DESCRIPTION

Roush Lake Fish and Wildlife area is dedicated to providing quality hunting and fishing opportunities while maintaining 7,347 acres of land, 900 acre lake, and 350 acres of impoundments. The property is a long narrow band along the Wabash River approximately 15 miles long.

Roush Lake was constructed in 1967 and is one of the three Upper Wabash Valley Lakes operating primarily as a unit with Mississinewa and Salamonie Lakes to control flood waters along the Wabash River Basin and secondarily with other lakes downstream in reduction of lower Wabash and Ohio River floods. The lake provides benefits to nearly 60,000 acres of agricultural lands and general recreation activities associated with hunting and fishing. The Corps of Engineers partners with Indiana Department of Natural Resources under a lease agreement. Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife operates and maintains the recreation facilities and wildlife areas at the lake. Roush Lake was operated by Indiana Division of Reservoirs until 1998 and then by the Indiana Division of State Parks and Reservoirs until 2010.

Most revenues used in land acquisition, development, operation and maintenance of the Roush Lake Fish and Wildlife Area is derived from the sale of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses. Funds are also derived from the federal Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson programs to aid fish and wildlife restoration. These funds are derived from taxes levied on the sport hunting and fishing equipment. Indiana hunters and fisherman are proud to provide this property for the enjoyment of all people.

ACTIVITIES

Fishing

• Roush Lake Fish and Wildlife Area has 15 miles of river and 200 acres of impoundments open to fishing.
• No check in is required for fishing
• Primary species in the main lake include channel catfish, crappie, white bass, largemouth bass, small mouth bass, and rough fish in the main lake. Walleye below the dam in the river. Impoundment specie include largemouth bass, bluegill, and redear sunfish
• Motorized boats are allowed on Roush Lake only. Please utilize concrete boat ramp located off of state highway 224 at Kil-So-Quah Recreation Area. No swimming allowed at ramp. Non-motorized boats and electric motors are allowed on both Roush Lake and its impoundments. No ramps provided on impoundments.
• Shoreline fishing is available at boat ramp and around the main lake and impoundments.
• There is a 14 inch size limit for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
• On Rock Creek smallmouth bass is catch and release only.
• See Fishing Regulations for details.

Hunting

• Hunting for furbearers, deer, rabbit, squirrel, waterfowl, dove, pheasant, and wild turkey is common at Roush Lake Fish and Wildlife Area.
• Daily check-in is required. All hunting seasons and bag limits apply.
• Special hunts include morning dove, turkey hunting and put-take pheasant hunts.
• Area 22 is designated for dog training.
• Please respect private land owner’s property adjacent to our state land.

Shooting Range

• Shooting ranges are open to the public on a first come first serve basis during business hours of our range and only when certified range safety officers are on duty. Range fees will be charged. ($4.00/day adults, $2.00/day youth, and skeet range prices are $5.00 per round. Range is always closed on Mondays except for holidays. Hours of operation vary between seasons. Phone (260) 468-2165 

  • March 13th, 2011 through August 9:30 am - 7:00 p.m.
  • September –October 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • November until deer firearm season 9:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
  • After deer firearm season opens through February 28th 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Camping

• The campground has 25 electric sites and 67 primitive sites. All camp sites have fire rings and picnic tables. Camping is open all year on a first come first serve basis. The maximum stay is 14 days.
• Water fountains and pit toilets are available in the campground
• Camping, picnicking, and open campfires are allowed in the campground only. Picnicking is allowed at the Kil-So-Quah boat ramp area. Unloaded firearms, unstrung bows and arrows, and air guns maybe be possessed, but not used in the camping and picnic areas. No Swimming is allowed.

Wildlife Watching

• Roush Lake is a long narrow property along the flood plain of the Wabash River. It provides excellent wildlife watching throughout the year and the spring is great for waterfowl.

Neighboring Land

• Salamonie Reservoir managed by the Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs is located within 15 miles. Phone (260) 468-2125.

Additional Opportunities

• Wetland trapping is available through drawing only. Contact property staff for details
• Dog training is allowed in Area 22 (See Map)
• Additional hunting opportunities include youth hunts for deer, dove, turkey, and waterfowl. Put-and-take pheasant hunting starts the Saturday before Thanksgiving, with sign up on line starting September 1.
• Hunting areas accessible to persons with disabilities are available. Ask for details at office.
• A state-of-the-art shooting range is located at 1002 E. Division Road, Huntington, IN 46750, Phone (260) 468-2416.

NO Swimming Allowed.

Please Read and Obey All Signs.

RULES

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 by 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 hunting and or fishing license the following permits are required.
• Permission to hunt during the day on Roush Lake Fish and Wildlife Area must be obtained before entering the field. One day hunting permit cards must be in the possession of the hunter at all times. Bagged game must be reported through the check in station. Self service drop boxes are located throughout the property for your convenience. No shooting of woodchuck (groundhogs) is allowed.
• Dog training is available in area 22 only.
• Collecting Permits are required from the property manager or IDNR for the collection of everything except nuts, berries, and mushrooms.

Traffic

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

MAPS

• Roush Lake Fish and Wildlife Area Map

GALLERY

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