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- LaSalle FWA Alerts (1)
- The Hoosier Prairie Nature Preserve Hunt will not take place for the 2024 Season. We plan to hold the hunt again for the 2025 season.
Description
LaSalle Fish & Wildlife Area provides quality outdoor recreational opportunities while maintaining 4,511 acres of hardwood forests, cropland and fallow fields, marshes, and open water. The property is dominated by wetlands that lie along the Kankakee River and attract thousands of migratory birds throughout the year. The area also has bayous that are still connected to the Kankakee River give visitors a glimpse of what the river looked like pre-settlement. Some popular activities at LaSalle FWA include hunting, fishing, birding, hiking, and kayaking.
The area around LaSalle was once part of the Grand Kankakee Marsh. Acquisition of the land began in 1952 when approximately 1,800 acres were purchased and became Kankakee River State Park. In 1963, after additional acreage was acquired, it was determined that the land was better suited for use as a fish & wildlife area. It was then renamed LaSalle Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA).
Most revenues used in land acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance of LaSalle FWA 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 anglers are proud to provide this property for the enjoyment of all people.
- Amenities
- Modern restrooms and property staff are available for questions at property headquarters during office hours Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. CT.
- Portable toilets are also available at the Stateline and White Oak boat launches (open 24 hours).
Popular activities
All hunters and dog runners are required to sign in and obtain the appropriate one-day access permit before entering the field at this property. The one-day permit card must be completed and returned to a self-service booth, drop box, or property office before you leave.
All other visitors are encouraged to obtain a miscellaneous one-day access permit before entering the field. The one-day access permit should be kept with you while visiting, then completed and returned to a self-service booth, drop box, or office before you leave. The information you provide will help us identify ways to improve Indiana’s FWAs for all users. We appreciate your patience in taking the extra time to complete the permit. Your feedback and comments are valuable to us
- Fishing
- LaSalle FWA provides fishing areas along the Kankakee River and bayous.
- Boat ramps and parking lots are available at White Oak Bayou and State Line Road for the Kankakee River. There is also a boat launch and parking lot for Black Oak Bayou.
- No launch permits are required.
- The river bayous within LaSalle are closed to fishing during waterfowl season. Black Oak Bayou is closed beginning Sept. 1 through the end of waterfowl season.
- When conditions are favorable, Black Oak may be opened for ice fishing during the waterfowl season. Contact the headquarters for more specific info about ice fishing.
- Primary species include bluegill, crappie, small and largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, rock bass, and more.
- Shoreline fishing is limited but available. An ADA-accessible fishing pier is available at the State Line boat ramp.
- There is a 12- to 15-inch slot limit for black bass caught on the Kankakee River and its bayous. No more than two black bass that exceed 15 inches may be kept daily.
- Bowfishing is allowed on the property.
- Hunting
- Duck, goose, turkey, deer, rabbit, dove, squirrel, snipe, sora rail, and woodcock hunting are common.
- All hunting seasons and bag limits apply. See the current hunting regulations for details.
- Special reserve hunts include dove, turkey, and waterfowl.
- LaSalle FWA administers hunting efforts at Conrad Savanna and Hoosier Prairie Nature Preserves.
Deer Hunting
- 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 (i.e., anything that penetrates a tree more than a ½ inch is prohibited, e.g., screw-in steps and screw-in bow and gun hangers).
- Hunting at the Conrad Savanna Nature Preserve is allowed on the opener of deer firearms season and goes through the end of archery season.
Dove Hunting
- Dove hunting is conducted through a draw at 11 a.m. on the first two days of dove season. After the first two days, draws will occur at 11 a.m. if hunting pressure remains high. Once hunting pressure decreases, dove hunting will be self-service.
- Dove hunting hours are subject to change but are generally from noon to 5 p.m. for the first two days of the season.
Turkey Hunting
- Spring turkey hunting is by reservation only for the entire season.
- Stand-by draws for turkey hunting will be held at 4:30 a.m. CT for any remaining spots not filled by reserve hunters. Office opens at 4 a.m. during the spring turkey season.
- Turkey hunting hours at LaSalle FWA are from ½ hour before sunrise until noon and hunters must be out of the field by 1 p.m. CT.
- A total of eight turkey hunters are allowed each day at LaSalle FWA.
Waterfowl Hunting
- Waterfowl drawings are at 4:30 a.m. every day during the season.
- Reserve and standby hunters must arrive and/or register before 4:30 a.m. Office opens at 4 a.m. on waterfowl draw days.
- Outboards are allowed within the Baker Unit, Black Oaks Lowlands Unit, and all river bayous.
- Only electric motors are allowed in the Blackberry Marsh wetland complex.
- No boats are provided on the property.
- 2024/25 Waterfowl Season:
- Trapping
- A trapping draw is held the first Saturday in October at 10 a.m.
- There are five trapping units on LaSalle FWA that are divided into two trapping sessions. First session is Nov. 15 through Dec. 20, and the second session is Dec. 21 through the end of trapping season.
- Wildlife watching & birding
- Once part of Grand Kankakee Marsh, LaSalle’s habitat serves as an ideal stopover for migrating waterfowl and provides excellent waterfowl viewing opportunities.
- Thousands of waterfowl can be observed around the property in the early spring.
- Other species encountered regularly include bald eagles, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, great blue herons, hawks, and other wildlife.
- Black Oak Bayou and the roads surrounding it are closed beginning Sept. 1 through the end of waterfowl season.
More activities
- Biking
- Bicycling is allowed on all paved and gravel roads that are open to vehicle travel. There are no mountain bike trails and off-road travel is prohibited.
- Black Oak Bayou and the roads surrounding it are closed beginning Sept. 1 through the end of waterfowl season.
- Dog running
- Dog training is available in Area 3, west of the headquarters (See map).
- Dogs must be always leashed outside of the dog running and training area unless being used by a registered hunter in the pursuit of game.
- Only service dogs are allowed inside buildings.
- Foraging
- Mushrooms, berries, and nuts may be gathered; however, a written permit is required to remove plants, animals, rocks, and fossils.
- During spring turkey season, no one other than signed-in turkey hunters may be in the field before noon CT.
- Hiking & walking
- Visitors are encouraged to hike, explore, and enjoy LaSalle FWA.
- While there are no designated trails, there are mowed lanes that can be used to explore the property. Inquire at the office for what trails are available when you plan on visiting.
- Black Oak Bayou and the roads surrounding it are closed beginning Sept. 1 through the end of waterfowl season.
- Water recreation
- LaSalle FWA provides access to the Kankakee River and its bayous.
- Swimming is not allowed in any water body within LaSalle FWA.
- Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding are permitted.
- The river bayous within LaSalle are closed to fishing and water recreation during waterfowl season. See waterfowl regulations for specific season dates. Black Oak Bayou is closed beginning Sept. 1 through the end of waterfowl season.
- Boat ramps and parking are available at White Oak Bayou and at State Line Road for the Kankakee River. A boat ramp is also available at Black Oak Bayou.
- Anyone in a boat, kayak, or on a paddle board must be in possession of a wearable personal floatation device while on the water.
- Volunteering
- Need a reason to get outside and move? You can volunteer alone or in small groups at this property. Some possible opportunities include:
- Nest box maintenance - help maintain wood duck nesting structures around the property. This includes changing nesting material and fixing boxes as needed.
- Flower bed weeding/maintenance - help maintain the flower beds around the headquarters building and entrance sign.
- Need a reason to get outside and move? You can volunteer alone or in small groups at this property. Some possible opportunities include:
Other properties managed by this office
- Beaver Dam Wetland Conservation Area is a 17-acre property in the city of Crown Point in Lake County. This emergent wetland is part of a larger wetland complex that extends south. The property provides a stopover for migrating waterfowl and is a great spot for birding in an urban area. Hunting is prohibited. There is no parking lot, but you can view wildlife from 101 Avenue.
- Conrad Savanna Nature Preserve deer hunters sign in at LaSalle FWA headquarters.
- The drawing for deer hunting at Hoosier Prairie Nature Preserve is held at LaSalle FWA headquarters.
