Header

Sub Navigation

Main Content

Article

Austin Bottoms Conservation Area

Muscatatuck River Project Area

Managed by Crosley Fish & Wildlife Area
Closest town: Austin, IN 47102
812-346-5596
Office Hours: M-F, 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET
 

  • Description

    The area spans more than 26,000 acres along the Muscatatuck River. It is bounded by the intersection of the Muscatatuck with Interstate 65 and State Road 31 on the east side  and flows westward to Jackson-Washington State Forest on the west side. The area stretches across Scott, Jackson and Washington counties.

    Approximately 2,355 acres are now open for use. It consists of a variety of habitat types, dominated by bottomland forests and wetlands.  The bottomland forest consists of species such as maples, oaks, sweetgum, river birch, sycamore and beech.  Many birds use bottomland hardwood forests, such as wild turkey, yellow- and black-crowned night herons, wood ducks, red-headed woodpeckers, screech owls, great horned owls, bald eagles, broad-winged hawks, woodcock, wood thrush, hooded warblers, Kentucky warblers, blue jays and cardinals.  These bottomland hardwoods also provide excellent habitat for many mammals, such as white-tailed deer, bobcat, raccoon, skunk, fox, beaver, otter, mink, opossum, gray squirrel, fox squirrel and flying squirrel.

  • Activities

    Fishing

    Sage’s Ferry Public Access Site is on the Muscatatuck River off of S.R. 39.

    Shoreline fishing is allowed.

    All size and bag limits apply.

    Hunting

    The area is mainly bottomland hardwoods interspersed with wetlands. Hunting is available for deer, turkey, squirrel and waterfowl. Furbearers are also abundant throughout the area. Limited opportunities are available for rabbit, quail and woodcock.

    Tree stands are allowed to be up overnight between Sept. 1 and Jan. 10.

    There are no draws for reserved hunting.

    There is a draw for trapping. Contact Crosley Fish & Wildlife Area office for details.

    No check-in is required to hunt or fish on the area.

    Youth can hunt during the special youth seasons throughout the year.

    All hunting seasons and bag limits apply.

    Portions of Austin Bottoms Conservation Area do allow the use of bonus antlerless licenses. See map for specific locations.

    The area is a great place to view a wide variety of birds and waterfowl. River otters, beavers, deer and other mammals are also common.

    No office sign-in is required to scout, fish, hike or wildlife watch.

    Gathering berries, nuts, and mushrooms is allowed. Spring mushroom hunting is restricted to after noon during the spring turkey season.

    There is no shooting range.

    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.

    Target shooting is prohibited.

  • Maps
  • Photos & Video