Description
Chinook Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA) is 2,141 acres of rolling grasslands and unreformed wooded parcels. Approximately 80 acres of the property is water (mostly strip pits).
Originally leased as a Public Fishing Area in 1982, Chinook FWA opened in 1997 and comprises 2,141 acres of surface mine land near Vigo County in western Clay County.
Most revenues used in land acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance of Chinook FWA are derived from the sale of hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses. Funds are also received 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 for the enjoyment of all people.
Popular activities
All hunters, range users, and dog runners are required to sign in and obtain the appropriate one-day access permit before entering the field at this property. The one-day permit card must be completed and returned to a self-service booth, drop box, or property office before you leave.
All other visitors are encouraged to obtain a miscellaneous one-day access permit before entering the field. The one-day access permit should be kept with you while visiting, then completed and returned to a self-service booth, drop box, or the office before you leave. The information you provide will help us identify ways to improve Indiana’s FWAs for all users. We appreciate your patience in taking the extra time to complete the permit. Your feedback and comments are valuable to us.
More activities
Other properties managed by Deer Creek Fish & Wildlife Area
- Deer Creek FWA is 2,175 acres in a mixture of mature oak/hickory woods and open rolling native grasses and agriculture in Putnam County. The land that compromises most of Deer Creek was originally transferred from the Putnamville Correctional Facility to the DNR in 2010 and several more parcels have been bought since then. It is open to the public and hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreational opportunities area available.
- Wabashiki FWA is composed of 3,652 acres of floodplain along the Wabash River. In 2010, Vigo County Parks Department and the Department of Natural Resources joined together in a cooperative effort to offer this bird viewing paradise to all its patrons. Hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreational opportunities are available.
- Green Valley Wildlife Management Area is 150 acres of wooded ground in Vigo County, Indiana. Green Valley Lake was originally constructed as a water supply reservoir for a coal mining operation. The property was purchased by the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife in the mid-1960s and opened to the public. Hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreational opportunities are available.
- Sugar Creek Conservation Area begins along the tributary creek at Shades State Park and run south-southwest, stretching across four counties - Montgomery, Parke, Vermillion and Vigo - ending at Fairbanks Landing FWA, south of Terre Haute. It encompasses 1,321 acres of diverse terrain and is open to the public. Hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreational opportunities are available.
- Wabash River Conservation Area begins along the tributary creek at Shades State Park and run south-southwest, stretching across four counties - Montgomery, Parke, Vermillion and Vigo - ending at Fairbanks Landing FWA, south of Terre Haute. It encompasses 2,452 acres of primarily floodplain and is open to the public. Hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreational opportunities are available.
To learn more about the location and types of activities on these properties, view the Where To Hunt map.