It is illegal to sort fish within your bag limit. Do not dispose of unwanted fish within your bag limit by dumping dead or dying fish in waterways. Most sportfish populations in Indiana can withstand a harvest. If there is evidence that the harvest is negatively affecting the size, growth rate or age distribution of that species, fisheries regulations are adjusted to protect the population through slot limits or limits on fishing gear. While many anglers in Indiana are fishing for recreational purposes, there are also anglers that fish for subsistence.
Fishing provides a healthy and inexpensive means of supplementing food resources.
If you have further questions about a particular species or location, please feel free to refer them to the fisheries biologist who covers the counties of interest. There are no restrictions on fishing hours. Some lakes do have restrictions on boat speeds during certain hours. The Fishing Guide provides information on current fishing regulations and allowable gear. Eligible species for the official competition are on an established list of the most common sportfish in Indiana.