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Kingsbury Fish & Wildlife Area

Address
5344 S. Hupp Rd.
LaPorte, IN 46350

A gate is located on the west side of the property restricting access from the industrial park. Property users should enter from the north via South Hupp Road.

Link to this page
on.IN.gov/kingsburyfwa

Admission
Free

Time zone
Central

Hours
Office: 
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT

Property: 24/7. Some activities may have specific open times, especially if there is a draw. Please call property for questions.


Description

Kingsbury Fish & Wildlife Area provides quality outdoor recreational opportunities while maintaining 7,400 acres of grasslands, crop fields, thick brush, marsh areas, and a 30-acre lake. Visitors can enjoy hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, and the shooting range on the property.

Kingsbury FWA is a remnant of the old Kingsbury Ordnance Plant, which produced shells, cartridges, and mortar rounds for World War II and the Korean War. The land was deeded to the state of Indiana in 1965 by the federal government, and wildlife management began at that time.

Most revenues used in land acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance of Kingsbury Fish & Wildlife Area are 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 sport hunting, shooting, and fishing equipment. Indiana hunters and anglers are proud to provide this property free for the enjoyment of all.

  • Amenities
    • Pit toilets are in the parking lot of the check station.
    • Accessible indoor restrooms are available at the shooting range during range hours.

Popular activities

  • Fishing
    • Public fishing areas are found along the Kankakee River, drainage ditches, and the 30-acre Tamarack Lake. The lake is stocked with channel catfish every other year. You can find locations to fish on the Where to Fish map.
    • Primary species include channel catfish, bluegill, crappie, and largemouth bass.
    • A maximum 12-volt electric motor is allowed on the lake. Gas motors are allowed on the river.
    • Boat ramps are located at parking area 5G for the Kankakee River and parking area 5A for Tamarack Lake.
    • All size and bag limits apply. View the current fishing regulations for details.
    • Shoreline fishing is located along the drainage ditches and the Kankakee River.
    • Resident and non-resident licenses and stamps are sold at the office.
  • Hunting
    • Deer, pheasant, rabbit, squirrel, furbearers, dove, duck, goose, and wild turkey hunting are common.
    • See the Indiana Hunting & Trapping Guide for seasons and bag limits.
    • Registration is at the self-service kiosks. The kiosks are always open and are located at 5344 S. Hupp Road and on Hupp Road west of Travis Ditch.
    • Maps are available in the self-service area and online. Kingsbury FWA has three refuges where hunting is prohibited. These refuges are clearly marked.
    • Advance registration is required for wild turkey, dove hunting and some waterfowl hunting.
    • The Kingsbury FWA office operates a deer and turkey check station.
    • The use of hunting dogs is allowed. A dog training area is provided in area 6 (see map).
    • Kingsbury FWA holds multiple events for new shooters and hunters throughout the year. For more information, call 219-393-3612.
    • Resident and non-resident licenses and stamps are sold at the office.
    • All hunting at Reynolds Creek is by preseason draw. As wildlife populations rebound, hunting opportunities will expand. More information is below.

    Deer

    • Deer tree stands may be left unattended from noon on Sept. 15 through Jan. 10. Tree stands must be legibly marked in English with either the owner's DNR customer identification number or the owner’s name, address, and telephone number.
    • A fastener used in conjunction with a tree stand and a tree or pole climber that penetrates a tree more than ½ inch is prohibited (i.e., anything that penetrates a tree more than a ½ inch is prohibited, e.g., screw-in steps and screw-in bow and gun hangers).
    • Fish & Wildlife managed lands do not allow the use of bonus county permits. The same is true of Wetland Conservation Areas and Gamebird Habitat Areas.

    Pheasant

    • Only male (cock) pheasants may be taken. No put-and-take pheasant hunts are offered.

    Turkey

    • Registration for turkey hunting is typically in February with an online drawing. Kingsbury has 12 spots daily and holds a no-show drawing at 4:30 a.m. CT.

    Waterfowl

    • Reserve waterfowl hunters are required to claim their spot before 4:30 a.m. CT when drawings begin. Waterfowl hunting hours end at 1 p.m. CT during the regular season. Reserve days are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
    • There are a combination of blinds and stakes for waterfowl hunting. These spots are available seven days a week. Additional spots are available on Wednesdays and Sundays.
    • Kingsbury FWA does not provide boats. Most hunting spots require the use of a boat; however, there are several walk-in spots to hunt waterfowl.
  • Shooting range
    • The range has 37 shooting positions: 10 positions at 50 yards, five positions at 100 yards, 18 positions at 10, 15, or 25 yards, and four shotgun stations.
    • An archery range is available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
    • Fees for the shooting range are $5 a day for age 18 and older, $2 a day for younger than 18 (under 18 must be accompanied by an adult), $10 a day for a family (example: 2 adults and 2 children). A yearly pass is available for $100 per calendar year.
    • The shooting range is ADA compliant, safe, modern, and staffed by qualified range officers.
    • Bring your own targets and ammunition.
    • Indoor restrooms that are accessible to people with disabilities are available.
    • Target practice is permitted only in established ranges.
    • 3-D deer targets are available for rent for archery range use.
    • Shooters must obey all rules and regulations. Use of eye and ear protection is required of all participants and observers.
    • See the Fish & Wildlife Area Shooting Ranges webpage for hours.
  • Trapping
    • The trapping draw is the first Saturday in October at 10 a.m. CT at the property office. Kingsbury FWA has five trapping units, and the draw is for two-week periods. There is also a youth trapping unit. A valid trapping license is required for each participant.
    • View statewide trapping regulations in the Hunting & Trapping Guide.
    • Dry land trapping may occur on this property.
  • Wildlife watching & birding
    • 7,400 acres of fallow land, crop fields, thick brush, grasslands, waterways, and scattered stands of conifers and hardwoods attract hawks, owls, bald eagles, shorebirds, wading birds, and a wide variety of resident and migrating songbirds.
    • Registration at a self-service kiosk is required.

    This property is a stop on the
    Indiana Birding Trail Logo

More activities

  • Biking
    • Bicycling is allowed on all paved and gravel roads that are open to vehicle travel. There are no mountain bike trails and off-road travel is prohibited.
  • Dog Running
    • Dog training is available only in Area 6. Sign up and obtain a permit at the self-service kiosk west of Travis Ditch.
  • Foraging
    • Mushrooms, berries, antlers, and nuts may be gathered; however, a written permit is required to remove plants, animals, rocks, and fossils.
    • During turkey season, mushroom hunters are not permitted in the field until noon CT.
  • Hiking & Walking
    • While there are no designated trails, there are mowed lanes that can be used to explore the property.
    • If you choose to hike during active hunting seasons, hunter orange is suggested.
  • Water recreation
    • Kingsbury has a 30-acre lake and marsh area that can be utilized for kayaking or canoeing.
    • Lake and river access is free of charge.
    • Swimming is not allowed.
    • Boat launches are located at the Kankakee River and on Tamarack Lake.
  • Volunteering
    • Need a reason to get outside and move? You can volunteer alone or in small groups at this property. Some activities include trash pick-up, invasive plant removal, basic gardening, and more. Call the property office for details.

Map

Other properties managed by this office

Find all these properties and more on the Where to Hunt map

  • Fish Lake Wetland Conservation Area
    • 240 acres of hardwoods, crop fields, and native grass plantings. Map.
    • Open to the public with no sign in required.
    • All state and federal regulations apply.
    • Park in designated parking lot only.
    • No driving past the parking lot.
    • Deer reduction licenses are not permitted.
    • Bonus county licenses are not permitted.
  • Galena Wetland Conservation Area
    • Property is 165 acres of hardwoods, wetlands, and native grasses. Map.
    • All state and federal regulations apply.
    • Park in designated parking lot only.
    • No driving past the parking lot.
    • Deer reduction licenses are not permitted.
    • Bonus county licenses are not permitted.
  • Reynolds Creek Gamebird Habitat Area
    • 1,250 acres of grassland, woods, wetland, and crop lands.
    • All hunting by special permit only; open hunting is not allowed.
    • All State and Federal regulations apply.
    • Hunting opportunities are limited to deer, waterfowl, spring turkey, and dove.
    • No fishing.
    • Park in designated parking lot only.
    • No littering, including spent shot shells.
    • No dog running.
    • When your hunt is complete, place hunt card in drop box on property.
    • Dry land trapping may occur on this property.

    Waterfowl, Dove, and Turkey Hunting

    • Steel shot only for dove and waterfowl.
    • 50 shell limit for dove.
    • 25 shell limit for waterfowl.
    • Waterfowl hunting /drawings are held on Sundays and Wednesdays only. Drawing is held at 4:30 a.m. Central time at Kingsbury FWA.
    • Dove drawings typically held Sept. 1 through Sept. 6. Property closes to dove hunting after Sept. 6.
    • Turkey drawing is held the second Saturday in April at 10 a.m. CT at Kingsbury FWA.

    Deer Hunting

    • The use of bonus antlerless deer permits is not allowed.
    • The use of deer reduction permits is not allowed.
    • No overnight tree stands or ground blinds.
    • Deer hunting is archery only.
    • Deer hunt drawing held last Saturday in August at 10 a.m. CT at Kingsbury FWA.
    • Waterfowl hunters will be using the property on Sundays and Wednesdays only.
  • Place Trail Marsh Gamebird Habitat Area
    • 350 acres of wetland, grassland, and woodland.
    • All state and federal regulations apply.
    • Park in designated parking lot only.
    • Steel shot only for waterfowl.
    • 25 shell limit for waterfowl.
    • Read and obey all posted signs.
    • One party in each unit, totaling three parties.
    • Waterfowl hunting ends at 1 p.m. CT.
    • Turkey hunting by permit only. Drawing is held the second Saturday in April at 10 a.m. CT at Kingsbury FWA.
    • Dry land trapping may occur on this property.
    • Deer Hunting Archery by drawing only. A drawing is held last Saturday of August, 10 a.m. CT at Kingsbury FWA).
    • Park in designated lot only.
    • No driving past the parking lot.
    • Keep permit card with you at all times.
    • When your hunt is complete, please drop the permit card in the drop box.
    • Deer reduction licenses are not permitted.
    • Bonus county licenses are not permitted.
    • Tree stands or ground blinds are not permitted to be left over night on the property.
    • During the waterfowl season other hunters will be using the property.
  • Kankakee Meanderlands Wetland Conservation Area
    • 174 acres of woodland, grasses, and cropland. Map.
    • All state and federal regulations apply.
    • Park in designated parking lot only.
    • Deer Hunting is archery only. Drawing held last Saturday of August, 10 a.m. CT at Kingsbury FWA.
    • No driving past the parking lot.
    • Keep permit card with you at all times.
    • When your hunt is complete, please drop the permit card in a drop box.
    • Deer reduction licenses are not permitted.
    • Bonus county licenses are not permitted.
    • Tree stands or ground blinds are not permitted to be left over night on the property.

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