Fishing

• Area provides over 45 miles of available water in rivers and ditches.
• Fishing areas are restricted during waterfowl season; no vehicle access to Ten-Mile Road, but you can access by foot to fish.
• Primary species include bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie, northern pike, redear, and walleye.
• Motor restrictions: A maximum of 24-volt electric motors are allowed. Outboard motors are permitted on rivers only.
• There is a 14-inch minimum size limit for largemouth bass for all area waters, except within the Kankakee and Yellow rivers where the size limit is 12 inches. All other size and bag limits apply. See Fishing Regulations for details.
• Two boat ramps are provided; one on S.R. 8 at the Kankakee River bridge and the second at the town of English Lake at the confluence of the Kankakee and Yellow rivers.
• Bank fishing is allowed except where posted.
• Fishing areas accessible to persons with disabilities are available.

Hunting

Deer

• Deer are present on this property in the LaPorte Unit and other Kankakee FWA managed properties (please check maps for locations and rules).
• Daily check-in is required at self-check-in stations on property (refer to map).Please fill out hunting permit and turn in at drop boxes. All hunting season dates and deer limits apply.
• 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 owner’s name, address and telephone number. A fastener used in conjunction with a tree stand and a tree or pole climber that penetrates a tree more than ½ inch is prohibited (anything that penetrates a tree more than a ½ inch is prohibited, i.e. screw-in steps and screw-in bow and gun hangers).
• Ten-Mile Road is closed for waterfowl hunting only during the waterfowl season. No deer hunting is allowed at this location
• Hunting areas accessible to persons with disabilities are available.

Small Game

• Quail, rabbit, dove, woodcock and pheasant are present.
• Daily check-in is required. All hunting seasons and bag limits apply.
• Daily check-in is required at self-check-in stations on property (refer to map).Please fill out hunting permit and turn in at drop boxes. All hunting season dates and bag limits apply.
• Dove drawings are at 11 a.m. CT at Kankakee headquarters until unnecessary. All other hunting is self-service.

Waterfowl

• Kankakee provides habitat for a wide variety of waterfowl species.
• Waterfowl harvest sheets are posted weekly at Kankakee headquarters during waterfowl season.
• All hunters must be registered and/or signed in by 4:30 a.m. CT for draw for waterfowl hunting at the Kankakee FWA headquarters. Waterfowl reservation days are opening weekend and every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. All other hunting is self-service.
• Kankakee provides boats and oars for most blinds. Individuals may use a trolling motor and must bring a life jacket to be worn.
• Ten-Mile Road is closed for waterfowl hunting only during the waterfowl season.
• Ask at property headquarters for opening date of corn unit. The normal corn hunting schedule is sunrise to noon daily. The corn opener is normally around November 1st.
• Waterfowl hunting is allowed only from designated blinds, and units
• Canada Goose Hunting will be done through hunt draws on Sunday and Thursday at 5 a.m. CT after the last waterfowl season.
• Volunteer day-Dressing of the blinds last Saturday in September.

Trapping

• Trapping draw is the first Saturday in October at 10 a.m.
• Trapping is done in areas see map for areas and rules

Volunteer Opportunities

• Need a reason to get outside and move? You can volunteer alone or in small groups at this property. Some activities include trash pick-up, basic gardening, painting, and more. Call the property office for details.
• Volunteer day: Dressing of the blinds for waterfowl hunting is the last Saturday in September

Wildlife Watching

4,199 acres of riparian woodlands, wetlands, marsh and farm land attract deer, wild turkey, waterfowl, hawks, owls, osprey, bald eagle and a wide variety of species. The Grand Kankakee Marsh was known worldwide for its waterfowl.

Kankakee Managed Areas

Six wetland conservation areas are managed through this property:

• Bittern Bog Wetland Conservation Area (74 acres)
• Dick Blythe Wetland Conservation Area (202 acres)
• Koontz Lake Wetland Conservation Area (58 acres)
• Round Lake Wetland Conservation Area (188 acres)
• Sprig Slough Wetland Conservation Area (109 acres)
• Turkey Foot Wetland Conservation Area (153 acres)
• Horseshoe Bend Public Fishing Area (10.7 acres)

A record of Fish & Wildlife Area property rules can be found on the Indiana Fish & Wildlife Area Rules webpage.  Property specific rules can be found below, if applicable. Contact the property directly for specific questions.

Permits

In addition to a hunting and/or fishing license, the following permits are required:

• Permission to hunt during the day must be obtained before entering the field. Daily hunt permit cards must be in possession of the hunter and recorded through established self-service procedures outlined at the check station. Self-service drop boxes are located on the property for your convenience.
• Night and predator hunting: Daily hunt permit cards must be in possession of the hunter and recorded through established self-service procedures outlined at the check station. Self-service drop boxes are located on the property for your convenience.
• Waterfowl hunting is permitted through a drawing system and registration at the checking station. One-day permit cards will be provided at that time. Self-service drop boxes are located on the property for your convenience.
• No check-in or written permission is required for fishing. Fishing areas are restricted during waterfowl season. Please ask for details in headquarters.
• A Lake Permit is NOT required.

• Property map