The Indiana Department of Natural Resources stocked rainbow trout in ponds in Fort Wayne and Huntington on Oct. 18-19.  Shoaff Park and Spy Run Creek in Fort Wayne received 200 fish, and Memorial Park in Huntington received 300 fish. The stocked fish will average 12 to 14 inches in length.

Shoaff Park is on Fort Wayne’s northeast side at 6401 St. Joe Road. The pond is at the west end of the park, along the St. Joseph River. Spy Run Creek is in Franke Park, across the parking lot from the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, at 3411 Sherman Boulevard.

Memorial Park features two ponds and is west of downtown Huntington at 1200 West Park Drive. Only the north pond was stocked. All anglers 18 and older must have a valid Indiana fishing license and trout stamp to fish. The catch limit per angler is five trout.

Reserved hunt applications open

Hunters may now apply for reserved hunts at on.IN.gov/reservedhunt, the one-stop information spot for the hunts. The hunts follow science-based wildlife management to maintain healthy wildlife populations for all people to enjoy. The online method is the only way to apply for the hunts listed below. No late entries will be accepted. Applicants must possess a hunting license for the hunt for which they apply.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on Oct. 27. More specific hunt information for individual properties is available on the reserved hunt webpage listed earlier.

Hunters will be selected through a random computerized drawing. An email will be sent to all applicants when draws have been completed. Applicants will be able to view draw results online within two weeks after the application period closes.

December Gamebird Habitat Area (GHA) hunts:

Reserved hunts on GHAs in northern Indiana (Benton, Jasper, Newton, Warren and White counties). Hunters may choose from a variety of hunt dates in November. The hunts are not put/take pheasant hunts but for wild birds.

Indiana Private Land Access Program (IPLA) hunts for waterfowl, deer, and small game. For a list of counties offering hunts, visit on.IN.gov/reservedhunt.

State Park Deer Management Hunts: Brown County State Park, Cave River Valley Natural Area, Chain O’Lakes State Park, Charlestown State Park, Clifty Falls State Park (Archery only), Fort Harrison State Park (Archery only), Harmonie State Park, Lincoln State Park, McCormick’s Creek State Park, O’Bannon Woods State Park, Ouabache State Park, Pokagon State Park, Potato Creek State Park, Prophetstown State Park, Raccoon State Park, Shades State Park, Shakamak State Park, Spring Mill State Park, Summit Lake State Park, Tippecanoe River State Park, Trine State Recreation Area (Archery only), Turkey Run State Park, Versailles State Park and Whitewater Memorial State Park.

Please note only one application per hunt is allowed. No changes may be made once an application is submitted. The application process is now consolidated into the online services website along with licenses, CheckIN Game, and HIP registration. An online account is not required to apply, but a Customer ID number is needed.

In the system, hunts without a registration fee will follow the same process as hunts with a fee. Applicants must add a hunt to their cart and place an order to submit their application. If the transaction total is $0, the applicant will not be asked to enter credit card information.

To view draw results, applicants can log into their online services account or click “View hunt draw results” on the website.

For questions related to State Park Deer Management Draw Hunts, please contact Anthony Sipes at asipes@dnr.IN.gov or 317-232-4128.

Monon Trail extension opens in Sheridan

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the town of Sheridan celebrated the completion of phase 1 of the Monon Trail extension in northern Hamilton County. The asphalt multi-use trail was constructed by the town of Sheridan with help from a $2,089,850 Next Level Trails grant.

“The Monon Trail is a shining example of the immense value we gain when folks work together to build trails,” said Dan Bortner, DNR director. “This iconic central Indiana trail runs more than 26 miles through multiple counties and communities, which requires collaboration to make possible. We’re proud to come alongside so many Hoosiers who use the Monon Trail daily to support this trail extension with Next Level Trails funding support.”

The new trail extends 0.75 miles north from the existing Monon Trail at State Road 47. The trail follows the historic railroad corridor north into the town center of Sheridan to 2nd Street.

Construction of Phase 1 included a new trailhead with parking at Ohio Street. To the south, the existing Monon Trail extends more than 26 miles and travels through Westfield, Carmel and Broad Ripple, ultimately terminating at 10th Street in downtown Indianapolis. Phase 2 will begin in 2025, extending the trail 1.1 miles north to the Hamilton/Boone county line, completing the trail within Hamilton County.

“This is an exciting time for the Sheridan community. We are thrilled to bring the Monon Trail to downtown Sheridan and to offer parking options for trail and downtown visitors at the new trail head,” said Silas DeVaney, Sheridan Town Council president. “Next year’s trail extension project will deliver the Monon to the Hamilton County boundary, and we are happy to pass the torch of extending this iconic park to Boone County. We would not have been able to accomplish this project without the Next Level Trails program.”

Readers can contact the author by writing to this publication or e-mail Jack at jackspaulding1971@outlook.com 

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.