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The Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Public Access Program started in 1953 and strives to provide free access to Indiana waters for anglers and boaters. Public access sites managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife do not require a lake-use permit.
The Public Access Program:
- Works with local, state and federal agencies to provide access to Indiana’s lakes and rivers.
- Is funded through the sale of fishing and hunting licenses and from federal aid through the Sport Fish Restoration Fund.
- Is working to acquire new sites annually.
How are new sites acquired?
Site selection is based on several factors:
- The availability of land to purchase
- Road access to the site
- Topography
- Sufficient water depth
- The proximity to other river access sites
- Safety
- Environmental conditions
- The cost of acquisition and construction (There is a very limited amount of funds available for this program).
Sites are purchased from willing sellers at fair market value. The Division of Fish & Wildlife also leases sites from organizations and local government agencies and accepts donations of suitable properties along lakes and streams.
Sites are developed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife using its North or South public access units. Anyone who has suitable waterfront land to sell on waters that lack public access may contact the Division of Fish & Wildlife at 812-674-0188 for southern Indiana and 574-834-4461 for northern Indiana.
Before construction can begin, public notices must be given and permits must be obtained from the Army Corps of Engineers, the Division of Water, the Division of Historic Preservation, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, as well as an endangered species clearance.
How to get involved
Volunteering with Adopt-A-Ramp is an easy, flexible way for Hoosiers to support healthy waterways, outdoor recreation, and their local community. With more than 400 public access sites throughout the state, this program is a great fit for individuals and groups of any size.
Ready to join? Visit the Division of Fish & Wildlife volunteer page to create a volunteer profile.
- Once your profile is complete, you can sign up for the Adopt-A-Ramp opportunity directly.
- You will receive a follow up email from DFW staff to help locate an adoptable ramp and connect you to welcome resources.
- Once approved, care for your ramp by collecting trash and sharing any site issues with staff in a timely manner. Plan to visit your site at least three times during the calendar year.
- Report your volunteer hours to staff. The hours recorded for this volunteer opportunity allow the public access team to leverage the value of volunteer time and use more federal grant funding to support projects.
Have questions before signing up? Emails us at DNRPublicAccess@dnr.IN.gov. We look forward to working with you!
