Turkey Run State Park Ranked Among Top 10 Parks In The U.S.

New DNR smartphone app available

The upgraded, free smartphone app of the DNR is available now to help you maximize your enjoyment of the outdoor recreation the DNR offers in the Hoosier state.

The app has been completely rebuilt on a new platform for better device compatibility, featuring a new interface, better maps, more content, and the ability to receive notifications.

Watch fireworks at several Indiana State Parks

Enjoy fireworks at Indiana State Park properties on Saturday, July 1. Fireworks begin around dusk.

• Thunder over Patoka Lake
• Fireworks on Lake James (Pokagon State Park)
• Fireworks at Cecil M. Harden Lake (Raccoon SRA)
• Fireworks at Versailles State Park

Turkey Run State Park ranked among top 10 parks in the U.S.

Turkey Run State Park was named the seventh best state park in the United States in a list of 15 according to TravelAwaits, a website dedicated to travelers 50 and older.

The site mentions the park’s sandstone gorges, suspension bridge, and Sugar Creek as reasons why Turkey Run stands out.

Top tips for tackling summer fishing

The best rule of thumb for summer fishing is to fish at dusk and dawn when the temperatures are cool and the UV is less intense. Fish the shallows, as the bigger predatory fish will swim there to eat before the UV index increases.

If you’re fishing during the middle of the day, focus your attention on deeper waters near structures. Fish will swim in the temperature of water most comfortable for them. Try fishing at different depths. Start shallow and increase the depth you’re fishing until you start getting bites.

Million Tree Initiative exceeds 900,000 mark

Gov. Holcomb, in his 2020 State of the State Address, charged the DNR with planting 1 million trees during the next five years.

Thanks to the efforts of the DNR Division of Forestry and its partners, that once-lofty goal is well within sight. This spring, 253,400 seedlings were planted on DNR properties, bringing the four-year planting total to 964,900.

As the seedlings grow, they create shrub/tree habitat for wildlife species that require early successional habit, the majority of which are in decline, and form a natural carbon storage solution.

IPLA switches to the reserved hunts program

The Indiana Private Lands Access (IPLA) program has switched to reserved hunts and will no longer be available through the self-service sign-in system. IPLA hunt applications and information can now be found on the reserved hunt webpage.

Properties from various agencies participate in reserved hunts and may have unique restrictions that each hunter must follow.

The upcoming reserved hunt application window spans from July 2—Aug 6. for various species:

• Dove
• Squirrel
• Teal and Early Goose
• Deer: archery
• Deer: primitive muzzleloader (NWR hunts)
• Deer: firearms (NWR & FWA hunts)
• Deer: youth (NWR hunts)

Photo courtesy of USGS

Help DNR study blotchy bass syndrome

Blotchy bass syndrome (BBS) is the occurrence of black ink-like spots (hyperpigmentation) on the skin, fins, and/or mouths of freshwater bass species.

Researchers once thought that melanosis was caused by sun exposure or stress related to fishing, temperature, or pollution; however, researchers recently discovered that a family of viruses was associated with the black spots in fish that were in poor body condition.

The Division of Fish & Wildlife is partnering with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to collect samples from black bass species to test for BBS and needs your help. DNR encourages anglers to report observations of affected bass when you are fishing, so they and USGS can learn more about the effect of this family of viruses.  

How to participate:

• Download the MyCatch app from Angler’s Atlas.
• Register for the “Blotchy Bass Bonanza.”
• Take photos of all the bass you’ve caught (preferably on a measuring board) while fishing and upload them to the MyCatch app.

The Blotchy Bass Bonanza runs from March 1, 2023 —Feb. 29, 2024. The Indiana DNR is not associated with the MyCatch app or the Blotchy Bass Bonanza.

Indiana State Park Inn summer lodging savings

Stay two nights, and receive 25% off your stay now through Aug. 31, 2023. Valid Sunday through Thursday only. Must stay two consecutive nights. Certain property-specific restrictions may apply.

Reserve today by calling 1.877.LODGES1 or reserve online at IndianaInns.com.

Natural Resources Foundation funds field trip to Spring Mill State Park 

In May, students from Washington High School spent a day immersed in the natural world at Spring Mill State Park, thanks to funding from the Discover the Outdoors field trip grant program.

Offered in partnership with Indiana State Parks, Discover the Outdoors encourages educators to take students on field trips to an Indiana state park or reservoir. Dedicated staff at each property take time to guide the students through the natural and cultural history of the area they are exploring.

Next Level Trails celebrates Marquette Greenway opening in Portage

The 0.94-mile asphalt multi-use trail was constructed by the city of Portage with help from a $2.5 million Next Level Trails (NLT) grant. The award was announced in March 2021 as part of the second grant round of NLT. The project included a partnership with the National Parks Service.

Portage’s project closes a major gap in the Marquette Greenway system, a planned 50-mile multi-state trail intended to connect Chicago to New Buffalo, Michigan. Starting at the Ameriplex Business Park, the new trail travels east through Indiana Dunes National Park, over Salt Creek, and connects to the Burns Harbor section of the greenway, a 1.5-mile NLT project completed in June 2021.

B&O Trail opens, will connect town of Speedway to Indianapolis

The new 1.9-mile asphalt multi-use rail trail was constructed by the Speedway Trails Association (STA) with help from a $4.9 million Next Level Trails (NLT) grant.

The recently completed project extends the existing B&O Trail in Speedway to the east and west. The eastern extension adds 1.7 miles of new trail from Allison Way to Michigan Street in Haughville. The western extension includes a new bridge over Eagle Creek that extends the trail 0.2 miles west to High School Road.

The final connection to downtown Indianapolis will be a 1.0-mile protected bike lane along the improved Michigan Street corridor. The bike lane, which is under construction, is scheduled for completion in early 2024.

Report turkey broods for DNR this summer

In May, turkey chicks (poults), started to hatch in Indiana. This summer, the DNR needs your help counting turkey broods (hens with poults) and hens without poults. Brood reports have been collected since 1993 to calculate the annual wild turkey production index, which is used to inform biologists about population status and guide wildlife management for the species.

Please share your observations with us online from July 1 – Aug. 31. Recording observations takes less than five minutes, and no password is required.

DNR can’t calculate the production index without you. We appreciate your help.

Seven teams graduate Indiana Conservation Officer K-9 School

K-9 teams provide conservation officers an essential tool to help stop poaching. In the past 25 years, Indiana K-9 teams have been involved in thousands of such cases.

K-9 teams have also been used to find concealed game and firearms, as well as to find shell casings in road hunting and hunting-with-a-spotlight cases. They are used to find lost hunters as well as poachers who have tried to hide from officers.

Because of their unique abilities, K-9 units are often requested by other state and local law enforcement agencies for help in locating evidence, missing persons, or fleeing felons.

Christmas in July at Mississinewa and Salamonie lakes

Enjoy campsite decorating, prizes, cornhole tournament, Smokey Bear’s Birthday Bash, bicycle parade, treats, water games, and much more.

July 15, Mississinewa Lake
July 22, Salamonie Lake

Aquatic Center at Prophetstown State Park

Get your copy of Outdoor Indiana magazine

The July/August issue of Outdoor Indiana magazine features a cover story on DNR’s wide variety swimming spots. Become part of Outdoor Indiana. Subscribe for yourself, a friend or relative.

The Foundation celebrates and preserves Indiana’s natural legacy by raising funds to support the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and its programs.