Whether you're new to paddling or a seasoned pro, if you plan to hit the water this summer, the Indiana DNR could use your help.

Places to Paddle in Indiana

Paddling is a popular hobby for many Hoosiers, and whether you prefer canoeing, kayaking, or riding on a paddleboard, there's a place for everyone to paddle.  The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an interactive map that shows you places to paddle all across the state.

According to Indiana DNR this map shows everything you need to plan a day on the water, including water gauges to display stream flow. 

Public access sites, canoe and kayak outfitters, low-head dam locations and river miles are displayed in the map, which also includes USGS water gauges that display real-time stream flow at stations across the state.

 Many folks enjoy taking to the water as a fun and relaxing hobby.  Now your hobby can help out the Indiana DNR track wildlife.

Indiana DNR Wants Paddlers to Help Track Wildlife

When out on the water, it's inevitable that you're going to see wildlife, and if you're going to see them anyway, you may as well report that data to the Indiana DNR.  They are asking that paddlers volunteer to report wildlife sightings when going out on the water.

How Being a Paddle Volunteer for the Indiana DNR Works

The process is simple, if you're able to volunteer your time, the Indiana DNR has postcards that they ask you to fill out.  On the card, you record what animals you come across.

They are specifically looking for folks who go paddling from June 1st to July 31st.

Paddling is a great way to enjoy Indiana’s natural beauty, observe wildlife, and connect with nature. Indiana paddlers have a unique opportunity to observe wildlife while enjoying Indiana’s countless water resources. Indiana DNR would like more information about the wildlife that spend time around Indiana’s waterways. The Indiana Paddlecraft Wildlife Index compiles wildlife observations from people who use canoes, kayaks, or other non-motorized paddlecraft on Indiana’s waterways. Volunteer paddlers can help by completing a paddling trip postcard documenting the wildlife they observed while floating from June 1 to July 31.

What Kind of Wildlife is the Indiana DNR Looking For?

There are several animals that the Indiana DNR is asking folks to report to them during wildlife observations while paddling.

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Here is the list:

The DNR has selected some key species that are either challenging to study or are lacking Indiana-specific information. The species selected are also those paddlers may be able to easily identify. These include:

• Bald Eagle
• Blanding’s Turtle
• Beaver
• Great Blue Heron
• Great Egret
• Kingfisher

• Mink
• Muskrat
• Osprey
• Painted Turtle
• Red Eared Slider
• River Otte

They say that this data will be put into the Paddlecraft Wildlife Index, which will help wildlife managers to estimate changes in populations over time.  They also say that this program with paddlers will also help give DNR insight into potentially finding new locations where these wildlife populations are living.  If you're interested, you can check out all of the volunteer information through the Indiana DNR.