DNR temporarily Cancels all Fees.

Good read, Indiana DNR Temporarily Eliminating Entrance Fees in Response to Coronavirus – WBIW

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Indiana DNR Temporarily Eliminating Entrance Fees in Response to Coronavirus

MARCH 23, 2020

(UNDATED) – The Department of Natural Resources announced that all properties including state parks and wildlife areas – will not require an entry fee for the time being.
Also included in the DNR properties are state forests, fishing areas, nature preserves, and other state recreation areas (such as campgrounds and cabins).
Anyone who wants to cancel reservations they have made at DNR properties due to concerns over COVID-19 will not be charged a cancellation fee.
DNR properties will remain open, but there will be changes to their operations and services.
Property offices will have restricted access but will still remain open.
Nature Centers, Historic Buildings, Visitor Centers, Forest Education Centers, Recreation Buildings and enclosed picnic areas will be closed off to the public.
Highlights:

Open

• All DNR properties including state parks, state forests, fish and wildlife areas, nature preserves and state recreation areas. Entrance fees at properties have been temporarily suspended.
• Campgrounds, cabins, inns and meeting rooms remain open for groups within current State gathering guidance.
• All Indiana DNR-managed facilities at Brookville, J.E. Roush, Salamonie, Mississinewa, Cecil M. Harden, Cagles Mill, Patoka and Monroe lakes (campgrounds, wildlife areas, and boat ramps) remain open. However, public facilities managed directly by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at or below the dams at these lakes (tailwater areas, observation mounds, etc.) are closed.

Closed or restricted
All property offices, while remaining open, will have restricted public access. For service at an office location contact information will be provided at the main entrance to the office.

• Nature Centers, Historic Buildings and Visitor Centers, Forest Education Centers, Recreation Buildings and enclosed picnic areas.
• State Park Inn pools and the aquatic center at Abe Martin Lodge until further notice.
• The exhibit gallery at Falls of the Ohio State Park’s Interpretive Center. The park remains open. The interpretive center restrooms and information desk are available.
• All group camps, youth tent and rally tent areas through April 30, 2020. Any groups with reservations have been contacted and fees will be refunded.
• Rentable recreation buildings are closed through April 30. Those with reservations have been contacted and rental fees are being refunded.
• The DNR Customer Service Center in downtown Indianapolis is closed to public visits.

For an overview of all the changes and cancellations, visit the website for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Thanks for the update. The last one I read sounded as though the Corps was shutting down all facilities at their managed lakes including the ramps. Of course now with the State lock down we may not be able to drive there!

We can fish, talked to CO today.

I wonder if this means we don't need a lake permit for the time being? I haven't picked mine up yet.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Greenedog

I wonder if this means we don't need a lake permit for the time being? I haven't picked mine up yet.

Sent from my SM-S727VL using Tapatalk

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I would call DNR maybe to find something out. If you do get a answer, post your findings please. :cheers2

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Originally Posted by cevans

I would call DNR maybe to find something out. If you do get a answer, post your findings please. :cheers2

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i called the salamonie reservoir office thursday and they told me to go to "mother natures mercantile" website. i was able to purchase a couple launch permits there. there is a $4.00 S&H fee however. hope this helps.

So we do have to have the lake permits ?

I was wondering too

Call DNR and post what you find out. I haven’t seen DNR on any of the 3 lakes I have recently been on.

I think so lake permits expired Dec 31st I think you also have to have a 2019 fishing license for it to be extended until may

So with the new announcements today. Will the boat ramps be open or is everything on the state owned lakes closed ?

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Indiana Department of Natural Resources

49 mins ·

DNR COVID-19 UPDATE: Outdoor activities, and travel to and from those activities, are still permitted. These include hiking, fishing, boating, birding, hunting, and geocaching. Beginning April 8th, horse and bike use is temporarily suspended. All fishing tournaments that require a permit through DNR, even if they are not on DNR owned/operated property are CANCELED THROUGH APRIL 20. Hoosiers should follow posted restrictions and practice social distancing.
• Read more about the Governor’s Executive Orders: in.gov/gov/2384.htm
• Stay up to date by visiting on.IN.gov/dnrcovid19.
OPEN
• All DNR properties including state parks, state forests, fish and wildlife areas, nature preserves and state recreation areas
• Indiana DNR-managed lakes, trails, boat ramps and wildlife areas at Brookville, J.E. Roush, Salamonie, Mississinewa, Cecil M. Harden (Raccoon SRA), Cagles Mill (Lieber SRA), Patoka and Monroe lakes remain OPEN. However, public facilities managed directly by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at or below the dams at these lakes (i.e., tailwater areas, observation mounds, etc.) are CLOSED.
• Unstaffed archery ranges
• Restroom availability will be LIMITED.
CLOSED
• Campgrounds
• All property offices. Passes and permits can be purchased online at ShopINStateparks.com. Property maps are available online. Find contact information on office doors.
• State park inns and restaurants
• Family cabins and camper cabins
• Playgrounds, fire towers, and other similar facilities
• Welcome Centers, Nature Centers, Historic Buildings and Visitor Centers, Forest Education Centers, Saddle Barns, Fish Cleaning Stations
• Shooting ranges
• Shelters, recreation buildings, and other enclosed picnic areas
• State Park Inn pools and the aquatic center at Abe Martin Lodge
• All group camps, youth tent and rally tent areas
• Drinking fountains - OFF. Water charging stations and buckets for filling campers will be turned on as weather improves.
• Vending machines - OFF.
• The DNR Customer Service Center in downtown Indianapolis is CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC but is still available by telephone.
• The Fort Golf Course at Fort Harrison State Park. The Pro Shop and Garrison are CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.
CANCELED
• All indoor and outdoor public programs and special events are postponed through April 30. Virtual programming is available on DNR’s social media accounts.
• All fishing tournaments on DNR owned/operated properties are CANCELED THROUGH APRIL 30.
• All fishing tournaments that require a permit through DNR, even if they are not on DNR owned/operated property are CANCELED THROUGH APRIL 20.