- Fairbanks Landing FWA Alerts
- None at this time.
Description
Fairbanks Landing Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA) in Sullivan County provides quality outdoor recreation opportunities on 8,030 acres of bottomland hardwoods, agriculture fields, prairie, and riparian habitat. Fairbanks Landing FWA rests along the Wabash River and is a great spot for fishing and birdwatching.
Fairbanks Landing was obtained and is being operated thanks to an agreement between Indiana-Michigan Power and the Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife.
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.
- Fishing
- Fishing is allowed at Fairbanks Landing FWA. Please park in designated areas only.
- There is a boat ramp into the Wabash River on the southern end of the property.
- Boats not being used on the river are limited to a maximum 12-volt electric motor.
- Channel catfish, bluegill, redear, and largemouth bass are the major species present.
- For more information on fishing opportunities visit the fishing page.
- To find more places to fish visit the Where to Fish map.
- Hunting
- Hunting for deer, rabbit, squirrel, raccoon, coyote, and turkey is common at Fairbanks Landing Fish & Wildlife Area.
- All hunting seasons and bag limits apply. See Hunting Regulations for details.
- Fairbanks Landing FWA participates in all youth hunting seasons.
Deer
- The first two days of deer firearms season is by reserve draw only. All other deer hunting is by self-service.
- Deer stands are allowed overnight between Sept. 15 and Jan. 10. Tree stands must be marked with the owner’s name, address, and phone number OR the owner’s DNR Customer ID Number.
Turkey
- The first five days of spring turkey hunting is by reserve draw only.
- Spring turkey hunting hours end at 1 p.m. and hunters must leave the field by 2 p.m.
- Fall season: Hunting is permitted by daily self-service check-in.
Waterfowl
- During waterfowl season, there are no daily drawings.
- Trapping
- Trapping is by self-service sign-in procedures. Please contact Goose Pond FWA for details.
- View statewide trapping regulations in the Hunting & Trapping Guide.
- Wildlife watching and birding
- Fairbanks Landing FWA’s 8,030 acres include bottomland hardwoods and adjoining farmlands along the Wabash River attracting deer, wild turkey, waterfowl, hawks, owls, osprey, bald eagles, and a wide variety of songbirds.
- Fairbanks Landing is a great place to view woodland birds as they migrate in the Spring and Fall.
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 permitted in the designated area shown on the property map. This area extends north from C.R. 1050 N to C.R. 1150 N and east from C.R. 800 W to C.R. 675 W.
- Dogs must always be leashed outside of the dog running and training area unless being used by a registered hunter in the pursuit of game.
- A valid hunting license is required for running dogs in the pursuit of wild game.
- Foraging
- Mushrooms, berries, greens, and nuts may be gathered; however, a written permit is required to remove plants, animals, rocks, and fossils.
- Greens are the above ground portion of asparagus, dandelion, mustard, plantain, and poke.
- Mushroom hunters must not enter the field before 1 p.m. during spring turkey season.
- During hunting seasons, foraging should only be done when wearing orange or another bright color.
- Hiking & walking
- Hiking & walking is permitted on Fairbanks Landing FWA. There are no established trails, but plenty of roadways and game trails to walk.
- During hunting seasons, hiking and walking should only be done when wearing orange or another bright color.
- Water recreation
- Boat launching from a trailer is allowed only at the boat ramp into the Wabash River.
- Canoes, kayaks, and other small watercraft that can be carried and slid into the water are permissible for use on the rest of the property.
- Excluding the Wabash River, boats are limited to a maximum 12-volt electric motor.
- Anyone in a boat, canoe, kayak, or on a paddleboard must be in possession of a wearable personal flotation device (PFD) while on the water.
- Swimming is NOT allowed.
- 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, basic gardening, painting, and more. Call the property office for details.
- While you’re at Fairbanks Landing Fish & Wildlife Area, have fun and fill a bucket with trash. You can bring your own 5-gallon bucket and pack out the trash with you.
- Report your good work by posting a photo on the Facebook group page "5-gallon challenge" and use the hashtag #bucketINtrashOUT. Every bucket counts.
- Your small act of kindness helps to keep our public lands healthy and beautiful.
Other properties managed by Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area
- Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area in Greene County provides quality outdoor recreational opportunities on 9,098 acres of prairie and marsh habitat. About 12,000 wildlife watchers visit each year, and the property records about 3,500 annual hunting efforts
with one hunter visit for one day. Visitors are required to sign-in at the office or at any self-service centers on the property. - Hillenbrand Fish & Wildlife Area in Greene County provides quality outdoor recreational opportunities while maintaining 3,631 acres of upland game and wetland habitat, lakes and shallow impoundments. It is located east and west of S.R. 59 approximately 5 miles north of Linton. Hillenbrand FWA is open for public use.
- Morgan Bluff Wildlife Management Area (WMA) includes 455 acres of bottomland hardwoods, ephemeral wetlands, and an oxbow lake bordering the West Fork of the White River in southwestern Greene County. In 2020, INDOT transferred the property to the DNR Division of Fish &
Wildlife, and restoration work was completed as part of Interstate 69 mitigation. The property provides excellent hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, and waterfowl. Morgan Bluff WMA is open for public use; all regulations for Division of Fish & Wildlife properties apply. Access to the area crosses
private land. Visitors should only drive on the gravel access lane and park only in the designated parking lot. - Ashcraft Wildlife Management Area (WMA) includes 62 acres of mixed hardwood forest in eastern Greene County. This property provides hunting opportunities for squirrel, deer, and turkey. Ashcraft WMA is open for public use; all regulations for Division of Fish & Wildlife
properties apply. - Swamper Bend Wildlife Diversity Conservation Area (WDCA) is a 108-acre tract of bottomland hardwood in Knox County located in a bend of the White River. Swamper Bend WDCA was purchased to protect the state endangered swamp rabbit and its associated habitat.
The swamp rabbit is the largest member of the cottontail genus, with individuals weighing 3-6 pounds. Rabbit hunting is strictly prohibited due to the similarities between the Eastern cottontail and the swamp rabbit. Other forms of hunting are allowed, as are fishing and trapping.
