There are opportunities for hunting deer, squirrel, rabbit, quail, and turkey at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge. Special regulations apply for deer and turkey hunting, and all hunters need to wear orange.

Fishing takes place in refuge waters marked with “Public Fishing Area” signs. Most anglers fish for largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish. Non-motorized boats may be used in Stanfield Lake.

For a great place to reconnect with a favorite childhood activity or to try it for the first time, make plans to fish at a national wildlife refuge soon.  Find more information with our on-line Guide to Fishing on National Wildlife Refuge.

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge has excellent opportunities for wildlife observation, and approximately nine miles of roads are open for driving, including a four-mile auto tour. There are five hiking trails, two observation decks, plus a number of abandoned farm roads open for exploring.

Special events at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge provide opportunities for learning about birds, fishing, wildlife, and wetlands. Wetland Day is the third Saturday in March, The Wings Over Muscatatuck Bird Festival takes place the second weekend in May, and the Take A Kid Fishing Event is held the first Saturday in June.   

Other events include Earth Day Cleanups, National Public Lands Day Events, a National Wildlife Refuge Week celebration in October, and a Friend’s group sponsored Log Cabin Day Festival.   There are also photo contests held in conjunction with the bird festival and Refuge Week celebrations.   Email the refuge for entry forms, rules, and deadlines.

Environmental education is an important activity at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge. Refuge and volunteer staff work with school, youth, and civic groups on a regular basis and do some offsite programs in the local community.

Teacher workshops are held on the refuge annually and many resources for educators are available on loan. An Indiana Master Naturalist Course, held each year in March and April, provides adults with knowledge of many natural resource topics. A student Junior Master Naturalist Course is held in each summer.

Muscatatuck Refuge manages the Indiana Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest, a “conservation through art” learning opportunity that is easy to enter and promotes learning about waterfowl and wetlands.

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge is a great place for photographers and, with patience and the right equipment, excellent photos can be taken from refuge roads and trails. Photo opportunities vary with the season with early morning and late evening being the best times to find close-up photos of wildlife.