Description
Deer Creek Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA) began in 2010 with a transfer of 1,962 acres from the Putnamville Correctional Facility to the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife. After 2010, several more parcels were added to Deer Creek, bringing the current total to 2,175 acres.
The property consists of mature oak-hickory woods interspersed with agriculture. A 4-acre pond on the north portion offers fishing for bass, bluegill, and catfish. Deer Creek winds through the south portion of the property with a low-head dam, iron bridge, and creek crossing made of concrete. A smaller, unnamed creek crosses the north portion of the property.
Most revenues used in land acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance of Deer Creek 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 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 this office
- Chinook FWA is 2,141 acres of reclaimed surface mine land near Vigo County in western Clay County. Approximately 80 acres of the property is water (mostly strip pits). Originally, it was leased as a Public Fishing Area in 1982, but Chinook opened in 1997 as a Fish & Wildlife Area open to the public. Hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreational opportunities are 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.
- Fairbanks Landing Fish & Wildlife Area in Sullivan County sits on 8,133 acres of bottomland hardwoods, agriculture fields, prairie, and riparian habitat along the banks of the Wabash River. 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 in the mid-1960s and opened to the public. Hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreational opportunities are available. More information.
- Sugar Creek Conservation Area begins along the tributary creek at Shades State Park and runs south-southwest, ending at Jackson Bridge in Parke County. 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 banks of the Wabash near Montezuma, IN and runs south-southwest, stretching across four counties - Parke, Vermillion, Vigo, and Sullivan - ending at Fairbanks Landing FWA, south of Terre Haute. It encompasses 2,452 acres of primarily floodplain terrain and is open to the public. Hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreational opportunities are available.