Fishing

Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Parks which offer fishing opportunities:

Angling & LEAVE NO TRACE

We ask that when angling at a Hamilton County Park to practice Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics. Please respect and take care of the environment leaving the area undisturbed and clear of trash so that future visitors can have an enjoyable experience. Please place used fishing line in a monofilament recycling station or a trash can to help protect native wildlife from injury or death. Help protect our parks and fisheries by following the 7 seven Leave No Trace Principles below:

PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE

  • Know the local fishing and boating regulations for the area where you’ll fish. Obtain licenses and stamps and have them with you.
  • Use a personal flotation device where required and/or appropriate.
  • Learn to identify the different species of fish in the area where you’ll be fishing.
  • Obey the limits and quantity of fish you are allowed to keep. Abide by regulations concerning types of bait and tackle permitted where you are fishing.
  • Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
  • Plan your trip to avoid times of high use.

TRAVEL AND CAMP ON DURABLE SURFACES

  • Durable surfaces include rock, gravel, water, and established trails.
  • Focus on areas where vegetation is absent.
  • Avoid trampling aquatic vegetation when wading. Refrain from wading in spawning areas when possible.
  • Enter and leave water sources at places where the banks are low or where there are gravel bars.

DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY

  • Pack it in, Pack it out. Inspect your fishing area for trash or spilled foods. Recycle all monofilament fishing line. Pack out all leftover live bait or bait cups, food and trash unless appropriate receptacles are available.
  • Avoid using lead sinkers and jigs.

LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND

  • When practicing catch and release, use barbless hooks and be sure to not injure the fish. Do not fight a fish to exhaustion, use a rod and line of sufficient strength, avoid suspending fish out of water by the fishing line. Keep fish in water when handling for release and do not touch gills.
  • Carry and use needle-nose pliers or hemostats for hook removal.

RESPECT WILDLIFE

  • Respect fish by humanely dispatching catches you are keeping with a quick blow to the back of the fish’s head with a rock or other solid object.
  • Refrigerate or eat fish quickly to avoid wasting them. Check local regulations on using stringers.
  • When practicing catch and release fishing, wet your hands before handling the fish to remove the hook and take a picture.

BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHER VISITORS

  • Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.

For questions, please contact Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Naturalist
Zach McNulty, zach.mcnulty@hamiltoncounty.in.gov or 317-774-2500.

Check The Chatterbox Leisure Guide for information on upcoming Leave No Trace and Fishing Programs.

Fishing License Portal: 

https://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/9339.htm 

Fish Consumption Information: 

http://www.eregulations.com/indiana/fishing/fish-consumption/

 

A special thank you to Spencer Burroughs of Troop 107 in Westfield, Indiana. Spencer compiled the content for this page and assembled the four monofilament recycling stations installed at Koteewi Lake for his Eagle rank project.