It's the Law: Before Going Out

Marine Events    IC 14-15-7-3(a;312 IAC 5-3-1

A permit may be required for any of the following situations occurring on public waters. Permits are issued following a site investigation.

• Persons planning an event or wanting to place a structure in the waterway must contact the DNR, Law Enforce­ment Division headquarters for more information and forms. This applies to events or structures such as:
  • Boat race
  • Water-ski event
  • Water-ski course or jump
  • Swimming platform or anchored swim raft
  • Buoys, markers, or flags
• Major organized boating activities to be conducted on public waters require a permit.
  • If you plan to host an event that involves 15 or more watercraft as participants or an event that will draw 50 or more boats as spectators, you need a permit.
  • If you conduct an event on public waters that will disrupt normal boat traffic, you need to apply.

Fishing Tournaments    312 IAC 2-4

• In Indiana, fishing tournaments on public waters can be regulated only by the Department of Natural Resources. However, a county or city park department (or another local entity such as a conservancy district) might place restrictions on the use of an access site, including restrictions pertaining to fishing tournaments. It is advisable to check with the owner/operator of the launch facility before planning your event to see what regulations apply. For more information, visit: www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/
• DNR properties that have public water where fishing tournaments are managed include all of the reservoir properties: Brookville, Hardy, Huntington, Lieber, Mississinewa, Monroe, Patoka, Raccoon and Salamonie lakes. Anyone wishing to hold a tournament on any of these lakes must contact the DNR, State Parks and Reservoirs.

• In addition, the Natural Resource Commission has adopted rules governing fishing tournaments. These rules apply to Lake Wawasee and Syracuse Lake in Kosciusko County.