- None at this time.
Office Hours
M-F, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. ET
Managed by
Deer Creek Fish & Wildlife Area
Link to this page
on.IN.gov/sugar-creek-ca
Description
The Sugar Creek Conservation Area begins along a tributary creek to the Wabash River close to Shades State Park. It consists of about 1,321 acres and is primarily forested with rugged terrain that is rich in biological diversity. Habitat found in this area includes upland forests, ravine forests, cliffs, bottomland forests, flatwoods, seeps and springs. Wildlife species commonly found include deer, turkey and migratory birds.
Sugar Creek Conservation Area is a part of the Healthy Rivers INitiative, the largest land conservation initiative to be undertaken in Indiana that was announced in June 2010. It includes a partnership of resource agencies and organizations who are working with willing landowners to permanently protect more than 43,000 acres along the Wabash River and Sugar Creek in west-central Indiana, and more than 26,000 acres of the Muscatatuck River bottomlands in southeast Indiana.
Most revenues used in land acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance of Sugar Creek Conservation Area 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 activites
- Sugar Creek Conservation Area provides shoreline fishing along Sugar Creek.
- Primary species include small mouth bass, catfish, and suckers.
- There are no fees outside of your fishing licenses and stamps.
- Kayaks, canoes, and other watercraft are allowed with electric motors only.
- Anglers must park in a designated parking lot.
- For more information on where to fish in Indiana visit the Where to Fish map.
- Deer, turkey, rabbit, squirrel, woodcock, quail, dove, waterfowl, and furbearer hunting are available.
- All hunting seasons and bag limits apply. See hunting regulations for details.
- Additional property specific rules may also apply. Contact the office for details.
Deer
- Deer tree stands and ground blinds may be used and left unattended from noon, Sept. 15 through Jan. 10. Tree stands and ground blinds must be legibly marked in English with either the owner’s DNR customer identification number or the owners’ name, address, and telephone number.
- A fastener used in conjunction with a tree stand or pole climber that penetrates a tree more than 1/2 inch is prohibited (e.g., screw-in steps and screw-in bow and gun hangers).
- Antlerless deer cannot be taken with a firearm during firearms season on Fish & Wildlife-managed properties, including Sugar Creek CA
Migratory Birds (dove and waterfowl)
- Non-toxic shot is required
Turkey
- Please note that during spring turkey season, besides turkey hunters and fisherman, no other visitors are allowed on the property until after 1 p.m. ET. Please call the office for dates and any questions
- Trapping is available. View statewide trapping regulations in the Hunting & Trapping Guide
- Upland forests, ravine forests, cliffs, bottomland, flatwoods, seeps and springs all attract a variety of wildlife species.
- Some commonly found on Sugar Creek Conservation Area include deer, turkey, and seasonally migratory birds.
- 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 is not allowed on Sugar Creek Conservation Area.
- Dogs must be always leashed unless being used by a registered hunter in the pursuit of game.
- Only service dogs are allowed inside buildings.
- Portions of the property may be dry land trapped during season.
- Mushrooms, berries, and nuts may be gathered; however, a written permit is required to remove plants, animals, rocks, and fossils.
- Please note that during spring turkey season, no visitors are allowed on the property until after 1 p.m. ET. Please call the office for dates and any questions.
- Visitors are encouraged to hike, explore, and enjoy Sugar Creek Conservation Area.
- While there are no designated trails, there are a few access lanes that can be used to explore the property. Inquire at the Deer Creek office for what trails are available when you plan on visiting.
- Sugar Creek is available for water recreation.
- Swimming is prohibited.
- Canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding are allowed.
- Anyone in a canoe, kayak, or on a paddleboard must be in possession of a wearable personal flotation device (PFD) while on the water.
- Need a reason to get outside and move? You can volunteer alone or in small groups at this property. Some possible opportunities are listed below.
- Wildlife survey support – assist staff with fall quail covey counts, songbird surveys, bird observations, and more.
- Property photographer – help document what makes Sugar Creek Conservation Area unique, from plants and animals to the people that use it.
- Skilled labor- If you are a carpenter, electrician, plumber, welder, or have other specialized skills, there is likely a time you could assist us with projects.
- Land stewards – help maintain a portion of the property that you enjoy utilizing. Projects could include invasive species treatment/removal, seeding wildflowers, maintenance of trails, mowing, maintaining signage, etc.
Map
Other properties managed by this area
- 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.
- 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, Indiana. 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.
- 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, Division of Fish & Wildlife in the mid-1960s and opened to the public. Hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreational opportunities available.
- Wabash River Conservation Area begins along the tributary creek at Shades State Park and runs 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.
- 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.
To learn more about the location and types of activities on these properties, view the Where To Hunt map.
