The Fisheries Division of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will stock additional rainbow trout in six northern Indiana streams in the upcoming weeks: Pigeon River in Steuben County and at the LaGrange-Steuben county line; Turkey Creek in LaGrange County; Little Elkhart River in Elkhart County; Little Kankakee River and Slocum Ditch in LaPorte County; and Potato Creek in St. Joseph County.

Pigeon River, Turkey Creek and Little Elkhart River were stocked the weekend of May 12-13 and again on May 26-27. The Little Kankakee River, Potato Creek and Slocum Ditch were only stocked Memorial Day weekend.

In addition to the rainbow trout stockings, brown trout obtained from Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery in Kentucky were released at four locations in northeastern Indiana the week of May 21.

The bag limit for trout in inland waters, other than Lake Michigan and its tributaries, is five fish per day with a minimum size of 7 inches. No more than one of the trout can be a brown trout. In addition, brown trout taken from the Oliver Lake chain must be at least 18 inches in length.

Anglers ages 18 years and older will need an Indiana fishing license and a trout/salmon stamp to fish for trout.

DNR stocked 2,000 catfish for GoFishIN

Young anglers and urban fishermen can take advantage of the newly stocked catfish at city parks throughout Indiana. The DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife stocked 2,000 catchable-size channel catfish in its “Go FishIN in the City” urban fishing lakes this month.

Anglers age 18 and older must purchase a valid fishing license, unless otherwise exempt from needing a fishing license. Anglers age 17 and younger do not need a fishing license. Lake locations and other program information is at www.wildlife.IN.gov/7508.htm

The lakes, locations and stocking numbers are:

•Garvin Park Lake, Evansville, 200

•Diamond Valley Park Pond, Evansville, 225

•Dobbs Park Pond, Terre Haute, 200

•Krannert Park Lake, Indianapolis, 225

•Washington Township Park, Pond 2, Avon, 100

•Riverside Park Pond, Indianapolis, 200

•Meadowlark Pond, Carmel, 100

•Munger Park Pond, Lafayette, 150

•Robinson Lake, Hobart, 300

•Lakeside Park, Fort Wayne, 300

Grants for field trips to state parks, lakes

Educators interested in taking students in grades K-12 on field trips to an Indiana state park or state-managed lake in the 2018-19 school year can receive financial help through the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (INRF).

Grants from the Discover the Outdoors Fund are available for public, private, parochial or home-school educators, according to INRF Director Jody Kress.

“Part of our mission at the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation is to encourage educational programs of the DNR,” Kress said. “The grant gets kids outside for an adventure that teaches the importance of preserving and protecting our natural resources.”

Since the grant program’s inception in 2013, a total of 111 have been awarded, providing the opportunity for more than 8,000 students to visit state parks at less cost to the schools and students. Indiana has 24 state parks and eight state-managed lakes eligible for field trip funding.

The field trips will engage students in learning about Indiana's fish, forest, wildlife, natural habitats and conservation.

“These trips help children understand how previous generations viewed the significance of Indiana's natural and cultural resources, and at the same time let them make great memories that they will carry into adulthood,” said Ginger Murphy, deputy director for stewardship for DNR State Parks.

The maximum grant award is $250 per application. Applications are accepted from May 1-June 30 prior to the school year for which the grant is requested. Applications must be postmarked no later than June 30.

Applicants will be notified by August 15 regarding potential grant awards. The grant application form can be found at www.IN.gov/inrf/educate.html and a video explaining the program can be viewed at youtu.be/uC4QjhsBLO8

The INRF is accepting donations to the fund from individuals, businesses or anyone who supports the idea of getting kids outdoors. The fund was established in memory of Tom Huck, a longtime DNR employee who was an ardent supporter of outdoor experiences for children.

For further information, including how to donate, send an email to DiscoverOutdoorsGrants@dnr.IN.gov

Ouabache Junior Naturalist Day Camp

Children ages 8-12 who want to learn more about nature and share their knowledge with others can attend the Junior Indiana Master Naturalist Day Camp at Ouabache State Park, June 11-15.

The day camp runs from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, and until 1 p.m. on Friday. The day camp is sponsored by the Friends of Ouabache State Park group and Ouabache State Park.

The Junior Indiana Master Naturalist Program provides children with hands-on opportunities to learn about Indiana’s plants, water, soil and wildlife in an outdoor setting from natural resource specialists. It also provides a way to discover environmental stewardship through volunteer service.

The fee is $70 per student and $60 for each additional sibling. Students must register by June 4. The standard park entrance fee will be waived for students during class.

To register, or for more information, contact Jody Heaston, DNR Division of State Parks volunteer coordinator, at jheaston@dnr.IN.gov or 260-437-8650, or visit Ouabache State Park, located at 4930 E. St. Road 201, Bluffton, IN 46714.

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.