Indiana
We are ready to hear from you anglers and hunters
We are ready to hear from you hunters and anglers.
South Bend Tribune sports is beginning a new Outdoors feature, focused primarily on hunting and fishing stories/news and photos.
We want to hear about your fishing and hunting adventures and see photos of those big or unusual catches and harvests.
Share those stories and photos at sports@sbtinfo.com or gbell@sbtinfo.com.
Indiana seeks input on deer hunting rule changes. Plus hike, clean up and parade into May.
Trout season begins in Indiana’s stocked streams. And large white trilliums in full bloom.
When is free fishing day in Indiana?
Indiana’s first free fishing day is coming up on Sunday, May 12.
Indiana residents do not need a fishing license or a trout/salmon stamp to fish in the state’s public waters. It’s a perfect day to bring your family and friends to join in fishing fun. All others rules such as seasons, bag limits and size limits apply. Find a location to fish near you, using the Indiana DNR Where to Fish Map at https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/fishing/where-to-fish-interactive-map/
Indiana Trout season is open
Trout season for inland streams in Indiana opened on April 27th and runs through the end of December. The Indiana DNR had planned to stock nearly 63,000 rainbow and brown trout across 35 bodies of water. Anglers should be sure to get their trout stamp. There is no closed season for taking trout from inland lakes. All licences/stamps can be purchased through the Indiana DNR.
Wild turkey season in Indiana has another week
The Indiana spring wild turkey hunting season continues until May 12. The bag limit during the spring is one bearded or male turkey.
Wild turkeys may be hunted from one half hour before sunrise to sunset.
To hunt wild turkey during the spring season, a valid spring turkey hunting license and Game Bird Habitat stamp privilege are required. Those who have a lifetime comprehensive hunting, lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing, or resident youth hunt/trap license can hunt wild turkey and do not need to purchase the Game Bird Habitat stamp privilege,
Licences can be purchased through the Indiana DNR.
Michigan elk and bear license applications on sale
Michigan Elk and bear license applications are on sale now through June 1. Hunters can increase their odds by picking up Pure Michigan Hunt applications while applying for bear and elk.
The Pure Michigan Hunt offers a chance at licenses for hunting elk, bear, spring and fall turkey and anterless deer and first pick at a managed waterfowl hunt area.
For more information about the Pure Michigan Hunt, or to apply, visit Michigan.gov/PMH. For more information or to apply for bear or elk licenses, visit Michigan.gov/Bear or Michigan.gov/Elk. You also can apply for all three anywhere hunting licenses are sold, or online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or on the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.
Indiana Learn to Shoot event
The Indiana DNR will host a Learn to Shoot event on June 18 at Atterbury Fish & Wildlife area from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (ET). Shooters of all skill levels are welcome, but the course will be tailored towards those that are new to shooting and firearms.
Indiana Learn to Fish series
The DNR is also hosting a series of Learn to Fish events through May and June at various lakes throughout the state. Events include at Mother’s Day workshop, women’s intro to fishing, beginner catfishing and intro to fishing
Indiana
Indiana BMV, ISP dispel rumours about Blackout license plates
INDIANA (WPTA) – The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Indiana State Police are addressing online rumors about the BMV’s new license plate design.
The BMV says that when they post about the Blackout plates on their social media accounts, they receive comments claiming the design makes it easier for plate recognition cameras, like Flock, to read.
WATCH: Fort Wayne Flock camera showdown reflects nationwide debate | Story continues below
ISP confirmed that Automated License Plate Recognition cameras can read all Indiana plates with the same efficiency and accuracy as the Blackout version.
Police say the color and design of a license plate do not impact the camera’s ability to read it.
“I wouldn’t want Hoosiers to miss out on the Blackout plate because of incorrect information,” Indiana BMV Commissioner Kevin Garvey says. “The Blackout plate’s purpose is to give our customers more choices when it comes to their plate design. It’s simply a fun style choice.”
The BMV says more than 240,000 Hoosiers have purchased the Blackout plate since its release in August 2025. Learn more about it here.
Copyright 2026 WPTA. All rights reserved.
Indiana
Submit your nature art for DNR hard card licenses
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Calling all artists! The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is accepting art and photo submissions to use for the hard-card licenses for hunting, fishing, and trapping.
A press release from DNR Wednesday said Hoosiers of all ages can enter up to two of their nature and wildlife-themed works of art for a chance to be featured on next year’s cards. The cards will be available for purchase in early 2027.
Five entries will be chosen. All 2-D mediums — photography, painting, drawing, graphic design — are eligible. Art generated by artificial intelligence (AI) will not be accepted.
This year’s categories include Deer, Wild Turkey, Fish, Wildlife (Other), and Indiana Landscapes.
Artists can submit their art to DFWcontests@dnr.IN.gov. The entry submission deadline is July 31, by 11:59 p.m. ET.
More information and contest guidelines can be found here.
Indiana
2 Indiana men plead guilty in Montana oxycodone conspiracy case
MISSOULA, Mont. — Two Indiana men accused of helping illegally obtain oxycodone from Montana pharmacies have pleaded guilty to federal charges, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.
Jaylan Javier Wash, 23, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone.
Wash faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
Brandon Lavelle Winfrey, 32, who went by “Juice,” pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone.
Winfrey faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
Sentencing is set for Nov. 10, 2026, in Missoula.
The following was sent out by U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Montana:
Two men from Indiana who helped illegally obtain oxycodone from Montana pharmacies have admitted to charges, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.
Jaylan Javier Wash, 23, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone. Wash faces 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
Brandon Lavelle Winfrey, 32, who went by “Juice,” pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone. Winfrey faces 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided at the change of plea and U.S. District Court Judge Dana L. Christensen will determine a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Nov. 10, 2026, in Missoula. Winfrey and Wash were released pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that Winfrey and Wash, along with a group of associates, used fake prescriptions to illegally obtain oxycodone. The Chicago-based outfit flew into Montana, visited various pharmacies across the state, and used falsified prescriptions to get oxycodone and other controlled substances. Several members of the group would give the oxycodone to Winfrey and Wash, who then distributed it. Winfrey and Wash paid for expenses and directed group members which pharmacies to hit and when to enter.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI and DEA conducted the investigation.
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