Early waterfowl hunting dates set for Turtle Creek Reservoir

Turtle Creek Reservoir will host waterfowl hunting days in conjunction with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ fall waterfowl hunting season. The 1,500-acre reservoir, operated by Hoosier Energy, will also have limited fishing hours during those days when hunting is permitted.

The early duck and goose hunting season dates at Turtle Creek will be October 15, 16 and 17.

Random draws for hunting locations will be held at 5 a.m. each day and hunting will be allowed until noon.

The reservoir will be closed for fishing from 4 a.m. until noon each day. After October 17, daylight fishing (sunrise to sunset) will be permitted at Turtle Creek through November 18.

The reservoir will close for the fishing season on November 19 and reopen on January 21, 2006, for daylight fishing.

The late hunting season for duck and geese at Turtle Creek will begin on Friday, November 25, and continue on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the rest of the season, which ends on January 20, 2006.

Again, hunting will only be allowed until noon. The random draws for late-season waterfowl hunting locations will be held at 6 a.m. each day.

Another late season hunting period at Turtle Creek, for geese only, will be daily from January 21-30 on the south end of the lake. These will also be morning hunts.

If Turtle Creek Reservoir’s public boat ramp is iced over during the waterfowl season, boats will not be allowed on the water. Also, wind speeds of 30 mph. will require the reservoir to be closed until conditions improve to acceptable standards. In addition, upland game hunting is not permitted at the lake or on other area properties owned by Hoosier Energy.

User fees for Turtle Creek Reservoir are: $1 for persons 16 years old and younger and 65 years old and older; all others will be charged $3.

A valid hunting license and required waterfowl stamps are necessary to hunt at Turtle Creek Reservoir. Waterfowl hunters must register with the Harvest Information Program (HIP), with their HIP number recorded on their licenses. In addition, all other state and federal waterfowl hunting regulations also apply. Hunters must use state-approved shot.

Besides being one of southwestern Indiana's popular recreation areas, Turtle Creek Reservoir provides cooling water for the Merom Generating Station. The power plant is owned by Hoosier Energy, the power supplier for 17 central and southern Indiana electric cooperatives.