General Questions
- What books are available for identifying aquatic plants and animals in Indiana?
- Where can I get information on the water quality and fisheries in Indiana lakes?
- What is "swimmer's itch"?
- Are there jellyfish in Indiana?
- What are the strange slimy blobs attached to my dock or washed up on shore?
- My fish is too big for its aquarium. Can I release it in a lake or river?
- What factors can cause fish kills? Should I report a fish kill?
- Should I report finding zebra mussels? What is the state doing about exotic species?
- Would fishing improve if local lakes or rivers were stocked with more fish?
- Who should I call if I suspect a violate of Indiana's water pollution laws or fish and wildlife laws?
What books are available for identifying aquatic plants and animals in Indiana?
The regions and telephone numbers for DNR Conservation Officers and District Fisheries Biologists are located in the Fishing Guide. What books are available for identifying aquatic plants and animals in Indiana? There are a large number of books available as identification guides for many species of plants and animals in the Midwest. These are available in many bookstores and can also be found at stores in the inns at Indiana State Parks. The University of Wisconsin publishes an excellent guide to the plants that grow in lakes and rivers, called "Through the Looking Glass: A Field Guide to Aquatic Plants" which can be ordered by calling 715-346-2116. One of the best wildflower identification guides is "Newcomb's Wildflower Guide" by Lawrence Newcomb. Books on the fishes of Missouri, Kentucky, and Wisconsin are useful, depending upon your location in the state. An excellent illustrated reference on aquatic insects in the Midwest, "Aquatic Entomology: The Fishermen's and Ecologists' Illustrated Guide to Insects and Their Relatives" which is authored by Purdue University professor W. Patrick McCafferty. The DNR publication titled "Resource Guide to Water Quality" lists these and several other recommended books on identification of plants and animals in ponds, lakes, and rivers, along with other resources on lake and watershed management.
Where can I get information on the water quality and fisheries in Indiana lakes?
Three sections of the Indiana DNR conduct water quality studies in Indiana waters. The DNR Lake and River Enhancement program in the Division of Soil Conservation provides funding to lake associations and other local organizations for comprehensive studies and construction projects that control pollution caused by soil erosion and nutrient runoff. District fisheries biologists conduct surveys of fish communities and sportfish capacity in lakes and rivers in their region. Copies of older studies are available in local libraries, at the county Soil and Water Conservation District, from local DNR fisheries offices, and from lake associations. A listing of all projects supported by the LARE program and copies of more recent studies are now being posted to the web site at: Recent fisheries studies are listed online at "Fish and Wildlife Management and Research Notes" at: The Division of Parks and Recreation manages recreational opportunities at state properties and provides information on these facilities at:
What is "swimmer's itch" and how can I avoid it?
Swimmer's itch is a troublesome itching rash that can affect swimmers after they emerge from the water. The rash is caused by penetration of a tiny larval parasitic flatworm that normally resides in waterfowl and a certain species of aquatic snail. The burrowing parasite quickly dies, but the body remains at the site and can be the stimulus of acute inflammatory reaction. Like any allergic reaction, the degree of discomfort and bodily reaction differs with the sensitivity of the individual and degree of infestation. In some people, considerable pain, fever and severe itching may result along with noticeable swelling of affected areas. Some bathers appear to be immune. Welts normally disappear within a week but red coloration may persist some time longer. The inflamed areas resemble chigger bites, but differ in distribution on the body. Chiggers tend to attack the legs, groin, waistline, and underarm areas, whereas swimmers' itch can be distributed over any exposed area of the body. Swimmers' itch does not produce watery blisters like poison ivy, does not spread from the point of penetration of the parasite, and is not contagious like bacterial infections.
Outbreaks of swimmers' itch are related to the distribution of infected waterfowl and vary from year to year in any water body, but are generally most common in July when snail infections mature and parasite production increases. Hot weather can contribute by speeding development of the parasites. Infestations often disappear later in the summer when the snail host dies out.
Extensive control measures using toxic chemicals are possible but usually not warranted. Individuals can control the effects of exposure by rubbing exposed surfaces of the body briskly with a towel after leaving the water. Bathers who remain in the water and follow this procedure upon leaving fair better than those who enter and leave the water frequently or are playing intermittently in shallow water. Taking a shower in water different from the lake water as soon as possible after leaving will also help. These procedures crush or remove the tiny parasites from the skin before they can penetrate the body.
Are there jellyfish in Indiana?
Freshwater jellyfish have been observed in over 43 different water bodies in Indiana in locations that possess relatively high water quality. The freshwater jellyfish (Craspedacusta sowerbii) has a clear or translucent white bell-shaped body about the size of a dime or nickel. Unlike some of the marine jellyfish, the freshwater jellyfish does not pose a hazard to swimmers. Freshwater jellyfish can occur in virtually any type of water body if conditions allow, including lakes, ponds, fish ponds, water-filled quarries, reservoirs, and even sluggish streams and rivers. Only one species of freshwater jellyfish occurs naturally in North America, but this species is found virtually worldwide. They are typically found in late summer during August and September. Their appearance is sporadic and unpredictable. Individuals become apparent as they rise to the water surface in afternoon to early evening, especially on clear and warm days in calm water. Many questions remain concerning the distribution and biology of freshwater jellyfish.
What are the strange slimy blobs attached to my dock or washed up on shore?
Lake residents occasionally find blobs of jelly-like material attached to their dock, reeled in on a hook or washed up on shore in the summer. The strange slimy mass, that may range from clear to green or yellow to dark brown is actually a harmless colony called a bryozoan. The mass may attain the size of a basketball. The colony will not sting. Bryozoans are found in ponds, lakes and slow streams and attach themselves to vegetation or the undersides of logs and docks to avoid strong sunlight. They generally cannot survive in polluted or muddy waters. The colony starts in spring as a single microscopic individual, but grows by budding throughout the summer to attain a larger size by late summer. The ball is made of thousands of individuals that strain tiny plants and animals from the water. Snails, insects and fish may eat them, but predation is not extensive. The bryozoan may harbor insects that provide food for small fish. The colony dies out by late fall, when they are often found as they break up and wash on shore. Individuals are released as a winter-hardened "seed" and may be carried to other waters on the feet of aquatic animals and waterfowl. The individual is able to germinate after passing through the digestive system of animals. In the United States, freshwater bryozoans only occur east of the Mississippi River and north of the 39th parallel.
My fish is too big for its aquarium. Can I release it in a lake or river?
It is illegal to release a fish into public waters (lakes or rivers) in the state. Aquarium fish can carry diseases or exotic parasites. Reports of larger aquarium species, such as pacu, piranha, and aruana are becoming more common in Indiana, causing concern by residents and possibly disrupting local ecological conditions. Many of the species that have become a problem for native plants and animals were first introduced by human actions. Take responsibility for your aquarium fish and either trade them to other aquarium owners or dispose of them properly. Better yet, know what size a species will likely attain before you purchase the fish and do not buy fish that will get too big for your aquarium.
What factors can cause fish kills? Should I report a fish kill?
Fish die-offs are common in the spring. Lake residents and pond owners who find small numbers of dead fish along their shorelines in the spring need not worry in most cases. Minor fish die-offs commonly occur each year during early spring and late summer. Fish are more susceptible to stress during spring. Poor conditions in summer and fall can magnify the effects of food scarcity in winter. As the weather warms in spring, bacteria and other pathogens may infect fish. On top of this, fish are physically gearing up for the coming spawning season. All these factors produce stress that some individual fish simply cannot overcome. Stressful environmental conditions usually take their toll on weak or unhealthy fish. Natural die-offs seldom seriously impact fish populations and rarely affect fishing success. Most minor die-offs occur naturally and pond owners can do little to correct them. Conditions that cause fish die-offs may persist for several days. Frequently, dead fish will accumulate on wind-blown areas creating the appearance of a major die-off. Anglers who observe fish kills commonly express concern about the safety of eating other fish they catch from affected waters. Fish that appear robust and healthy are generally safe to eat as long as anglers clean and cook them properly.
Minor fish kills usually involve fewer than 100 fish, while a major kill can affect thousands. Fish kills that consist of a large number of fish in lakes or streams may be related to a pollution event and may need immediate attention. Suspected fish kills can be reported to a Conservation Officer or a District Fisheries Biologist for your region.
How can I maintain native species in an aquarium for educational purposes?
Assuming that you are not going to release any of your aquarium inhabitants to the wild (which we strongly discourage), regulations that apply to aquaculture systems would not be pertinent. If you intend to collect fish, frogs or other aquatic species for your pond from natural habitats, you must have a valid Indiana fishing license and follow the regulations in the Fishing Guide. You cannot possess a fish that has not been legally obtained through purchase or by fishing with a license. Due to restrictions on mussel harvest, you may not collect any live or dead shells of mussels (species having a pair of hinged shells). There are no regulations regarding collection of aquatic insects other than endangered species.
If you are interested in maintaining native fish species in an aquarium, you might consider subscribing to "American Currents," a publication of the North American Native Fishes Association (NANFA). The magazine is printed quarterly and has many interesting facts about native fish and tips for maintaining and breeding them in aquaria. A membership is $15 mailed to NANFA, P.O. Box 2304, Kensington, Maryland 29891.
For educational purposes, you may wish to extrapolate the principles that you are teaching to real pond systems. Other references that may be helpful would be the DNR brochures on lake plant management, pond management, and a listing of references on aquatic systems and species identification. Fish Pond Management provides information about general management of fish ponds or small lakes. For more information on plant management in lakes, please refer to the new brochure available only on the web as "Managing Aquatic Plants in Indiana Lakes." The publication "Resource Guide to Water Quality" gives a list of books on lake management, including identification of aquatic plants and animals.
Should I report finding zebra mussels? What is the state doing about exotic species?
The Indiana Lakes Management Work Group, a 26-member task force including four state legislators, as well as citizens and agency representatives appointed by Governor Frank O'Bannon, was established in 1997 to address challenges facing Indiana's lakes and reservoirs. The final report of the group made several recommendations on improving the control of exotic species.
Would fishing improve if local lakes or rivers were stocked with more fish?
Stocking is a fisheries management tool that must be used correctly to reap the benefits, be cost effective, and not unduly disrupt other beneficial aquatic animals. The DNR raises and stocks certain species of fish in water bodies around the state according to a carefully derived stocking plan. A few citizens' organizations also participate in stocking of particular species through consultation with DNR fisheries biologists. In most cases, stocking of common fish like bass, bluegill, crappie or catfish will not improve fisheries in natural waters. The limiting factors of water quality and habitat control the number of fish that thrive in a particular area. If these factors are not improved, stocked fish will not survive and the effort will be wasted. Stocking of new species in an area must be planned carefully to avoid negative impacts on resident fish and other aquatic wildlife. Stocking of lakes or ponds that are managed by a park department or other public entity should be determined by that organization. If your organization is considering stocking a public water, contact the DNR District Fisheries Biologist first to determine if the stocking would benefit fisheries. All stocking requests are reviewed by fisheries biologists to determine the potential benefits and for the possibility of disrupting existing game fish or other aquatic species. Stocking permit applications are available from the IDNR Division of Fish and Wildlife, 402 W. Washington St. Rm W273, Indianapolis, IN 46204 or by calling 317-232-4080.
Who should I call if I suspect a violate of Indiana's water pollution laws or fish and wildlife laws?
For violations of Indiana's water pollution laws or fish and wildlife laws, individuals may call 1-800-TIP-IDNR (800-847-4367). TIP stands for "Turn in a Poacher / Turn in a Polluter." This line is staffed by Conservation Officers who will refer the call to the appropriate state agency or follow the lead as an enforcement issue. Callers are not required to give their names or testify in court. IDEM also has an emergency spill line which is for major chemical spills. Reports from citizens can always go through the TIP-IDNR line to reach this unit, if needed.
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