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Wabash River Conservation Area

  • None at this time.

Managed by
Deer Creek Fish & Wildlife Area

Physical Addresses
For a list of available parking lots, please see the maps below.

Mailing Address
2001 W County Road 600 S
Greencastle, IN 46135

Email
DeerCreekFWA@dnr.IN.gov 

Time Zone
Eastern

Property Hours
Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Link to this page
on.IN.gov/wabash-river-ca

Description

Wabash River Conservation Area consists of 2,452 acres of bottomland and floodplain along the Wabash River. It stretches across three counties – Parke, Vermillion, and Vigo – ending at Fairbanks Landing FWA, south of Terre Haute. Wildlife species commonly found include deer, turkey, waterfowl, shorebirds, frogs, and numerous turtles.

Wabash River Conservation Area is a part of the Healthy Rivers INitiative, the largest land conservation initiative to be undertaken in Indiana. HRI was announced in June 2010 and 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 Wabash River 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.

  • The Wabash River provides shoreline and river fishing opportunities
  • Primary species include catfish, smallmouth bass, and white bass.
  • 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 Wabash River CA.

Turkey

  • Please note that during spring turkey season, besides turkey hunters and anglers, no other visitors are allowed on the property until after 1 p.m. Please call the office for dates and any questions

Migratory Birds (dove and waterfowl)

  • Non-toxic shot is required.

  • The Wabash River floodplain and bottomland forest create a diverse area for wildlife to thrive on Wabash River Conservation Area.
  • This area attracts a wide variety of raptors, songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wildlife.
  • During the early spring numerous kinds of waterfowl can be seen on the property.
  • Other common sightings include white-tailed deer, wild turkey, turtles, frogs, hawks, and other wildlife.

Additional Recreational Activities

  • 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 Wabash River 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.

  • 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. Please call the office for dates and any questions.

  • Visitors are encouraged to hike, explore, and enjoy Wabash River Conservation Area.
  • While there are no designated trails, there are mowed 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.

  • The Wabash River 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 Deer Creek FWA 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. Projects could include invasive species treatment/removal, seeding wildflowers, maintenance of trails, mowing, maintaining signage, etc.

Map

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.
  • 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.
  • 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. 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.
  • Sugar Creek 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 1,321 acres of diverse terrain 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.