White River Survey
DNR researchers gather information on White River recreational use in southern Indiana
Department of Natural Resources researchers are floating down and flying over 128 miles of the east fork and main stem of the river gathering information about angling and other recreational uses of the waterway.
From April through October, two researchers are boating sections of the river between Williams, Ind. and the river's mouth near East Mount Carmel, Ind. to interview anglers about what they catch and how they use the river.
Researchers are also surveying the river stretch from a low-flying Cessna airplane 12 times each month to count river users.
And in September, dozens of biologists will conduct a massive fish population survey along this lower river stretch dotted with homes, fishing camps, private docks, campgrounds, and boat ramps.
The White River has tremendous recreational and natural resource value. This survey will help DNR bioloigsts gauge the value of the river and give us guidance for future fisheries management.
Survey status reports will be posted periodically. (See below) Final survey results should be complete in early 2004.
For more information on this project, contact lead researcher Bob Ball at Avoca State Fish Hatchery, P. O. Box 16, Avoca, IN 47420 or at rball@dnr.IN.gov
Survey Status Reports
Web Update for East Fork and Mainstem White River Recreational Survey - July 8, 2003
Anglers continue to catch fish on the East Fork White River and Mainstem White River. Channel, white, and flathead catfish, along with drum, compose most of the catch. The East Fork White River has come down some, but both this river and the Mainstem are fluctuating erratically because of the heavy rains in the watersheds.
A late spring method for catching Kentucky spotted bass (“spots”), which are common in the East Fork White River, is the “drop line” method. The angler uses a boat to approach submerged trees or other cover, and drops his line straight down, using a small jig or jelly frog or crayfish. A small minnow can also be used.
Bank and trot lines are popular methods in the summer. Some anglers set out the lines in the evening before dark, then run them in the middle of the night and the following morning. This calls for camping out on the river with the company of friends. Others run and re-bait lines twice a day. Typical baits are live fish, cut up fish, and crayfish.
A portion of the river is also popular for canoeing, especially from Williams down to Hindustan Falls. Along this section there are many scenic views, with riffles, islands and birds of a great variety.
In the photos above, Boyd Ross, angler interview clerk, operates a boat on the lower river, and Jim Dalton, one of the pilots, walks by the Cessna 172 that has become a part of the project.
- View the project work plan
- Other DNR research project reports
- Indiana canoeing information
- Link to Friends of the White River Website
