The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has officially opened nearly 3,950 acres of permanently protected land in Sullivan County for visitors to enjoy. Known as Busseron Creek Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA), the land includes forests, woodlands, marshes, swamps, lakes, and grasslands. 

“Today’s a day for the record books,” said Suzanne Jaworowski, Indiana Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources. “With the addition of nearly 4,000 acres of permanently protected Indiana landscape, Hoosiers and wildlife alike gain an expansive natural place ready for exploration. I’m thankful for the many partners who came together to achieve this record achievement in conservation.” 

The permanently conserved land was once part of the former leased Minnehaha FWA. Indiana’s DNR paid $10.8 million for the property, a total including funding support from hunters, trappers, and recreational shooters via the Wildlife Restoration Program. The U.S. Navy paid an additional $910,000 to support a conservation easement on a portion of the land through the Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration program, and a $600,000 grant from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through Walmart’s Acres for America program also supported the acquisition.

“The Conservation Law Center is excited to lead an incredible project like this through the Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape partnership, which brings together private, state, and federal funding to unite around a common vision of strengthening national security, enhancing conservation, and supporting thriving rural landscapes,” said Michael Spalding, coordinator of the Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape.

The land will provide key habitat for wildlife including turkey, deer, waterfowl, rabbit, quail, and numerous species of migratory songbirds. DNR has established hunting units, parking areas, and access trails and will continue adding infrastructure to improve visitor accessibility on site. 

For more than 30 years, DNR leased this property, operating it as Minnehaha FWA. In 2016, the property owner declined to renew its lease with the state, and Minnehaha FWA closed. The property is located near the Lake Glendora Test Facility, an area of NSA Crane operated by NSWC, Crane Division.

Midwest Walleye Challenge

Indiana anglers are invited to participate in the 2025 Midwest Walleye Challenge, a virtual fishing tournament offering the opportunity to win prizes and contribute to fisheries management while providing Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries biologists with valuable data on the state’s walleye, sauger, and saugeye populations. 

The tournament kicked off on April 1 and ends June 29. Only catches of walleye, sauger, and saugeye count in the tournament.

The Midwest Walleye Challenge was piloted in Iowa three years ago. Additional Midwest states have joined in adding to the larger fisheries research project, creating a region-wide citizens science opportunity.

There’s a $25 registration fee to enter, with biweekly cash prizes available. Participants have a chance to win a grand prize at the end of the tournament.

Anglers can submit catches and their time on the water for multiple categories, including a “Tough Luck” category for anglers logging fishing trips but don’t catch anything, a “Most Waterbodies Fished” category for anglers logging trips from multiple rivers, lakes, and streams, and a standard “Longest Fish” category, in addition to random prize drawings for all participants.

Participants use the free mobile app, MyCatch, to submit photos of their catch on a measuring device so length and species may be determined. Once the photo is reviewed, and the catch is confirmed, it will appear on a live leaderboard so anglers can see their current tournament ranking.

Those interested in participating can view the rules and register at anglersatlas.com/event/840 or with the MyCatch app.  For more information visit:  wildlife.IN.gov/fishing/walleye-fishing/#Tournament_Details.

‘till next time,  

Jack

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.