Indianapolis, Indiana – In a major initiative to enhance the state’s fishing environment, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has successfully completed its annual stocking of striped and hybrid striped bass. This year, more than 168,000 fish fingerlings have been distributed across 12 lakes throughout Indiana, ensuring that anglers will have improved fishing opportunities in the years to come.
The fingerlings, averaging about 1.5 inches in length, were released into various lakes as part of the DNR’s ongoing efforts to maintain healthy and diverse fish populations. The stocked bass species, which are popular among recreational anglers, include both striped and hybrid striped bass. These fish are known for their aggressive fighting style and are a prized catch in Indiana’s lakes.
The stocking program covered a wide range of lakes, with varying quantities of bass released depending on the lake’s size and location. Among the notable lakes that received stockings this year was Worster Lake in St. Joseph County, where 3,270 hybrid striped bass were added. Nearby Gilbert Lake in Marshall County received 370 hybrid striped bass. Other lakes receiving the bass fingerlings included Cedar Lake in Lake County, which saw 7,810 hybrids, and Lake Shafer in White County, with 12,910 hybrids.
The initiative also reached a number of other lakes across Indiana, including larger bodies of water like Monroe Lake in Monroe and Brown counties, which saw the release of 53,750 hybrid striped bass. Similarly, Patoka Lake, which spans across Dubois, Crawford, and Orange counties, received 44,000 hybrid striped bass. Other lakes such as Cecil M. Harden Lake in Parke County and Hardy Lake in Scott County also benefited from the program, receiving striped bass in addition to hybrids.
The DNR’s commitment to improving fishing opportunities is evident in the diversity of the lakes selected for stocking, which range from small ponds to larger reservoirs. By strategically releasing striped and hybrid striped bass into these lakes, the DNR is working to create long-term, sustainable fishing opportunities for Indiana anglers.
“These stockings will improve the quality of fishing for striped and hybrid striped bass in Indiana, allowing anglers to enjoy better catches in the future,” said a DNR spokesperson. “With over 168,000 fish added to our lakes, we are enhancing the ecosystem and ensuring that anglers will have plentiful opportunities to fish for years to come.”
The program is not just about stocking fish but is also part of a broader effort to promote healthy aquatic environments. By carefully selecting the fish species and stocking sites, the DNR aims to balance fish populations, minimize overcrowding, and ensure that the lakes can sustain these species in the long term.
For those eager to test their luck, the DNR encourages anglers to visit the stocked lakes and enjoy the enhanced fishing opportunities. The DNR also reminds anglers to purchase a fishing license, available online through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources website. For more information on striped and hybrid striped bass fishing, including tips and best practices, anglers can visit bit.ly/striped-hybrid-bass-fishing.
The successful stocking is part of the DNR’s ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance Indiana’s natural resources for future generations. With 12 lakes now home to a significant number of striped and hybrid striped bass, anglers across the state can look forward to exciting fishing experiences in the years to come.
For further updates on DNR programs and releases, visit dnr.IN.gov.
