Conservation News

Fish at Cecil M. Harden Lake (aka Raccoon Lake) will have more habitat thanks to a $1,500 grant from the Reservoir Fisheries Habitat Partnership and King Enterprises. The grant will pay for Mossback Fish Habitat structures that simulate trees and aquatic vegetation with natural colors, textured surfaces and flexible limbs. …

The volunteer work day will be November 4th from 9 am to 1 pm. Volunteers are asked to meet at the DNR Office Building at the Raccoon Lake Recreation Area at 1588 S. Raccoon Parkway Rockville, IN 47872 for instructions. This will be an informal event, where people can come …

Four events this Saturday offer a chance to fish using provided equipment and bait. While participation in all four events is free, park admission fees will apply, and anglers age 18 and older must possess a fishing license. Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis will host a Fishing Triathlon from 10 …

Monroe Lake’s annual shoreline cleanup will be Sunday, Sept. 10 at 1:30 p.m. Participants will board boats to travel to areas that are difficult to reach on foot. Because of boat capacity, space is limited. Volunteers must register by Sept. 7. Children must be at least 10 years old to …

Patoka Lake shore cleanup, Aug. 26 Fun in the sun at Patoka Lake leaves behind more than just summer memories. It also results in trash and debris along the lake shore. The lake needs the public’s help to restore its shorelines to pristine conditions during a cleanup event on Saturday, …

A recent rash of fish kills in several Kosciusko County lakes has residents and anglers looking for possible causes. In most cases, DNR biologists say the causes are unknown, but the fish kills will not affect the overall health of fish populations or the quality of fishing. Dead common carp …

Three Kosciusko County lakes are experiencing a reduction in invasive Eurasian watermilfoil this spring. Center, Big Chapman and Webster lakes have had recurring problems with Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) in past years. EWM is present in most Indiana lakes. It often grows so densely that it creates a nuisance for boating …

A bow fisherman recently caught a rare fish in southwestern Indiana. The fisherman harvested an alligator gar on the White River on June 1, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Officials say it measured 63 inches and weighed 55 pounds. DNR says the catch is the first alligator gar …

Michigan’s decision to cancel its muskie-stocking program this year due to a virus outbreak in adult fish they capture for muskie eggs has prompted Indiana DNR officials to say a similar situation could develop in the Hoosier state. Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSv), which is responsible for a number of …

Fish and anglers both will benefit from a DNR habitat project at Cecil M. Harden (Raccoon) Lake. DNR fisheries biologists and partner organizations hope to develop more than 350 fish habitat features in the lake by the end of 2018. The project includes rock piles, brush piles, wooden structures, and …