Glendale FWA is dedicated to providing quality hunting and fishing opportunities while maintaining 8,060 acres of land and over 1,400 acres of lakes and impoundments. Located in Daviess County, Glendale FWA has fishing in Dogwood lake and other ponds. The area also has hunting, wildlife watching, camping, wetland trapping, and dog training areas and blackberries, persimmon, hickory nuts, morels and walnut gathering.        Indiana crappie     Martinsville Indiana

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Greene-Sullivan State Forest is composed of 8,000 acres of reclaimed surface mined land that includes the planting of several different species of trees that are managed for wildlife and timber production. The forest has more than 100 fishing lakes which have produced some record catches. Facilities include an archery range, boat launch ramp, camping, horseman's camp, dumping station, fishing and hunting, picnicking, trails and hiking.

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Greene-Sullivan State Forest is composed of 8,000 acres of reclaimed surface mined land that includes the planting of several different species of trees that are managed for wildlife and timber production. The forest has more than 100 fishing lakes which have produced some record catches. Facilities include an archery range, boat launch ramp, camping, horseman's camp, dumping station, fishing and hunting, picnicking, trails and hiking.

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Hovey Lake is an oxbow lake form around 500 years ago by the Ohio River. The lake is located in Hovey Lake FWA, 8.3 miles south of Mt. Vernon on SR 69. Excellent fishing opportunities exist for white crappie and channel catfish. Other species include bluegill, freshwater drum, blue catfish, redear sunfish, sauger, common carp, flathead catfish, largemouth bass, black crappie and white bass.

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Three man-made lakes offer 400 acres of water for Indiana fishing and boating while a new family aquatic center provides swimming fun at Shakamak State Park. About two-thirds of the campsites are in a wooded area, offering a cool shade in the summer and beautiful fall colors in autumn. Nearby is a playfield area for family fun. A popular feature of the park is the group camp. Shakamak has many facilities for outdoor fun including boat launch ramps, a saddle barn, cabins, camping, cultural arts programs, a dumping station, fishing, hiking, an interpretive center and seasonal interpretive services. In addition, the property offers picnicking, paddleboat and rowboat rentals, recreation building rentals, reservable shelters, a swimming pool and waterslide, tennis and youth tent areas.

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Located in Summit Lake State Park, Summit Lake is approximately four miles north of New Castle, Indiana.  Bluegill, perch and largemouth bass provide the best angling opportunities at Summit Lake. Other opportunities also exist for perch, bluegill, crappie, redear and channel catfish.

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Located in Union County, Whitewater Memorial State Park has two lakes including Whitewater Lake and nearby Brookville Lake. Facilities include a boat launch ramp, motor boats (electric trolling only) camping with reservations, horseman's camp, cultural arts programs, a dumping station, fishing, hiking, seasonal interpretive services, picnicking, canoe, paddleboat and rowboat rentals, reservable shelters, youth tent areas and a swimming beach.

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The Tippecanoe River is a haven for warblers, red-headed woodpeckers, bobwhites and wild ducks. This quiet river surrounded by nature is enjoyed by sportsmen and others attracted by its environment. Also of interest are the many aquatic grasses which are unique to the Tippecanoe.

The river's energy was harnessed early to turn mill wheels which were used to grind wheat. Today man still harnesses its energy to provide electricity. Two large dams were built in the mid 1920's along and below Monticello and have created Lake Shafer and Lake Freeman. These lakes, although designed for the creation of electricity, are use extensively for recreation. The river passes by the Potawatomi Village where the Indians in 1832 signed away for the last time their rights to Indiana soil. The Indians' great defeat to General William Henry Harrison in 1811 is marked by the Battleground Memorial.

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For more up-to-date maps and additional information on the Wabash River, please visit the Wabash Heritage Corridor Commission Web site.

The Wabash has always been Indiana's most famous river. Occupying the heartland of the state, the river drains two-thirds of the 92 counties as it flows over 475 miles to its confluence with the Ohio below Mount Vernon. The river rises in Ohio near Fort Recovery and flows for only thirty miles before it becomes entirely an Indiana River.   Shanty shootout

It is a river of many faces and moods. At times it occupies a huge valley which was carved by a glacial runoff but it also flows through a partially filled valley formed before the glacial advances. In its upper stretches the Wabash moves across the fertile, flat land in a narrow, shallow trench.

The Indians had called it the Wah-Bah Shik-Ki which meant "pure white." When the French arrived they corrupted the word be calling it "Quabache" and eventually of course, the settlers anglicized the word by spelling it "Wabash." But it was the Indians who first occupied the banks of the Wabash and many important villages were located along its length. French explorers, missionaries and fur traders were the first white men to arrive on the scene and the Wabash soon became the great trade route linking the lower Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. Much of the struggle for control of the New World by the French and British took place along the Wabash and later it was the scene of George Rogers Clark's surprise defeat of the British which eliminated the British hold on the Northwest Territory. The elimination of the British left the pioneer Hoosiers with only the Indians to contend with. In 1811, Governor William Henry Harrison and his army defeated Tecumseh at the Battle of Tippecanoe near Lafayette. This victory which should later launch the campaign slogan "Tippecanoe and Tyler, Too" probably propelled Harrison to the Presidency.

The river was not only the site of war and bloodshed, it was also a center of learning and social advance. This "civilizing" influence was epitomized by the Rappites, a religious group that formed a communal colony at New Harmony on the lower Wabash. Their experiment lasted 10 years until they sold their holdings to Robert Owen who initiated another communal colony which was based upon education and science rather than religion. Owen's work at New Harmony was short-lived but led to the birth of the Geological Survey and the concept of free public schools.

Of course, the Wabash's greatest contribution to the growth of Indiana was its role as a vital transportation link. When the river proved to be too unreliable, the Wabash-Erie Canal, America's longest, was built along the river. Soon after completion the coming of the locomotive in 1865 resulted in the doom of the canal. It left a long lasting heritage however, in the diverse ethnic groups who came to work on the canal and then stayed to settle in the valley. The "canal towns" which developed soon became industrialized and their focus changed from the transportation of goods to the production of goods.

A little known fact is that during the early 1900's the Wabash and the city of Vincennes in particular was a center of pearling activity. Mussels in the river were gathered in huge quantities to be used in the manufacture of buttons from the shells. Finding pearls in the mussels set off an unprecedented rush of activity. Most were imperfect and of little value but occasionally pearls in the $700 to $4000 class were found.

A trip down any other river in the state will not give as complete a view of Indiana as the Wabash. You will not experience a pristine natural environment (except in isolated sections) but you will see Indiana today and a glimpse of the past. The river is usually muddy and slow moving as it drains much of Indiana's fertile farmland. This factor alone should not deter you from trying the Wabash. The upper end of the Wabash is very shallow with numerous log jams clogging the river and making navigation of the river tiring in all but high water (and then it may be dangerous).

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The wildcat creek waterway has many recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. The state of Indiana (IDNR) recognizes most of the creek system as scenic waterway. The waterways provide all sorts of recreational, historical, as well as geological attractions. This area is home to a wide variety of native Indiana plants and animals that may be viewed along the banks. Indiana wildflowers that may be seen from the creek may include bluebells, dutchman's breeches, hepatica, bloodroot, trillium, spring beauty, and violets. Many hardwoods in a verity of successional stages can be seen include silver maples, oaks, sycamores, redbuds, green and white ash, American elm, willow, tulip poplar, walnuts, paw-paw, and cottonwoods. The wildlife that can be observed can include great blue herons, green herons, wood ducks, mallards, great horned and barred owls, redheaded woodpeckers, Baltimore orioles, yellow finches, kingfishers, red-tailed red-shouldered hawks, kestrels, turkey vultures, Canadian geese, as well as osprey. Mammals such as beaver, woodchucks, muskrats, fox, coyote, white tailed dear, raccoons. Varieties of fish that may be found in the waterways may include large and small mouth bass, catfish, gar, carp, and panfish.

The Wildcat Creek Foundation also has a very good guide for this section of river with location maps and trip reports, just click here.

The wildcat creek system consists of three forks (North, South, Middle). All the forks flow in an east to west direction. Often water levels very on all three forks depending on the season, spring having the higher levels and late summer/early fall having lower levels. The South Fork of the wildcat begins in Carroll County flowing through north-central Indiana crop lands, pastures, forests, as well as developed areas for about ten miles into Tippecanoe County. The south fork often has less water compared to the north fork but still allows for great canoeing and fishing. The south fork eventually meets up with the north fork at First Wildcat Park.

The North Fork begins for canoeists at the Adams Mill Public Access and ends in the Wabash River near Lafayette. The north fork has the larger flow of water of the three waterways. Along the creek you can find six public access sites starting at Adams Mill and ending with Davis Ferry on the Wabash. The north fork also offers great fishing as well as viewing of wildlife.

The Middle Fork is not as easily accessible as the other two forks. A number of obstacles make this fork more difficult for the average canoeist. An experienced canoeist may find the creek challenging if water levels are cooperative.

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The Whitewater River may have been misnamed because there is really no true white water on the river. However, there are many rapids due to the steep gradient present. In fact, the Whitewater is said to be the swiftest river in the state as it falls an average of six feet per mile.

It rises is southern Randolph and Wayne Counties and flows in two main branches which are scarcely 10 miles apart as they flow southward before joining at Brookville. From here the Whitewater flows southeasterly into Ohio where it eventually joins the Miami River, a tributary of the Ohio River. The watershed is generally steep, dissected land with farming taking place in the bottomlands and gently rolling uplands. Natural forest vegetation is limited to the banks of the watercourses and other slopes too steep to cultivate. The river was formed as the retreating glacial ice sheet dumped its meltwater to flow toward the Ohio River. Thick deposits of sand and gravel resulted and still characterize the river's bottom today.

The Whitewater Valley is rich in history, having been the first area in Indiana to be settled. Indian burial mounds on the highest hills testify to an even older historical significance. "Canal fever" struck in Indiana in the 1830s as a way to move goods and people. The Whitewater Canal was part of the vast internal improvement program undertaken by the State of Indiana. The program eventually sent the state into bankruptcy but the Whitewater Canal was completed by a private company. A fourteen-mile section of the original seventy-six mile canal is preserved from Laurel to Brookville as a state memorial. This memorial at Metamora features a working mill, a covered wooden aqueduct, a series of locks and a canal boat ride. An historic Whitewater Canal and River Trace (trail) generally follows the canal, providing a pleasurable hike.

At the close of the Civil War, the Whitewater Valley Railroad laid its tracks on the canal towpath. Today a scenic railroad operates on weekends to provide an authentic steam-engine train ride from Connersville to Brookville. Tourists, hikers and canoeists all make use of the railroad. Metamora has become a center of historical activity and is becoming a mecca for those interested in a view of the past and the opportunity to shop for art and antique items.

A number of recreational areas are located in the vicinity. Whitewater State Park lies astride Silver Creek, a tributary of the East Fork. The park has a 195 acre reservoir and offers swimming, fishing, boating, camping, and horse and hiking trails. Martindale State Fishing Area is a 25-acre facility located near Greensfork on a tributary of the same name. A dam on the East Fork of the Whitewater near Brookville has created a 5,260 acre reservoir providing opportunities for swimming, boating, hunting, fishing, camping, and related activities. Fishing on both forks and the main stem of the Whitewater is generally quite good. Species such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rock bass, channel catfish, crappie and carp are all available to the fishermen. Brookville Reservoir offers an added bonus of walleyes and muskellunge.

For the purpose of stream canoeing, we have limited our evaluation to the West Fork of the Whitewater River. The Brookville Reservoir comprises a major portion of the East Fork, and that portion left in its natural state is not usually canoeable during the dry summer months.

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The West Fork of the White rises as an insignificant creek near the Ohio border in central Indiana and winds gently westward. By the time it passes Muncie, however, it is a substantial river. Near the center of the state it abruptly turns south as it builds from the strength of hundreds of creeks and streams. One of those, Fall Creek, marks the chosen site for the state capital. Indianapolis now overshadows the confluence with the landmarks of urbanization.

Further south the scenery changes to a broad, more open valley, but soon the river passes through hill country as it travels into Martinsville Indiana. The valley opens once more as the river continues its southwestern flow through Indiana's southern coal fields and sandy farmland. The West and East Forks finally combine to form the boundary between three counties as the White River flows another fifty miles to feed the Wabash.

The banks of the West Fork are lined with woods of varying depth and include species such as maples, oaks, sycamore, river birch, cottonwood and others. As the season permits one may see Canada geese, cranes, ducks, deer, muskrat, fox and herons in addition to the usual numbers of squirrels, turtles, groundhogs and other common animals. Fishing in the stream varies from section to section with possibilities for largemouth and smallmouth bass, catfish, perch and crappie.

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The East Fork of the White River begins in Columbus, Indiana and meanders 200 miles before joining the West Fork of the White near Petersburg to complete the remaining 50 miles to the Wabash River. Actually, the East Fork is formed well above Columbus by the Driftwood and Flatrock Rivers and further north by the Big Blue and Sugar Creek.

The East Fork often narrows as it fights its way south and west through unglaciated, rocky terrain. This is in marked contrast with the West Fork which flows through the glaciated section of Indiana accounting for a more broad and less rugged valley. The river traveler is treated to a great many sandbars, picturesque islands and interesting wildlife, not to mention the good fishing available. A river of more that 200 miles cannot be described in a paragraph, however. The river and its valley go through subtle as well as drastic changes in its journey to meet the sister fork.

Twelve day-long trips have been outlined below to help you adequately explore this beautiful river.

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St. Joseph River (South Bend)

The St. Joe River and its tributaries drain approximately 2,600 square miles in southwestern Michigan and 1,685 square miles in northern Indiana. Located primarily in Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, the river is home to thirty-six species of fish, as of a 1989 DNR survey. Angling opportunities are available for a number of sport fish including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, rock bass, walleye and bluegill. The lower 13 miles of the river from the state line upstream to the Twin Branch Dam also provides steelhead and salmon fishing.

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One of two St. Joseph Rivers in Indiana, this gentle river flows to Fort Wayne from Ohio. Flowing so slowly it seems still in places, the "St. Joseph of the Maumee" flows through Fort Wayne's developed suburbs and finally into the heart of the urban area.

The river owes its existence to the glaciers which scoured the region and then spread acres of sand, gravel and boulders over the ground surface. The resulting lakes, ponds and marshes fed their waters to the St. Joseph River which emerged as a wide, slow-flowing stream. The character of the river corridor alternates between hardwood forest and fertile farmland. Flooding is a rare occurrence because the flow is controlled by the many natural lakes at the headwaters

The St. Joe River and its tributaries drain approximately 2,600 square miles in southwestern Michigan and 1,685 square miles in northern Indiana. Located primarily in Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, the river is home to thirty-six species of fish, as of a 1989 DNR survey.Angling opportunities are available for a number of sport fish including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, rock bass, walleye and bluegill. The lower 13 miles of the river from the state line upstream to the Twin Branch Dam also provides steelhead and salmon fishing.

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