DNR stocked channel catfish and walleye this fall

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has stocked 70,000 channel catfish in 131 locations and 57,000 fall fingerling walleye in 11 locations since mid-October to expand fishing opportunities across the state.

The channel catfish range in size from 7-12 inches long. The fall fingerling walleye average 5 to 8 inches long, typically reaching 14 inches after two to three years of growth and 16 inches three to four years after stocking.

All stocked channel catfish were stocked in publicly accessible waters after being raised by Cikana (Morgan County), Driftwood (Jackson County), and East Fork (Daviess County) state fish hatcheries.

"Once stocked, channel catfish acclimate to their new environment and start biting quickly while the walleyes will take a few years to reach legal size," said fisheries biologist Tom Bacula.

Fall fingerling walleye were stocked in Big Turkey, Crooked, and Clear lakes (Steuben), Fish, Pine/Stone lakes (LaPorte), Loon and Sylvan lakes (Noble), Pretty and Wall lakes (Noble), Winona Lake (Kosciusko), and the St. Joseph River (St. Joseph). Those walleye were purchased from a commercial fish supplier and grown at Fawn River State Fish Hatchery. In addition to these lakes, there are multiple other lakes stocked with walleyes by privately funded lake associations. A stocking permit from DNR is needed to do any stocking.

Anglers are required to follow bag and size restrictions. In most lakes and reservoirs, the statewide regulation is 10 channel catfish per day with no more than one being longer than 28 inches. For walleye, the daily bag limit is six with a minimum size of 16 inches if caught north of State Road 26, and 14 inches if caught south of S.R. 26. A few lakes have a different bag limit, and they are listed in the Fishing Guide, along with all other fishing regulations, at on.IN.gov/fishingguide.

For all fish stocking locations and plans, visit on.IN.gov/fish-stocking.

Learn more about catfishing at wildlife.IN.gov/fishing/catfish-fishing.

Learn more about walleye fishing at on.IN.gov/walleye.

To view more DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.