When it comes to stocking fish in Indiana waters, 2014 was a banner year. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and organizations with a DNR permit stocked 31.9 million fish in 70 counties in 2014. In a typical year, stocking numbers are between 22 million-24 million fish.

The increase was primarily because of a near-record number of walleye eggs collected at Brookville Lake by DNR biologists for hatchery production. The eggs also had a higher-than-normal survival rate. As a result, biologists stocked approximately 10 million more walleye fry than normal. Other species stocked throughout Indiana were bluegill, brown trout, crappie, channel catfish, Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, grass carp, hybrid striped bass, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, muskie, pike, rainbow trout, redear sunfish, saugeye, steelhead, striped bass and yellow perch.

Stocking fish size ranged from fry to channel catfish and muskellunge more than a foot long. Stockings supplement natural reproduction or help establish a species in an area where it cannot reproduce on its own.

“Fish stockings not only add value to the fishery but also give a boost to the local economy by bringing additional anglers to the area,” said Brian Schoenung, DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife fisheries chief.

District fisheries biologists evaluate fish populations to determine the best sites for stocking. For questions about stocking at a specific location, contact your district fisheries biologist. A map of districts and their biologists is online at www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3590.htm

It is illegal to stock public waters without a DNR permit. The fish are produced at the state’s seven hatcheries and one trout rearing station. The fish were raised and stocked with the help of anglers through fishing license sales and the Sport Fish Restoration Fund, which collects excise tax paid by the manufacturer on qualifying fishing equipment.

Reserved turkey hunts

Reserved turkey hunts will be offered again this spring at various DNR-managed properties and at two national wildlife refuges. Hunt locations and dates are:

•Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge: April 18-19, 22-23, 24-25, 26-27 and 28-29

•Aukiki Wetland Conservation Area, Deer Creek Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA), Glendale FWA, J.E. Roush FWA, Jasper-Pulaski FWA, Kingsbury FWA, LaSalle FWA, Mississinewa Lake, Pigeon River FWA, Salamonie Lake, Tri-County FWA, Willow Slough FWA and Winamac FWA: April 22-24, 25-26, 27-29, April 30-May 2, May 3-5, 6-8 and 9-10

•Atterbury FWA, Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, Chinook FWA, Crosley FWA, Fairbanks Landing FWA, Hillenbrand FWA, Hovey Lake FWA and Minnehaha FWA: April 22-24, 25-27

•Sugar Ridge FWA: April 22-24, 25-26

Applicants are required to possess a valid license to hunt turkey in the 2015 spring season. Applicants may apply for one property and choose from the available dates for the property.

On DNR properties, successful applicants are not allowed to bring a hunting buddy, but may bring a non-hunting observer or helper.

At Muscatatuck, successful applicants may bring a buddy but only the drawn hunter may hunt. At Big Oaks NWR, a buddy is required, and the buddy may hunt. You don’t need to register your buddy at the time you apply.

Public hearings on rule changes

The Natural Resources Commission has scheduled three hearings to accept public comment on a package of proposed rule changes, including rules which would allow the use of high-powered rifles for deer hunting, a 25-fish daily bag limit on sunfish panfish (includes bluegill) and suspension of the ruffed grouse hunting season. For a complete list of proposed amendments with additional information about each proposal, see www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2362.htm

The next hearing is March 25, at 5:30 p.m. at the DNR Northeast Regional Office, 1353 Governors Drive in Columbia City. Public comments may be submitted online. Locate the “comment on this rule” link in the Rules Docket for the Fish & Wildlife Biennial Rules Amendment Package.

Comments also may be mailed to: Natural Resources Commission, Indiana Government Center South, 100 North Senate Ave., Room N501, Indianapolis, IN 46204. The deadline for submitting public comments is midnight on March 25.

IDNR hunting survey

Indiana’s DNR will be sending out a small game and furbearer hunter survey to 15,400 randomly selected lifetime and annual license holders by mid-March. Even if you did not hunt small game or furbearers during the 2014-15 hunting season, it is important to return this questionnaire.

Data from the survey are used to calculate the estimated harvest of small game and furbearers and to learn more about small game and furbearer hunters in Indiana. The data are essential in management planning, rule revisions and enhancements to hunter programs.

Each person returning a survey will be entered into a drawing for a 2015-16 license privilege or other potential benefits, which could include a limited draw small game hunt.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments may contact Jack Spaulding by email at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.