Hoosier angler Rex Remington caught an 8-pound, 4-ounce smallmouth bass on Monroe Lake on March 3, smashing the previous record set in 1992 at Twin Lake in LaGrange County by one pound. The new record fish was released alive back into Monroe Lake.

Smallmouth bass are one of Indiana’s three species of black bass, along with largemouth bass and spotted bass. Pound for pound, smallmouth are known among anglers as the most spirited fighters of the black bass. Many anglers associate smallmouth bass with streams and natural lakes, but several Indiana reservoirs consistently have smallmouth catches, including Patoka and Brookville, in addition to Monroe.

Fishing for smallmouth in lakes is best in early spring, as they feed aggressively before spawning. As water temperatures warm, smallmouth move into rocky points and flat rocky areas. They are opportunistic carnivores, consuming insects, crayfish, and fish. Lures imitating prey, such as spinnerbaits, crayfish-patterned crankbaits, surface lures, and live minnows or crayfish are effective.

Monroe Lake, in Monroe County just 10 miles south of Bloomington, is Indiana’s largest reservoir at 10,750 acres and has nine public boat ramps. More information is at on.IN.gov/monroelake.

Natural Resources Commission seeks input on otter trapping rule changes

Indiana’s Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has opened a public comment period for proposed changes to the state’s river otter trapping rules before its members vote on their final adoption. If adopted, the changes would take effect this November, in time for river otter trapping season.

Public comments can be submitted online at IN.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket by locating the “Submit Comments Here” link in the Rulemaking Docket for the River Otter Trapping Rule. Comments can also be mailed to:

Natural Resources Commission, Indiana Government Center North, 100 North Senate Ave., Room N103, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

The deadline for submitting public comments is April 11. A public hearing will also be held on April 11 from 4-8 p.m. ET in the Roosevelt Ballroom at Fort Harrison State Park Inn, 5830 North Post Road, Indianapolis. You can attend in person or online anytime during the timeframe. To attend online, starting at 4 p.m. on April 11, go to Microsoft Teams and enter Meeting ID 225 955 437 243 and Passcode xGYyKo.

Individuals can sign up for updates online at wildlife.IN.gov/rule-regulation-changes.

Indiana’s DNR is proposing to open regulated otter trapping statewide but keep all other otter trapping regulations like statewide quota, bag limits, reporting, and tagging the same. Indiana DNR values river otters and recognizes their value to the state’s citizens.

“We take the responsibility of balancing differing views regarding wildlife seriously and are thoughtful about making small, incremental changes to river otter rules,” said Indiana DNR’s furbearer and turkey program leader, Geriann Albers. “Indiana DNR is confident the changes will not negatively impact river otter populations, which staff will continue to monitor.

“The changes will allow people to handle emerging human-wildlife conflicts regarding river otters in counties previously not open to river otter trapping in the past, and simplify otter regulations.”

For more information on the proposed rule changes, visit wildlife.IN.gov/rule-regulation-changes.

In search of alligator snapping turtles In Indiana

One of our Indiana Conservation Officers, Max Winchell is working on a project concerning Indiana turtles – particularly alligator snapping turtles. If anyone has heard of sightings or reports of alligator snapping turtles, Winchell would like to hear about it. Confirmed sightings and first-hand accounts would be the best, but Winchell is even interested in rumors about the large turtles. Sightings don’t have to be recent – even historical accounts are of interest. Photos would be even better.

The historical accounts have all been on the Wabash River, White River (1991) and Patoka Rivers and possibly as late as 2012. The Ohio River and connected waterways like Hovey Lake also provide good alligator snapping turtle habitat.

If anyone else has knowledge of one of the endangered turtles, please let Tom Berg, Hoosier Outdoor Writers executive director, or Winchell know.

“It is my opinion,” Winchell said, “if a fisherman caught an 80-150 pound turtle, there is a good chance that he got his mug in the paper holding it. It is even more likely that someone has a picture at home of their grandpa holding an AST from years ago. I just don’t know how to find that picture or that news article.”

Any help would be appreciated. Winchell can be reached at MWinchell@dnr.IN.gov and Berg at thomas.berg@comcast.net.

Readers can contact the author by writing to this publication, or e-mail at jackspaulding@hughes.net.

Spaulding’s books, “The Best Of Spaulding Outdoors” and “The Coon Hunter And The Kid,” are available from Amazon.com as a paperback or Kindle download.