Indiana Department of Natural Resources press release
Wildlife Management staff at Patoka Lake have selected the 2020-2021 waterfowl resting area access dates for the 2020-2021 Migratory Waterfowl Hunting Seasons.
Patoka Lake’s 8,800-acre water body and 17,200 acres of land offers waterfowl hunters abundant opportunities to hunt open water, tributaries, marshes, and fields for various migrating waterfowl. Patoka Lake has three managed Waterfowl Resting Areas (WRAs) that can offer distinctive opportunities for hunters.
Similar to past years, the Sycamore Creek WRA will be closed to any and all forms of waterfowl hunting from Sept. 1, 2020 through Feb. 28, 2021. In addition, the Sycamore Creek WRA will have public access restrictions. There will be no legal access for hunting, fishing, trapping, or boating (motorized or non-motorized) within Sycamore Creek WRA from Nov. 1, 2020 through Feb. 28, 2021. The intent of this public access restriction is to allow Sycamore Creek WRA to act as a temporary wildlife refuge for waterfowl, offering them a place of little disturbance.
Wall’s Ramp WRA and Allen Creek WRA will be open to hunting (including waterfowl hunting), fishing, trapping, and boating (motorized or non-motorized) on the following specific days, Nov. 1, 2020 through Feb. 28, 2021.
In November, 1, 7, 8, 13, 14, 19, 20, 24, 25, 28 and 28.
In December, 5, 6, 11, 12, 17, 18, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 31.
In January, 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 13, 14, 18, 19, 23 and 24
In February, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13 and 14
All hunters must sign-in at one of the 19 hunter sign-in stations on the property. Hunter sign-in is mandatory, and failure to sign-in and return a One-Day Hunter Check-in Card properly may result in a fine. All game taken must be recorded on a One-Day Hunter Check-in Card that is to be carried with you as you hunt. The card is to be turned in at the end of the day, even if no game were harvested. Please be sure to return the card to the same hunter sign-in station where you originally signed in. This system provides valuable wildlife management information.
Special federal, state, and property regulations must be followed — visit Hunting.IN.gov for details. Hunters are encouraged to contact DNR Law Enforcement at 812-837-9536 regarding specific questions on federal or state laws, statutes, and/or rules. Maps of the Waterfowl Resting Areas can be picked up at the Patoka Lake Main Office.
Hunters may find additional information by visiting the Division of Fish & Wildlife Migratory Gamebird Seasons and Regulations webpage at hunting.IN.gov/3569.htm, or by calling Patoka Lake at 812-685-2464 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and asking to speak to the property wildlife specialist.
Patoka Lake (on.IN.gov/patokalake) is at 3084 N. Dillard Road, Birdseye, IN 47513.