habitat stamp and a valid 2023-2024 fishing license to fish for Skamania steelhead.
You can fish for steelhead in many places. Our favorites are the mouth of Burns Ditch at Portage Lakefront Park, in Michigan City at the pier at Washington Park, and the DNR/Coast Guard Access in the inner harbor. Check DNR fishing reports online or call the Indiana DNR’s Lake Michigan Office for more information at 219-874-6824.
Recreate and report a mammal
If you’ve seen a mammal you think is notable, DNR wants to know. Our Report A Mammal form is for your voluntary observations of our mammals of interest, ranging from nocturnal animals that are difficult to observe, to Indiana’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
Be sure to submit media (pictures or short video) to help document your observation. DNR will only respond to reports if we require more information.
Bryan G. Odom, 2022 FOTY winner, holding a 36.5†Lake Trout on Lake Michigan.
Have you caught a Fish of the Year?
Share your memorable catch this summer by submitting an entry for Fish of the Year. DNR’s Fish of the Year program recognizes the largest catches of the year for each species category. If you think you’ve caught a big fish, take the next steps: measure the length of the fish, take a good-quality photo of the fish next to a measuring tape clearly showing its length, and submit the entry with a copy of your fishing license online, by mail, or by emailing recordfish@dnr.IN.gov.
Learn how to measure a fish in the 2023 Fishing Guide. Curious to see the competition? View the 2022 Fish of the Year winners.
Shedding feathers: Canada geese molting and management
In late June and early July in Indiana, Canada geese will molt to replace their damaged and lost feathers. For one month, they will be rendered flightless and select open areas near a food source and water to undergo these changes.
Whether you live in a rural area with ponds and fields or an urban area with mowed lawns and parks, be aware of common goose conflicts with humans. Visit our Canada geese management page to find out more.
2023 State Fair sneak peeks
If you want to know what’s in store for you this summer at the State Fair, look no further! We will be sharing our live fish on display inside the DNR building for the entire duration of the fair. Along with our live displays, DNR will have its Fishin’ Pond ready for children ages 5-17 on the first Friday of the fair as well as every Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Interested in learning some new information and skills? The Division of Fish & Wildlife will offer programming ranging from kayak fishing demonstrations to squirrel hunting tips and tricks.
See you there!
Spend your summer outside with DNR
Start your summer off wild. The new season officially starts June 21, arriving with the summer solstice. What better way to spend it than at a Fish & Wildlife property?
If you’re looking for a place to recreate outdoors, whether you’re hunting, fishing, or birding, we have a place for you. Head to our website to find a list of Fish & Wildlife areas near you.
Volunteers needed at the DNR State Fair Fishin’ Pond
As you plan your summer, remember to include volunteering at the DNR State Fair Fishin’ Pond. DNR is seeking volunteers to help ensure the Fishin’ Pond runs smoothly. With four different types of volunteer positions available, we have the perfect opportunity for you to mentor the next generation of anglers.
Sing with the songbirds this summer
This June, you can listen to the cheerful tweets of the rockin’ robin filling the early morning air, and cardinals, orioles, and warblers will join in with their melodies. (Pro tip: download the Merlin app, and it will identify the birds and their calls while you listen.)
If you want to welcome songbirds into your backyard, be sure to plant native Indiana plants—grasses, flowers, and shrubs. These plants will attract insects, which are a songbird’s favorite meal. Your shrubs and trees will also entice the songbirds to build in them during nesting season, and you can watch them feed their young. Remember to watch from afar, as interfering with the birds’ caretaking may harm them.
Enjoy Mother Nature’s music all summer long!
Blooming color: National Pollinator Month
During National Pollinator Month, take a minute to appreciate all of Indiana’s pollinators—not just the bees and butterflies. Ants, beetles, flies, and moths are also pollinators that help our environment thrive.
Not all pollinators see color the same way, so plants produce flowers in the spectrum their pollinators can see. Bees and wasps are attracted to white, yellow, and blue flowers, while beetles prefer white and green.
If you’re interested in seeing your garden come alive with pollinators, consider planting a pollinator garden.
You can also celebrate National Pollinator week at Kankakee Fish & Wildlife Area, which is celebrating 100 years of providing habitat for wildlife and outdoor activities for visitors. Kankakee FWA will host a Pollinator Party this summer as a part of their series of events for their 100th anniversary, and you are invited. Stay tuned for more details later this month!
#BeatPlasticPollution: 2023 World Environment Day
Celebrate World Environment Day on June 5 by engaging in efforts to protect Earth’s resources. This year’s theme focuses on solutions to plastic pollution, as plastic threatens the longevity of our planet.
Interested in making positive changes and learning more about the campaign? Visit the event’s website for more resources.
Recent news releases
2023-2024 Migratory bird hunting seasons announced
DNR seeks State Fair Fishin’ Pond volunteers |
