Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area

Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA) in Greene County provides quality outdoor recreational opportunities on 9,098 acres of prairie and marsh habitat. About 12,000 wildlife watchers visit each year, and the property records about 3,500 annual hunting efforts (one hunter visit for one day).

The property features a new office and visitors center with a panoramic observation deck, large windows to view wildlife, and restrooms. The 6,840-square-foot building, which opened in 2016, uses sustainable and energy-efficient materials. A geothermal system provides heating and cooling.

Visitors are required to sign-in at the office or at any self-service centers on the property.

Indiana DNR purchased the property in 2005 with the help of The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), United States Fish & Wildlife Service and many other organizations. Before that purchase, the previous landowner entered into a permanent easement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This permanent easement was part of the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) and consisted of 7,200 acres. NRCS then assumed responsibility for the wetland restoration.

Morgan Bluff Wildlife Management Area:

Morgan Bluff Wildlife Management Area (WMA) includes 455 acres of bottomland hardwoods, ephemeral wetlands, and an oxbow lake bordering the West Fork of the White River in southwestern Greene County. In 2020, INDOT transferred the property to the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife, and restoration work was completed as part of Interstate 69 mitigation. The property provides excellent hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, and waterfowl. Morgan Bluff WMA is open for public use; all regulations for Division of Fish & Wildlife properties apply. Access to the area crosses private land. Visitors should only drive on the gravel access lane and park only in the designated parking lot. View a map of the property.

Ashcraft Wildlife Management Area:

Ashcraft Wildlife Management Area (WMA) includes 62 acres of mixed hardwood forest in eastern Greene County. This property provides hunting opportunities for squirrel, deer, and turkey. Ashcraft WMA is open for public use; all regulations for Division of Fish & Wildlife properties apply. View a map of the property.

All visitors must obtain a one-day access permit before entering the field, regardless of their activity. The one-day access permit must be kept with you while visiting and must be completed and returned to a self-service booth, drop box, or the office before leaving. The information you provide helps us identify ways to improve Indiana’s FWAs for all users. We appreciate your patience in taking the extra time to fill out the permit. Your feedback and comments are valuable to us.

Fishing:

- Fishing is allowed at Goose Pond FWA. Check-in is required.
- Selected units may be closed to fishing and other activities at certain times throughout the year. Please obey all signs.
- Boat launching from a trailer is allowed on Thousand Islands Lake only. Canoes, kayaks, and other small watercraft that can be carried and slid into the water are permissible for use on the rest of the property.
- Boats are limited to a maximum 12-volt electric motor.

Hunting:

- Self-service hunts include squirrel, crow, turkey (after the first five days of spring turkey season), deer archery, deer muzzleloader, frog, sora, snipe, and woodcock (from Oct. 15-31), dove (after Sept. 3) and light geese during the Light Goose Conservation Order. All other hunts are draw hunts.
- Check-in is required for all hunting.
- Certain daily bag limits and shooting times at Goose Pond FWA are more restrictive than those allowed statewide. Check at the office or the self-service booths for more details.
- Possession of lead shot while in the field is prohibited.
- Accessible hunting opportunities are available. Inquire at the property office.
- Goose Pond FWA participates in all youth hunting seasons and occasionally holds special events such as a family frog gigging event and special dove hunts. Inquire at the property office.

Deer:

- Archery and muzzleloader hunting are by self-service procedures.
- Hunting during the firearms season is by draw only; drawings are at the Goose Pond office at 6:15 a.m. on Saturdays, Mondays and Thursdays.
- Tree stands are allowed from Sept. 15 to Jan. 10. Either your name, phone number, and address OR DNR customer ID number must be visible from the ground.

Waterfowl:

- Draws are at 5:30 a.m. on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and at 11 a.m. on Wednesdays.
- Hunting starts at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays.
- Light geese (snow/Ross) may only be hunted during the Central Zone Waterfowl Seasons and during the Light Goose Conservation Order.
- All units south of County Road 200 South, excluding fields B, C, and D are open for self-service hunting during the Light Goose Conservation Order, and hunting ends at 3 p.m. daily.
- Waterfowl hunters may possess a maximum of 25 shot shells during the teal, duck, and dark goose seasons.

Dove:

- The first three days of dove season are by draw only; these draws are at 6:30 a.m. in the property office.
- Shooting hours for dove are 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. from Sept. 1 - 3.
- There is a 50 shell limit for dove hunting.

Upland Game (Quail, Rabbit and Woodcock)

- Draws are at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays and hunting hours are from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Turkey:

- Hunting hours end at 1 p.m. and hunters must leave the field by 2 p.m.
- The first five days of spring turkey season are by draw only; these draws are at 5:30 a.m. in the property office.

Trapping:

Trapping is available through a drawing held on the first Saturday in October.

Volunteer Opportunities:

- Need a reason to get outside and move? You can volunteer alone or in small groups at this property. Some activities include trash pick-up, basic gardening, painting, and more. Call the property office for details.
- While you’re at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area, have fun and fill a bucket with trash.
- Check out a bucket at the Goose Pond FWA Visitors Center, take it with you to fill with trash, and dump the trash when you return the bucket.
- You can also bring your own 5-gallon bucket and pack out the trash with you.
- Report your good work by posting a photo on the Facebook group page "5-gallon challenge" and use the hashtag #bucketINtrashOUT. Every bucket counts.
- Your small act of kindness helps to keep our public lands healthy and beautiful. For additional details, stop in the Visitors Center.

Wildlife Watching:

- With nearly 5,000 acres of shallow water wetlands, 1,300 acres of prairie and more than 30 miles of levees, Goose Pond FWA provides excellent wildlife watching opportunities.
- More than 260 bird species have been documented at Goose Pond FWA.
- Accessible viewing opportunities are available.
- You must sign in at the property office or self-service stations for all activities.
- Mushrooms, berries, and nuts may be gathered; however a written permit is required to remove plants, animals, rocks and fossils.

Neighboring Land:

- Greene-Sullivan State Forest offers hunting, fishing, camping and horseback riding.
- Redbird State Recreation Area offers off-road vehicle (ORV) riding opportunities.
- Hillenbrand FWA offers hunting, fishing and trapping