Fishing

Refuge waters, including the Patoka River, South Fork, Columbia Mine and adjacent oxbows and overflow wetlands such as Snakey Point and Bucks Marsh and lakes, offer fishing for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish. 

Fishing Regulations

State regulations apply as to license, seasons, sizes, limits, methods of take and species of fish to be taken with the following exceptions:

• We allow fishing only with rod and reel, pole and line, bow and arrow, or crossbow
• Limb lines, jug lines, trot lines, and snares are prohibited as the method of catching fish in refuge waters other than the Patoka River channel.
• Fishing is permitted 24 hours, except the Columbia Mine Unit fishing is permitted from half-hour before legal sunrise to half-hour after legal sunset.
• Minimum size limit for largemouth bass on Snakey Point Marsh and on the Columbia Mine Preserve is 14 inches.
• Minnows, crayfish, leeches, mussels (clams), frogs, turtles and all other reptiles and amphibians are protected and may not be collected or harvested.

Boats

• On refuge property, motorboats are only permitted on Snakey Point Marsh east of the South Fork, when water levels can accommodate this use and on the Patoka River.
• Special boating regulations apply for the Miller Bridge Wetland Area and are posted on-site and available at the Refuge Headquarters.
• To minimize disturbance to wildlife, motorboats are not permitted on other refuge waters. Trolling motors are allowed.
• Air boats are prohibited on all refuge waters.
• Boats may not be left on refuge property overnight.