General Fishing Regulations
FISHING GUIDE INDEX
General Regulations | Inland Trout Regulations | Lake Michigan and Tributaries
Ohio River Regulations | Reptiles and Amphibians | Black Bass Regulations
Statewide Size and Bag Limits | Species Identification | Where to Fish
General Fishing Regulations
Click on a link below to view more information regarding rules and regulations for that topic.
- Baitfish, Crayfish, Shad, Alewives
- Boating and Life Preservers
- Channel Catfish Bag Limits
- Closed Seasons/Closed Areas
- Endangered Fish
- Float Fishing
- Gaffs, Grab Hooks and Landing Nets
- Harassment of Hunters, Trappers and Anglers
- Hooks for Hand or Pole Fishing
- Ice Fishing
- Illegal Devices
- Illegal Stocking, Aquarium Release
- Limb Lines
Harassment of Hunters, Trappers and Anglers
It is illegal to intentionally interfere with the legal taking of a game animal by another person on public land, or on private land without permission of the landowner.
Boating and Life Preservers
All motorboats used in public waters must be registered. For a copy of Indiana boating laws, write to DNR Division of Law Enforcement, 402 W. Washington St., Room W255D, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
A U.S. Coast Guard approved Type 1, 2, 3 or 5 wearable personal floatation device is required for each person in any boat. Boats 16 feet and longer, except for canoes or kayaks, must also have one USCG-approved throwable PFD on board. Lake Michigan, the Ohio River and boundary waters of the Wabash River have special regulations. Call the USCG at (219) 879-8371 for Lake Michigan, (502) 779-5400 for southern Indiana or see uscgboating.org for a copy of federal boating regulations.
On state-owned, leased or licensed lakes smaller than 300 acres, only electric motors may be used. No more than two 12-volt batteries can be used to power trolling motors on these waters.
- Inland trout seasons and closures
- Lake Michigan and its tributary closures
- Ohio River paddlefish closures
- There is no closed season for bass in Indiana
- All other waters and fish species have no closed season.
Sinkers
You may want to consider using fishing sinkers that do not contain lead if you are concerned about your exposure to lead. Alternatives to lead sinkers are made out of steel, bismuth, tungsten and resin. Fish or wildlife health may be affected if they ingest lead or zinc sinkers.
Measuring Fish
To determine the accurate length of a fish, measure a straight line from the tip of the jaw (mouth closed) to the tip of the compressed tail fin. Measure with mouth closed and tail compressed to determine total length.
Measure shovelnose sturgeon from nose to fork in tail fin to determine length.
Tagging and Marking
Anyone interested in marking or tagging fish in public water must get approval from the Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) before marking or tagging occurs. An application, available from the DFW, must be processed 21 days before the scheduled start date. Contact the DFW for more information: (317) 232-4080.
Lake Webster Muskie:
During the past three decades, Lake Webster has developed into one of the Midwest’s premier muskie fisheries. Since 1998, it also has provided brood fish for muskie stocking in other Indiana lakes. Beginning in 2005 and each year since, muskies captured for brood stock were marked with a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag, that, when scanned with a specially designed reader, displays a unique identification number for each fish. The PIT tag is embedded within the muscle of the fish, behind the dorsal fin. This coding allows biologists to track the age and growth of muskies over time and estimate the number of adult muskies in the lake. Throughout the four years of this study, more than 1,100 Lake Webster muskies have been tagged. These tags cannot be seen externally; they’re about the size of a hyphen (-), and are located internally, in the head of the fish, and pose no health threat if accidentally ingested.
Lake Monroe Walleye Study:
A walleye telemetry project initiated in 2008 on Monroe Lake will continue through 2009. The purpose of this study is to track the seasonal movements of these fish. More information on this project is at fishing.IN.gov under "Overview." Currently, about 24 fish are tagged with transmitters and anchor tags. The radio antenna extends beyond the fish’s abdomen by several inches. Yellow anchor tags also were placed in the fish’s back on the left side of the dorsal fin. If you catch one of these fish and do not wish to release it, please return the transmitter to Avoca State Fish Hatchery (812) 279-1215. We encourage release of these fish throughout 2009 to help us maintain the integrity of the fish tracking study.
Lake Michigan Trout and Salmon:
Trout or salmon with a missing adipose fin contain a very small micro wire tag in the head of the fish with important information the DNR needs for a study. Please save the head from your marked (adipose fin-clipped) trout and salmon and contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife (219) 874-6824 for instruction on drop-off locations. Only trout and salmon with a missing adipose fin have micro tags.
Sport Fish Possession
The possession limit on all sport fish and frogs is two days’ daily bag limit. Special possession and bag limits apply for trout and salmon on Lake Michigan.
Channel Catfish Bag Limits
There is no bag limit on catfish taken from streams and no bag limit on channel catfish taken from Gibson Lake (Gibson County) or Turtle Creek Reservoir (Sullivan County). In all other lakes and reservoirs, the bag limit is 10 fish for any combination of flathead, blue or channel catfish.
Walleye Size Limits
Walleye and hybrid walleye taken from all waters in Indiana must be 14 inches in length or longer, except on the Ohio River where there are no minimum size limits.
The St. Joseph River has a special size limit. In cooperation with the State of Michigan, a 15-inch minimum size limit has been established for walleye and hybrid walleye taken from the St. Joseph River (St. Joseph and Elkhart counties).
Illegal Devices
It is illegal to use the following devices to take fish from public waters: a weir, electric current, dynamite or other explosive, a firearm, a crossbow, hands alone, or any substance that may weaken or poison fish. Cast nets cannot be used to catch sport fish.
Sorting Fish
Anglers are responsible for maintaining fish in a healthy condition if they wish to return fish to the water. Dead and dying fish already kept cannot be released back into the water. However, sorting of fish may be allowed within the bag limit if fish are in healthy condition at the time of release. Fish must be released into the water from which they were taken and be able to swim away normally. At no time may anglers have more than a bag limit of fish in their possession while engaged in a day’s fishing. All fish in possession must meet legal size limits. For example, if you catch five largemouth bass (daily bag limit is five) and later that day catch a larger largemouth bass, it is legal to release any of the other fish in good condition in order to keep the larger one.
Baitfish, Crayfish, Shad, Alewives
Minnows and crayfish may be collected any time through the year if you possess a valid sport fishing license. You must have a bait dealer’s license to sell minnows and crayfish or possess more than 500 minnows or crayfish. You cannot transport more than 100 crayfish across the state boundary in a 24-hour period unless you are commercially raising crayfish. You may use artificial lighting to take crayfish.
If you plan to catch your own minnows or crayfish, the following restrictions apply. There are special regulations for collecting minnows and crayfish on the Ohio River.
- Seines cannot be larger than 12 feet in length and 4 feet deep with mesh no larger than ½ inch stretch.
- Minnow dip nets cannot exceed 3 feet square, without sides or walls, and may not have mesh larger than ½ inch stretch.
- Minnow traps cannot exceed 24 inches in length, with the opening of the trap no larger than 1 inch in diameter.
- Cast nets may be used, provided the net is no larger than 20 feet in diameter and the mesh stretch is no larger than ¾ inch. At the bodies of water where live gizzard shad and threadfin shad can be used (see below), cast nets can have a maximum mesh size of 2 inches stretch mesh. Stretch mesh is the distance between two opposite knots of a net mesh when the net is stretched tight.
You may use some species of wild fish as live bait, as long as the fish are caught legally and meet any size, catch, or possession limits established for that species. Goldfish may be used as live bait. Carp cannot be used as live bait at any location. Live gizzard shad and threadfin shad may be collected, possessed and used as live bait on the following waters only but may not be transported away from the location where collected:
- Brookville Reservoir
- Cecil M. Harden Reservoir
- Monroe Reservoir
- Patoka Reservoir
- Lake Freeman
- Lake Shafer
- Hardy Lake
- Ohio River mainstem, excluding all embayments
Any unused shad must be killed while at these water bodies. Live gizzard shad or threadfin shad collected at other water bodies will need to be killed immediately upon capture and cannot be possessed live.
Live alewives may be collected, possessed and used on Lake Michigan only, and may not be transported away from Lake Michigan. Any unused alewives must be killed. You must immediately kill alewives collected from waters other than Lake Michigan.
All minnows purchased from bait shops or taken from public waters cannot be of any species considered threatened or endangered, and may not be live prohibited species. Anglers collecting wild-caught minnows are encouraged to collect their bait from the water in which they will fish in order to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Minnows should not be released into the water after you finish fishing. Emptying bait buckets can contaminate a body of water with undesirable fish. In addition, bait and bait buckets exposed to lake or stream water could get contaminated with zebra mussel larvae, fish pathogens or other aquatic invasive species. Anglers are encouraged to dispense of baitfish in the trash after each outing and buy new bait for the next outing. Fishing worms should be discarded in trash containers.
Illegal Stocking, Aquarium Release
No individual may take any live fish (native or non-native) and release it into any other public waters without a stocking permit. Fisheries biologists in the DNR approve stocking of fish only after careful consideration of the potential impacts of new fish on the existing habitat and fish population.
Hooks for Hand or Pole Fishing
You may fish with no more than three poles or hand lines at any one time. Each line may have no more than two single or multi-barbed hooks, two artificial baits or two harnesses for live bait.
Single- or multi-barbed hooks may be used for hand or pole lines, float or jug fishing, limb, drop or trot lines. Special hook size and barb regulations apply to Lake Michigan and its tributaries.
Gaffs, Grab Hooks and Landing Nets
Landing nets, gaff hooks or grab hooks may be used only to assist in the landing of a legally caught fish. They may not be used as the method of catching fish.
Snares
You may use no more than one snare to take suckers, carp, gar and bowfin. Snaring these fish may be done only between sunrise and sunset.
Limb Lines
A limb line (or drop line) involves suspending a fishing line from a limb extending beyond the bank of a body of water. You may fish with no more than 10 limb or drop lines at any one time. Each line may have no more than one single- or multi-barbed hook attached to it. Each line must have a readable tag showing the name and address of the user. All lines must be checked at least once every 24 hours. It is illegal to use a limb or drop line within 300 yards of any partial or full dam structure on any stream, river, ditch, canal or reservoir.
Snagging Fish
It is illegal to snag fish from public waters in Indiana, including the Ohio River. Foul-hooked fish (fish not caught in the mouth) must be released to the water and not kept. Snagging is the practice of dragging or jerking a hook (or hooks), baited or unbaited, through the water with the intention of snagging a fish on contact.
Trot Lines
A trot line (also called a set line or throw line) is a fishing line with smaller lines attached to it extending out into the water from a fixed point, such as a boat dock or tree. You may fish with no more than one trot line at any one time. The trot line must have no more than 50 single- or multi-barbed hooks. Each drop line on a trot line may have only one hook. A legible tag with the name and address of the user must be affixed to each trot line, and be checked at least once every 24 hours. It is illegal to use a trot line in Lake Michigan or within 300 yards of any partial or full dam structure on any stream, river, ditch, canal or reservoir.
Float Fishing
Float or jug fishing is the use of any buoyed container (made of any material other than glass) that suspends a single fishing line and a single- or multi-barbed hook. As many as five floats may be used, but only one hook may be attached to each float line. Each float must be marked with the user’s name and address, and all lines must be in constant visual contact. Float fishing is not allowed on lakes and reservoirs for public safety reasons.
Ice Fishing
When ice fishing, no more than three lines may be used at any one time. Each line may contain no more than two hooks (single, double or treble) or two artificial baits. Holes cut for ice fishing cannot be more than 12 inches in diameter. Tip-ups must be identified with the name and address of the user, and must be in constant visual contact of the person using them.
Ice fishing shelters must have the owner’s name and address in 3-inch block letters on the outside of the door. An unattended portable ice fishing shelter must have the owner’s name and address in 3-inch block letters on an exterior wall. Any ice fishing shelter or portable shelter left unattended, between sunset and sunrise, must have at least one red reflector or a 3-inch by 3-inch reflective strip on each side of the structure.
Ice shanties and portable shelters must be removed from public waters before ice-out. If used before Jan. 1 and after Feb. 15, all structures must be removed daily.
Spear & Bow Fishing
Suckers, carp, gar, bowfin, buffalo and shad may be taken at the locations below with the equipment listed, and only during the hours noted. There are no bag limits for these fish. See special restrictions for Lake Michigan and its tributaries.
Large Streams (1,500 cfs minimum flow):
- White River from the Wabash River upstream to the junction of East and West forks
- West Fork of White River, upstream to the dam below Harding Street in Indianapolis
- East Fork of White River, upstream to the dam at the south edge of Columbus
- The Wabash River, upstream to S.R. 13 at the town of Wabash
- The Tippecanoe River, upstream to ½ mile below its confluence with Big Creek
- The Maumee River, upstream to the Anthony Blvd. Bridge in Fort Wayne
- The Kankakee River, upstream to S.R. 55 bridge
- The St. Joseph River (upstream from Twin Branch dam) in St. Joseph and Elkhart counties
- Equipment: Fish spear, gig, spear gun, bow and arrow, underwater spear. Crossbows may not be used.
- Time: All year, day or night.
Small Streams (less than 1,500 cfs flow):
- Any and all streams or partial streams not listed above.
- Equipment: Bow and arrow only. Crossbows may not be used.
- Time: All year, sunrise to sunset.
Non-flowing Waters (including lakes, ponds and reservoirs):
- Equipment: Fish spear, gig, spear gun, underwater spear, and bow and arrow. Crossbows may not be used.
- Time: All year, day or night.
Smelt Fishing
Smelt may be taken from Lake Michigan and Oliver Lake in LaGrange County from March 1 through May 30. Smelt may be taken only with a single seine or net. The seine or net may not exceed 12 feet in length and 6 feet in depth nor have a stretch mesh larger than 1½ inches. A dip net may not exceed 12 feet in diameter.
Wanton Waste
The intentional waste and destruction of fish is prohibited unless the fish is required by law to be killed. Fish must not be mutilated and returned to the water unless the fish is lawfully used as bait. Fish parts, including entrails, must not be discarded into any state waters, but should be disposed of in a sanitary manner that does not pollute the water or become detrimental to public health or comfort.
Sale of Aquatic Life
No fish, frogs, turtles or other reptile or amphibian taken under a fishing or hunting license may be bought, sold or bartered. You may keep fish that you catch for an aquarium if that fish meets legal size and bag limit requirements. If you give your catch away, it’s a good idea to provide the recipient a note identifying the fish you gave them. This avoids confusion with exceeding the daily bag limit or possessing fish without a fishing license.
Mussels
It is illegal to collect or take live or dead mussel shells from public waters. A ban on harvesting shells has been in effect since 1991 to protect against a rapid decrease in the abundance and distribution of mussels. Please do not disturb living mussels or take dead shells. It is illegal to possess live the following aquatic invasive mussels: Asiatic clam, quagga mussel and zebra mussel.
Endangered Fish
The following fish species are classified as endangered in Indiana:
- bantam sunfish
- cavefishes
- channel darter
- gilt darter
- greater redhorse
- lake sturgeon
- northern brook lamprey
- pallid shiner
- redside dace
- variegate darter
It is illegal to take or possess these fish at any time. Most of these species are small and would not be caught while angling. However, these species could be encountered during baitfish collection. If captured, immediately return them unharmed to the water in which they were found. A listing of Indiana’s endangered species is available at fishing.IN.gov.
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