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Fish & Wildlife > Fishing > Fishing Guide & Regulations > Fishing Tournaments on Public Waters Fishing Tournaments on Public Waters

In Indiana fishing tournaments on public waters can only be regulated by the Department of Natural Resources. A county or city park department (or another local entity...such as a conservancy district) might place restrictions on the use of an access site, including restrictions pertaining to fishing tournaments. It is advisable to check with the owner/operator of the launch facility before planning your event to see what regulations apply.

A fishing tournament is defined (by Administrative Rule 312 IAC 2-4-2) as an activity involving fifteen (15) or more watercraft used for taking fish where:

  1. persons compete for a trophy, citation, cash, or prize; or
  2. a fee is charged to participants.

DNR Properties

DNR properties where fishing tournaments are managed include all the reservoir properties: Monroe, Salamonie, Mississinewa, Huntington, Brookville, Hardy, Patoka, Lieber and Raccoon lakes. Anyone wishing to hold a tournament on any of these lakes must contact:

DNR, State Parks and Reservoirs
Attn:  Fishing Tournament Administrator
402 West Washington St. Room W298
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2739
(317) 232-3345

Lake Wawasee and Syracuse Lake, Kosciusko County

Anyone wishing to hold a fishing tournament on Lake Wawasee and Syracuse Lake, Kosciusko County must contact:

Indiana Conservation Officers
District One Headquarters
Attn: Lt. John Sullivan
9822 North Turkey Creek Road
Syracuse, Indiana 46567
(574) 457-8092

Sylvan Lake, Noble County

Anyone wishing to hold a fishing tournament on Sylvan Lake in Noble Co. must contact:

Indiana Conservation Officers
District Two Headquaters
Attn: Sgt. William Snyder
1353 S. Governors Drive
Columbia City, IN 46725
(260) 244-3720

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