Indiana’s free fishing days are on May 21 and June 4 and 5.
What to know where to fish?
Check out Indiana DNR's Interactive Fish Map
Even though the first day of free fishing in the state of Indiana has passed, there are still three more opportunities quickly approaching for fishers to make those big catches without a fishing license.
Indiana’s free fishing days are on May 21 and June 4 and 5.
Indiana residents do not need a fishing license or a trout/salmon stamp to fish the state's public waters on free fishing days, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR). On all other days, only youth age 17 and younger and a few special anglers are exempt from the license requirement.
Ball State Bass Club president Travis Huffman said free fishing days are great to take the family out and for first-time fishers.
“It's free and you don't have to worry about having a license. This is for families and people who do not fish very often to get out for no price,” Huffman said.
Fishing is a sport everyone can get involved in, he said.
“People used to get involved with fishing because it's fun, relaxing, stress-free and can put delicious food on the table,” Huffman said. “Those are still some reasons, but competitive bass fishing is what we are doing at the Ball State Bass Club. The sport of bass fishing is becoming one of the top sports in the United States.”
If you are serious about fishing and want to participate in the sport more than just a few times a year, it's important to purchase a fishing license.
“A reason for getting a fishing license is simple. It is a law and you have to follow it,” Huffman said. “Hefty fines can be handed out to those fishing without proper licenses.”
To get a fishing license, all you have to do is go to stores like Walmart’s sporting goods section or online on the Indiana DNR website to purchase one. An annual fishing license costs around $17.
Funds from the sale of fishing licenses are used to conserve and manage fisheries resources in Indiana, according to Indiana DNR. All annual licenses and stamp privileges are valid from April 1 of the current year through March 31 of the following year.
One way to find a place to fish is to visit the interactive fishing map provided on the Indiana DNR website, or take the Bass Club’s advice on some of the best fishing spots around the Muncie area.
“There are several fisheries around Muncie — one is the White River,” Huffman said. “It's very close and has great smallmouth bass in it.”
Other options include Prairie Creek, Summit Lake, Geist and Morse Reservoir in Noblesville, and if you are interested in competitive fishing tournaments, there are two reservoirs to fish in Cicero, Indiana.
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