Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge consists of more than 10,000 acres of various habitats – including upland and bottomland forest, diverse wetlands and prairie – along 20 miles of the Patoka River in southwestern Indiana. The refuge is known for abundant waterfowl hunting opportunities along the oxbows of the river and in its floodwaters. White-tailed deer, squirrel and turkey are also popular with hunters. Portions of the refuge are marshy and often flood, but hunters willing to put in the effort can find excellent populations of game species. The refuge has furbearer hunting opportunities for fox, coyote, raccoon, skunk and opossum. In some areas, the refuge land is not contiguous, and some areas have poor access because of adjacent private land. The refuge continually updates maps detailing open hunting areas. The refuge also manages the Columbia Mine Preserve (through a conservation easement conservation easement
A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a government agency or qualified conservation organization that restricts the type and amount of development that may take place on a property in the future. Conservation easements aim to protect habitat for birds, fish and other wildlife by limiting residential, industrial or commercial development. Contracts may prohibit alteration of the natural topography, conversion of native grassland to cropland, drainage of wetland and establishment of game farms. Easement land remains in private ownership.
Learn more about conservation easement ) and two satellite units, the White River Bottoms Wildlife Management Area (open to hunting) and the Cane Ridge Wildlife Management Area (closed to hunting). The refuge is actively expanding through its land acquisition program.
For more information on refuge and hunting regulations
| Activity | Season | Harvest | Hunting Units | Special Regulations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Game: (White-tailed deer & Wild Turkey) | Indiana state seasons Special season dates for Columbia Mine Preserve | State harvest limits |
| State regulations apply. Non-toxic shot required. Special regulations apply to the Columbia Mine Preserve and Refuge lands located north of CR 475 S and adjacent to Columbia Mine Preserve. |
| Upland Game: (quail, pheasant, rabbit, squirrel, fox, coyote, opossum, skunk, raccoon) | Indiana state seasons | State harvest limits |
| State regulations apply. Non-toxic shot required. Night hunting permitted for furbearers ONLY |
| Migratory Birds: goose, duck, merganser, coot, dove, snipe, rail, woodcock, crow | Indiana state seasons | State harvest limits |
| State regulations apply. Non-toxic shot required. |
| Fishing | Indiana state seasons | State harvest limits; The refuge prohibits the take of any turtle, frog, leech, minnow, crayfsh, and mussel species. |
| State regulations apply, fishing during daylight hours only, 14" minimum size limit for largemouth bass at Columbia Mine Preserve and Snakey Point, fishing only allowed with rod and reel, pole and line, bow and arrow, or crossbow. Other fishing regulations apply, see Fishing Regulations section of brochure. |
State regulations apply for bag limits. Safety Zones
Discharge of frearms within 150 yards of any dwelling or building on or adjacent to the refuge is prohibited. Hunters are cautioned to identify their targets before shooting. In addition to other hunters, non-hunting visitors are present on the refuge throughout the year and may be on the property at any time.
Hunting is prohibited within 50 yards of the following designated trails: Buck’s Marsh Boardwalk Trail, South Fork Trail and Otter Run Trail.
