Rob Copeland and Matt Williams mapped Wildcat Creek near Lafayette.
The north and south forks of Wildcat Creek have been mapped in a multi-year project of DNR's trails and stream unit according to Dale Brier, team leader.
An on-line, printable (PDF) version of the map is available on the Web at www.IN.gov/dnr/outdoor/canoe/wildcat/index.htm.
"The Wildcat is a very special waterway since it has the 'scenic' designation," Brier said, "but also because of the diverse wildlife and plant communities you can find while canoeing and kayaking."
The waterways provide all sorts of recreational, historical, as well as geological attractions. Native plants include Virginia bluebells, Dutchman's breeches, hepatica, bloodroot, trillium, spring beauty, and violets.
Many hardwoods in a variety of successional stages can be seen including silver maples, oaks, sycamores, redbuds, green and white ash, American elm, willow, tulip poplar, walnuts, paw-paw, and cottonwoods.
Observable wildlife include great blue herons, green herons, wood ducks, mallards, great horned and barred owls, redheaded woodpeckers, Baltimore orioles, yellow finches, kingfishers, red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks, kestrels, turkey vultures, Canada geese as well as osprey.
Mammals such as beaver, woodchucks, muskrats, fox, coyote, white tailed deer and raccoon are abundant. Fish include large and smallmouth bass, catfish, gar, and carp.
Brier said nine public access sites are listed on the Web site with driving directions, water trip times and mileage, plus tips on portage and navigation.
Twenty-four Indiana
canoe trails are listed on the DNR's Outdoor Recreation Web site.
