DESCRIPTION

Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area is dedicated to providing quality hunting, wildlife viewing and trapping opportunities while maintaining 8,064 acres of prairie and marsh habitat.

Prior to the property being acquired by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the previous landowner entered into a permanent easement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This permanent easement was part of the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) and consisted of 7,200 acres. NRCS then assumed responsibility for the wetland restoration.

In October 2005, with the help of The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, Indiana Department of Transportation, United States Fish and Wildlife Service and many other organizations, IDNR purchased the 8,064-acre property including the 7,200 acres under permanent WRP easement, creating Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area.

ACTIVITIES

Fishing

• Fishing is allowed at Goose Pond FWA.
• Selected units may be closed to fishing and other activities at certain times throughout the year. Please obey all signs.
• No boat launching from a trailer is allowed. Canoes, kayaks and other small watercraft that can be carried and slid into the water are permissible.
• Boats are limited to a maximum 12-volt electric motor.

Hunting

• Waterfowl, quail, rabbit, dove and deer are common at Goose Pond FWA. There are also limited opportunities for squirrel and turkey hunting.
• Check-in is required for all hunting. Most hunting opportunities are allocated through drawings. Check at the headquarters for details on drawings.
• It is illegal to possess lead shot while in the field at Goose Pond FWA.
• Certain daily bag limits and shooting times at Goose Pond FWA are more restrictive than those allowed statewide. Check at the headquarters, the self-service booths or wildlife.IN.gov for more details.
• September 2013 draw schedule
  • Waterfowl Draw Map
  • Upland Game Draw Map
  • 2013 Dove Hunting Rules and Map
• October 2013 - February 2014 Waterfowl Draw Schedule

Wildlife Watching

• With nearly 5,000 acres of shallow water wetlands, 1,300 acres of prairie and over 30 miles of levees, Goose Pond FWA provides excellent wildlife watching opportunities.
• Over 260 bird species have been documented at Goose Pond FWA.
• Check-in is required for all activities at Goose Pond FWA.

Neighboring Land

• Greene-Sullivan State Forest offers hunting, fishing, camping and horseback riding opportunities.
• Redbird State Recreation Area offers Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) riding opportunities.
• Minnehaha Fish and Wildlife Area offers hunting, fishing, trapping and a shooting range.
• Hillenbrand Fish and Wildlife Area offers hunting, fishing and trapping

Additional Opportunities

• Some fishing is available in the wetland units.
• Accessible hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities are available. Ask for details at the headquarters.
• Trapping is available through a drawing held on the first Saturday in October.
• A Collection Permit is required for everything other than gathering of berries, mushrooms and nuts.

NO Camping and NO Swimming Allowed.

Please Read and Obey All Signs.

RULES

For your convenience below is a list of rules pertaining to various activities on the property. This list is not a comprehensive list of all property regulations but merely some of the most common rules/regulations that visitors inquire about. If you are planning to visit and have additional questions, we encourage you to call the office at (812) 659-9901.

General Hunting

• Self-service hunts at Goose Pond FWA are: Squirrel, Crow, Turkey, Deer Archery, Deer Muzzleloader, Frog, Snipe and Woodcock (only from Oct. 15 - 31), Dove after Sept. 3 and Light Geese during the Light Goose Conservation Order. All other hunts are draw hunts. Check at office or call (812) 659-990 for details.
• Possession of lead shot while in the field is prohibited.
• Sora season is closed.
  

Waterfowl Hunting

• There is a twenty-five (25) shell limit for waterfowl hunters.
• Waterfowl hunting ends at 12 pm on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Waterfowl hunting starts at 11:30 am on Wednesdays. Fields A through K are open for self-service hunting during the Light Goose Conservation Order and hunting ends at 12 pm daily.
• Light Geese (Snow/Ross) may only be hunted during the Central Zone Waterfowl Seasons and during the Light Goose Conservation Order
  

Dove Hunting

• Shooting hours for dove are 8 am - 1 pm from Sept. 1 - 3.
• There is a fifty (50) shell limit for dove hunting.
  

Upland Game (Quail, Rabbit and Woodcock)

• The daily bag limit for Quail is four (4)
• Shooting hours for Upland Game (Quail, Woodcock and Rabbit) are 9 am - 4 pm
  

Turkey Hunting

• Turkey hunting hours end at 1 pm Eastern.
• Turkey hunters must be out of the field by 2 pm Eastern
  

Boating, Fishing and Kayaking During Waterfowl Seasons

• During waterfowl season, only persons registered to hunt waterfowl or trap are permitted on the water.

In addition to state fish and wildlife laws, this property is governed by posted regulations affecting the public use of lands and facilities owned, leased or licensed by the Department of Natural Resources.

Posted Areas

Safety zones, refuges, waterfowl resting areas and other restricted areas are marked with appropriate signs. PLEASE READ AND OBEY ALL SIGNS.

Violations

Violation of any law, rule or regulation governing this property may be cause for forfeiting your hunting, fishing or visiting privileges on this area.

Responsibility

The Division of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, will not be held responsible for any accidents or deaths occurring from the use of these facilities.

Permits

In addition to a hunting and/or a fishing license the following permits are required:

• ALL property visitors on Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area are required to obtain a One Day Access Permit before entering the field. The One Day Access Permit cards must be in possession of each visitor and recorded through established check-in procedures outlined at the self-service booths and headquarters. Self-service booths and drop boxes are located on the property for your convenience.
  
• Written permission from the Fish and Wildlife Area headquarters is required to enter any waterfowl resting area.
  
• Partial closures may exist on selected areas at various times of the year. All fishing is closed during waterfowl seasons.
• A DNR Lake Permit is NOT required on Goose Pond FWA.

Traffic

• Traffic on public roads through the area is governed by state and county laws. Traffic over service roads and trails, except by authorized vehicles, is restricted to walking. Park in designated lots only.

MAPS

• Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area Map in Acrobat Reader format
• Bird List

GALLERY

VIDEO

• 3D Flyover Animation (QuickTime .mov file)

 

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