The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will stock more than 55,000 trout throughout the state just in time for stream trout season, starting April 25. The state’s annual trout stocking plan involves 18 lakes and 19 streams.

Traditionally, the state has stocked only rainbow trout in all locations except the Brookville Lake tailwaters on the Whitewater River, where brown trout are stocked in addition to rainbow. New this year, the state will stock both brown and rainbow trout in LaGrange County, in the Pigeon River and the Oliver Lake chain.

Other changes for 2015 include more fish at Morsches Park in Whitley County and changes to stocking locations along the Little Kankakee River in LaPorte County.

Trout may be harvested year-round on Indiana lakes, while trout may be harvested in Indiana streams between the last Saturday in April and Dec. 31. The daily bag limit on most lakes and streams is five, and only one may be a brown trout. In general, the minimum size limit is 7 inches.

The size limit to keep a brown trout in the Brookville Lake tailwater and on Oliver, Olin and Martin lakes in LaGrange County is 18 inches. Certain sections of Little Elkhart River, Cobus Creek and Solomon Creek in Elkhart County are catch-and-release only trout streams, and anglers there must use artificial lures.

The spring stocking of inland lakes with trout could be delayed because of the late ice thaw. Some stream stockings might be canceled or delayed because of rain or flooding. The DNR will issue a news release and post changes on the trout stocking website if information changes.

Additional information on regulations is at www.fishing.IN.gov and licenses can be purchased at your local retailer or at www.IndianaOutdoor.IN.gov

Monroe Lake campfire cooking

Monroe Lake is offering a series of three campfire cooking workshops at Paynetown State Recreation Area, starting with bread baking on April 26. The bread workshop begins at 1:30 p.m.

Participants will learn techniques for making campfire breads by preparing and baking several kinds. There also will be a demonstration on baking yeast (artisanal) bread in a cast-iron Dutch oven. Participants will go home with recipes and fresh-baked bread.

The bread workshop is limited to 10 people, ages 16 and older. Advance registration is required by April 23 at https://bit.ly/campcookapr2015 – and there is a fee of $20 per person.

Future workshops focus on breakfast foods on June 21, (https://bit.ly/campcookjun2015) and pies and cakes on Aug. 16 (https://bit.ly/campcookaug2015). For more information, contact Jill Vance, Monroe Lake interpretive naturalist, at jvance@dnr.IN.gov or 812-837-9967.

Paynetown State Recreation Area on Monroe Lake is located at 4850 South S.R. 446, Bloomington, IN 47401.

Indiana Dunes competing

for Best State Park 

Fans of Indiana Dunes State Park can help earn the park a spot on a USA Today list of the 10 Best State Parks in the country. The park was one of 20 nationwide nominated for the list by a panel of travel experts.

Readers will select the best 10 from the nominees, ranked according to vote totals. The public has until March 30 to vote, at www.10best.com/awards/ travel/best-state-park

The United States is home to more than 6,000 state parks, representing millions of acres and hundreds of millions of visitors.

Indiana Dunes was nominated for its three miles of Lake Michigan beach, 200-foot-tall sand dunes and four seasons of fun.

“The park really is a mecca for a wide variety of visitor use,” said Brad Bumgardner, park interpretive naturalist.

“From runners to beach-goers, birders to wildflower enthusiasts, or simply those seeking a quiet natural experience, there is a little of something for every visitor to this park.”

For more information, call 219-926-1390. Indiana Dunes State Park is located at 1600 North 25 E., Chesterton, IN 46304.

Twig centerpiece workshop

Get all “outdoorsy and artsy” and create an elegant, nature-inspired centerpiece during a workshop at Mounds State Park March 28.

Participants in this workshop will craft centerpieces using a recycled wine bottle, twigs, paint, twine and other rustic materials.

“These centerpieces are popular on blogs and do-it-yourself websites such as Pinterest,” said interpretive naturalist Jessica Rosier. “Participants will go home with a customized décor item that will remind them of the natural world.”

Hour-long sessions will be offered at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. All supplies will be provided, and a $5 fee applies. Ages 12 and older are welcome. Advance registration is required by calling 765-649-8128.

Mounds State Park is located at 4306 Mounds Rd., Anderson, IN 46017.

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.