Winamac
1493 West 500 North
Winamac, IN 46996
(574) 946-4422
Winamac Fish & Wildlife Area is located in Pulaski County, Indiana, five miles north of the town of Winamac. This area totals 4,750 acres and is comprised of a wide variety of wildlife habitat types including second growth oak forests, crop and fallow fields, small pine plantations, brushy edges, and small shallow wetlands.
- History and Funding
- Rules and Regulations
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Shooting Ranges
- Trapping
- Wildlife Watching
- Additional Information
History and Funding
In the 1930s, the U.S. Department of the Interior purchased 6,454 acres of marginal farm ground bordering the Tippecanoe River and Hwy. U.S. 35 to provide jobs for the residents in the community. The land was developed as a recreational demonstration area, with picnic shelters, cabins, and campgrounds constructed mostly along the river. In 1943, the property was transferred to the State of Indiana to be operated as Tippecanoe River State Park. In 1959, 3,710 acres of land west of Hwy U.S. 35 was transferred to the Division of Fish & Game (now Division of Fish & Wildlife). Additional land acquisition has increased Winamac FWA to its present acreage. Most of the funds used in land acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance of this property are derived from the sale of Indiana hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses. Revenue is also received from the federal Pittman-Robertson program for aid to wildlife restoration. These funds are derived from taxes levied on sport hunting equipment. Indiana hunters, fishermen, and trappers are proud to provide this property for wildlife conservation and the benefit of all people.
Rules and Regulations
In addition to state fish and wildlife laws, this property is governed by posted regulations affecting the public use of lands and facilities owned, leased or licensed by the Department of Natural Resources. Pursuant to the Authority of Chapter 60, Acts of 1919, Chapter 120 and Chapter 353, Acts of 1945, Chapter 221, Acts of 1957, Chapter 406 and Chapter 441, Acts of 1965; and the Indiana Code of 1971, 14-3-3.
Posted Areas
Safety zones, refuges, waterfowl resting areas and other restricted areas are marked with appropriate signs. PLEASE READ AND OBEY ALL SIGNS.
Violations
Violation of any law, rule or regulation governing this property may be cause for forfeiting your hunting, fishing, or visiting privileges on this area.
Responsibility
The Division of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, will not be held responsible for any accidents or deaths occurring from the use of these facilities.
Permits
In addition to a hunting and/or fishing license, the following permits/check-ins are required:
- A self-service check-in is required for deer, small game, waterfowl and night hunting.
- Pre-season reservation drawings are held for wild turkey hunting (entire season – daily no-show drawings), and dove hunting (first two days – then daily drawings).
- The Put-Take pheasant hunt begins the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Put-Take pheasant hunters are registered on a first-come first-serve basis until the daily quota of 110 paid hunters is reached.
- Daily self-service check-in is required at each shooting range.
- Check-in is not required for fishing.
Target Ranges
- There are three public shooting ranges on Winamac FWA. Daily self-service check-in is required at each range.
- The archery range provides shooting stations at 10, 20, 30, and 40 yards from the ground or an elevated platform.
- The shotgun range is for clay targets only. Users must provide clay targets and throwers.
- The shooting range provides covered shooting stations at 25, 50, 100, and 200 yards. Paper targets only, properly posted on provided target bases. Users must provide paper targets and fasteners.
- Shooting and shotgun range hours: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm April - August. 8:00 am to 5:00 pm September – March.
- The archery range is open daily from daylight to dark.
- Ranges are closed on Mondays, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Traffic
Traffic on public roads through the area is governed by state and county laws. Traffic over service roads and trails, except by authorized vehicles, is restricted to walking.
- No motorized vehicles, horses or bicycles are permitted beyond county roads.
- Parking in designated lots only.
Fishing
- There are two 2-acre ponds for fishing on Winamac FWA located _mile south of the check station building.
- Check-in is not required for fishing.
- Bluegill, channel catfish, and largemouth bass (14 inch size limit) are the major species present.
- Access by walk-in only.
Hunting
- Sportsmen expend nearly 8,000 efforts per year hunting for deer, wild turkey, rabbit, quail, squirrel, woodcock, dove, and furbearers at Winamac FWA.
- Waterfowl hunting is offered but is limited due to the small amount of wetlands.
- A self-service check-in is required for deer, small game, waterfowl and night hunting.
- Pre-season reservation drawings are held for wild turkey hunting (entire season - daily no-show drawings), and dove hunting (first two days - then daily drawings).
- The Put-Take pheasant hunt begins the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Put-Take pheasant hunters are registered on a first-come first-serve basis until the daily quota of 110 paid hunters is reached.
Trapping
- Trapping is allocated by drawing only. The drawing is held on the first Saturday in October at 10:00 am. One trapper is drawn for the entire property and for the entire season.
- Only wetland trapping is permitted.
Wildlife Watching
- The oak forests, crop and fallow fields, small pine plantations, brushy edges, and small shallow wetlands of Winamac FWA provide excellent opportunities for hiking, site seeing, bird watching, and nature studies.
Additional Opportunities
- Hiking, bird watching, nature study, site seeing, berry picking, nut gathering, and mushroom hunting are among the additional activities permitted at Winamac FWA.
