- Wabashiki FWA Alerts
- None at this time.
Description
Wabashiki Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA) is 3,652 acres of mostly bottomland forest along the Wabash River and some upland habitat. Certain parcels are only accessible by the 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 Hoosiers.
Most revenues used in land acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance of Wabashiki 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.
- Amenities
- Public restrooms, a shelterhouse, bike rack, kayak launch, and observatory are all available at the Dewey Point parking lot.
- There is a portable restroom located in the check-in station parking lot at 3286 Darwin Rd, West Terre Haute, IN 47885.
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
- Wabashiki FWA provides fishing access along the Wabash River and at ponds located off Darwin Rd., 6th Street, and South Lake Rd.
- Primary species include bass, bluegill, redear, crappie, catfish, and bowfishing opportunities.
- There are no fees outside of fishing licenses and stamps.
- Primitive boat ramps are located at the ponds off Darwin Rd., 6th Street, and South Lake Rd.
- Shoreline fishing is available.
- Kayaks, canoes, and other watercraft are allowed with electric trolling 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.
- Hunting
- Deer, turkey, rabbit, squirrel, quail, dove, woodcock, furbearer, and waterfowl 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 at Fish & Wildlife areas, including Wabashiki FWA.
- Rifles must have a bullet diameter of at least .357 inches and a case length between 1.16”-1.8”.
Migratory Birds (dove and waterfowl)
- Dove hunting is permitted by daily self-service check-in.
- Shooting hours for the first 3 days of dove season, Sept. 1-3, are 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. ET. Starting Sept. 4, shooting hours are ½ hour before sunrise to sunset.
- Nontoxic shot is required. There is a 50 shell limit per hunter per day for dove hunting.
- Dove Season Map 2024
Small Game (rabbit, squirrel, quail, woodcock, and furbearer)
- Non-toxic shot is required.
- Trapping
- The trapping draw is held the first Saturday in October at 10 a.m. ET at the Deer Creek FWA office.
- Wildlife watching & birding
- Wabashiki FWA is a stop on the Indiana Birding Trail, with the mix of prairie, wetland, and bottomland forest providing an array of bird species to observe. This area attracts a wide variety of raptors, songbirds, waterfowl, and wading birds.
- During 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.
This property is a stop on the
More activities
- Biking
- Bicycling is permitted on the Dewey Point-Wabashiki trail.
- 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 running is not allowed on Wabashiki FWA.
- Dogs must be always leashed unless being used by a registered hunter in the pursuit of game.
- Portions of the property may be dry land trapped.
- Foraging
- 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.
- Hiking & walking
- Visitors are encouraged to hike, explore, and enjoy Wabashiki FWA.
- One marked hiking trail is available in a partnership with Vigo County Parks & Recreation.
- Dewey Point-Wabashiki Trail – a 7-mile trail that winds through the wetlands and bottomland forests that are commonly found along the banks of the Wabash River.
- Access lanes are mowed a few times a year and are available for a more backcountry hiking experience. Inquire with the Deer Creek office for what trails are available when you plan on visiting.
- Water recreation
- Numerous ponds are located throughout Wabashiki FWA and much of the property is located along the Wabash River.
- 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.
- Primitive boat ramps are located at the ponds off Darwin Rd., 6th Street, and South Lake Rd.
- Volunteering
- 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 Wabashiki 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.
- 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.
Other properties managed by Deer Creek Fish & Wildlife 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.
- 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 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 three counties - 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.
