Resource Management

Resource management at the Upper Wabash Reservoirs involves managing the habitat to provide food, water and shelter for a variety of species. This includes monitoring sightings of wildlife and their health. Most often, property resource management centers on setting back succession in some areas, planting food and cover species, building wetlands and managing forested areas. Because different animals have different needs, a variety of wildlife management practices must be implemented, ranging from putting up bluebird houses and planting sunflowers to hunting and fishing. Visit Salamonie Lake, J. Edward Roush Fish and Wildlife Area, or Mississinewa Lake to see some resource management practices in action.

Reservoirs are places of change. When reservoir lands were purchased in the 1960's, the majority was farmland. The land gradually became forested as different plants began to appear in a process known as succession. During succession, an area will change from exposed soil to meadow, then to thicket and finally, to forest. Resource managers often set back succession and provide meadow areas by burning, plowing or bulldozing. These management practices provide a wide variety of habitat types to meet the needs of many different animals.

Wild roses, raspberries and blackberries grow in many areas on the three properties. These are food and shelter plants for both rabbits and deer. In some areas, autumn olive was planted when the reservoirs were established to provide food and cover for wildlife. Now, many of the shrubs that were originally planted for wildlife habitat have become aggressive and must be managed to provide the proper habitat. We now work to manage native food and cover sources and also plant food plots.

Food plots are planted by reservoir staff as additional food sources for wildlife. Plant types are varied to encourage use by different animals. GRAINS such as corn, sorghum and wheat, GRASSES like Kentucky bluegrass, redtop, and orchard grass; and especially LEGUMES like alfalfa, soybeans and lespedeza provide a variety of food. Some food plots are planted with specific animals in mind, such as sunflower plots planted around the properties for mourning doves. These fields provide food and habitat for many of the species found on the property. Goldfinches and songbirds use these fields by the hundreds, and deer, turkey, mice and coyotes are just a few of the others that are attracted to the food source.

Much of Indiana used to be hardwood forest, consisting of mostly beech, maple, oak and hickory trees. We manage forests for a variety of tree species that can provide food and homes for many animals. Most of Salamonie, Roush and Mississinewa properties were transformed from forested to farm ground many years before the reservoirs were built. Each property plants prairie plots, warm-season grasses and forbs (soft-stemmed plants other than grasses), to provide food and cover for many wildlife species. Prairie grasses grow in clumps, unlike lawn grasses. Spaces around these clumps allow small animals to move without being detected. Big bluestem and Indian grass are often planted here to encourage a diversity of wildlife. Prairie plantings are managed through frequent prescribed burns.

The reservoir itself provides homes and food sources for many animals. The large open space of the lake is prime habitat for various types of sport fish, including sunfish, crappie, catfish and walleye. Young walleye fingerlings have been stocked in the reservoirs for many years. Reservoir staff provide nesting structures, such as used Christmas trees for fish populations that move around as the lake fluctuates. Other animals, like frogs and turtles, prefer the small inlets of the reservoirs. At times, high water levels cause problems for resident species. Goose and turkey nests can be affected when water levels rise in the spring. Beaver lodges and muskrat dens need more stable waters. Wetlands are constructed on other areas of the property to provide for these animals. Most land animals do not find the lakes themselves useful for water access and come to these ponds or marshes instead.

Wetlands are the home of many familiar (and not-so-familiar!) animals. A variety of waterfowl find shelter in nearby tall weeds, as well as in artificial nesting boxes placed by reservoir staff. Larger animals eat aquatic insects, such as dragonfly and mayfly nymphs, and algae found in the pond. Aquatic insects found in the mud at the wetland's bottom can also tell us about the quality of the water. Look for families of geese in early summer, for migrating species in spring and fall, and for signs of our permanent residents in winter. Property staff continue to build marshes and ponds throughout the reservoirs' property.

Each of the three properties is divided into many smaller management units. Primary resource management units are designated in master plans as wildlife units and supplementary units are managed for wildlife and various recreational uses as well.
Hunters on the property must hunt in these management units and avoid wildlife refuges and safety zones that are used only for other types of recreation such as camping. Hunters must possess the proper licenses and use self-serve sign-in stations located throughout the properties. Hunters check in and out at these stations by filling out daily cards. The cards report wildlife seen and taken and prove invaluable in research towards improving the resource management program.

Salamonie Reservoir also contains a small game management area with specific rules and regulations. Call the property office (260-468-2125) to get the details.

Each reservoir is divided into specific trapping units. No one may trap on the properties without obtaining permission through a sealed bid auction. Anyone interested in trapping at one of the reservoirs should contact that property office to find out bidding specifics. Deadlines for bids are usually in the late summer.

Tenant farming is also an important part of resource management on each reservoir property. Farmers rent designated acreages. DNR resource managers specify which crops must be planted in a rotation and farmers must leave 10% of the crop standing as winter food and cover. These fields provide dusting areas for wildlife and help to control succession. The monies received from these tenant farmed areas supports the wildlife equipment purchases and programs. Each property strives to have this program become self-supporting through these funds.