The Division of Fish and Wildlife is proposing several administrative rule changes governing the taking of catfish to help protect public catfish resources. These proposed changes are in response to public concerns regarding increasing harvest pressure on catfish, recently completed catfish research in the Wabash River, and ongoing, cooperative fish management discussions with other Ohio River states. Currently, there is no limit to the number of large catfish that can be taken by sport and commercial fishing license holders, both in inland waters and the Ohio River.

On rivers and streams for both sport and commercial fishing (except the Ohio River), the proposal is to increase the existing 10 inch minimum size limit on channel catfish, flathead catfish and blue catfish to 15 inches.

On lakes, rivers, and streams statewide for both sport and commercial fishing (including the Ohio River), the proposal is to allow only one channel catfish to be taken per day that is 28 inches or more in total length and allow only one flathead and one blue catfish to be taken per day that is 35 inches or more in total length.

You can give your comments regarding these proposed changes to the Natural Resources Commission by going to the Natural Resources Commission website and click on “Comment on Proposed Rule” next to the catfish amendments. Comments can also be mailed to the following address:

Natural Resources Commission
Indiana Government Center North
100 North Senate Ave., Room N501
Indianapolis, IN 46204

All comments sent to the Natural Resources Commission regarding these rule changes will be provided to Commission members and Department of Natural Resources staff and will be publicly disclosed and searchable on the internet and in a paper docket as part of the final report.

A public hearing on these rule changes will take place later this year or early next year, but it has not yet been scheduled.

Please note that these proposed changes will not be in effect this year, and the Natural Resources Commission will have an opportunity to review all of the public comments before making a final decision at a future meeting.