• Description

  Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area is dedicated to providing quality hunting and fishing opportunities while maintaining 4,950 acres of upland game habitat, marsh, running creeks, and shallow impoundments.

  Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area was purchased by the state from Camp Atterbury, an army training installation established in 1942. In 1969, wildlife management efforts began on over 5,400 acres. The remaining military area, a training facility for the National Guard and Army Reserve units, coordinates with Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area to authorize limited hunting on military property when not in conflict with training operations. In October of 2010, 1,250 acres were released to the Indiana National Guard in exchange for 1,990 acres of surplus land from the Indiana Department of Corrections in Putnam County, Indiana. Presently the property totals 4,950 acres.

  Most revenues used in land acquisition, development, operation and maintenance of Atterbury Fish & Wildlife 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 fishermen are proud to provide this property for the enjoyment of all people.

• Activities

  Fishing

  • Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area provides 270 acres of available water, 10 impoundments, including 75-acre Pisgah Lake.
  • Channel catfish, bluegill, redear and largemouth bass are the major species present.
  • Stone Arch Lake, Beaver Bottom and Pisgah Lake have concrete boat ramps, and Teal Marsh and Mallard Marsh have gravel boat ramps.
  • All lakes are limited to a maximum 24-volt electric motor.
  • No check-in is required. However, Beaver Bottom, Teal Marsh, Mallard Marsh, Mink Meadow and Possum Puddle are closed to fishing during waterfowl season.
  • There is a 14-inch minimum size limit on largemouth bass. All other size and bag limits apply. See Fishing Regulations for details.
  • Pisgah Lake and Stone Arch Lake are open to fishing year round.
  • A fishing pier accessible to persons with disabilities is present at Beaver Bottom.

  Hunting

  • Deer, rabbit, squirrel, dove, woodcock, ducks and geese are common at Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area.
  • Check-in is required. All hunting seasons and bag limits apply. See Hunting Regulations for details.
  • Special hunts include a Military/Refuge Deer Hunt, Put-Take Pheasant Hunt.
  • Dog training areas are provided in sections 13-A, 13-B and 13-D. (See map )
  • Dove hunting opportunities on opening day are allocated through a pre-season online draw. Dove hunting on opening day starts at noon. The shell limit for dove hunting is 50 and hunters must use NON-TOXIC shot.
  • Spring turkey hunting opportunities are allocated through a pre-season online draw. All hunters must be out of the field by 2 p.m. Only hunters registered to turkey hunt or fishermen are allowed in the field before 1 p.m. during turkey season.
  • Waterfowl hunting opportunities are allocated through a daily draw. Draw time varies. Please see Atterbury waterfowl for more information.
  • Hunting areas accessible to people with disabilities are available. Ask for details at the headquarters.
  • Tree stands may be left overnight from noon Sept. 15 through Jan. 10.  All stands must be marked with the owner’s name, address, and phone number OR with their DNR Customer ID Number.
  • No public hunting is allowed on Camp Atterbury JMTC facility.

  Trapping

  • Wetland trapping is available through a drawing held the first Saturday in October.

  Wildlife Watching

  • 4,950 acres of upland and woodland game habitat along with marsh and shallow impoundments attract more than 200 species.
  • Atterbury is an excellent songbird viewing area all year round.
  • Mushrooms, berries and nuts may be gathered, however a written permit is required to remove plants, animals, rocks, and fossils.

  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.
  • While you’re at Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area, have fun and fill a bucket with trash!
    • Check out a bucket at the Atterbury FWA office during open hours, take it with you to fill with trash, and dump the trash at the property dumpster.
    • You can also bring your own 5 gallon bucket and pack out the trash with you.
    • Report your good work by posting a photo on the Facebook group page "5 gallon challenge" and use the hashtag #bucketINtrashOUT. Every bucket counts.
    • Your small act of kindness helps to keep our public lands healthy and beautiful. For additional details, stop in the property office.

  Shooting Range

  • Please visit atterburyshootingcomplex.com/ for information on hours and pricing.
  • Archery Range
    The archery range at Atterbury FWA was designed for archers to practice shooting bows/arrows at stationary targets. Targets are provided for the public to use. Longbows, recurve bows, compound bows, and crossbows are permitted. The following restrictions, which promote safety and address maintenance concerns, are in place due to the design features of this range.
    1. Discharging firearms on the archery range is prohibited.
    2. Incendiary or exploding projectiles or targets are prohibited.
    3. Shooting broad heads at provided targets is prohibited.
    4. The archery range is open sunrise to sunset. Shooting after hours is prohibited.

  Neighboring Land

  • Driftwood State Fishing Area is a 260-acre neighboring property ideal for bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie and tiger muskellunge. Plover Pit has two concrete boat ramps, and Meadowlark and Sandpiper pits have gravel access ramps.
  • Johnson County Park and Recreation Area offers camping, fishing, equestrian events and other recreational activities.

    NO Camping and NO Swimming Allowed.

    Please Read and Obey All Signs.

• Rules

  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 on Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area 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 checking station. Self-service drop boxes are located on the property for your convenience.
  • Night and predator hunting is only permitted by daily permit cards.
  • A permit from Atterbury headquarters is required to enter the waterfowl resting area.
  • No check-in or written permission is required for fishing. There is a minimum size limit of 14-inches for largemouth bass in effect on all state-owned, operated, or leased waters except for free flowing streams. Closures exist on five fishing areas during waterfowl hunting season.
  • A launching permit is NOT required on Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area.
• Maps
  • Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area Map interactive map

Photo gallery