What special fishing regulations apply at Turtle Creek Reservoir?

Turtle Creek Reservoir carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Indiana's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass and Channel catfish. One of them reads: "1,540-acre Sullivan County cooling-water reservoir (PSI/Merom Station) — trophy black bass special reg: 20 in min largemouth + smallmouth, 1 / day (highest bass minimum in Indiana, tied with Sugar Creek); no bag limit on channel catfish; crappie + bluegill + redear." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Turtle Creek Reservoir?

Yes. Turtle Creek Reservoir is in Indiana, so a valid Indiana fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) — Division of Fish & Wildlife. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Turtle Creek Reservoir; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Indiana rules.

Do Turtle Creek Reservoir's special rules replace Indiana's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Indiana's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Turtle Creek Reservoir by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Turtle Creek Reservoir?

Largemouth bass and Channel catfish have a water-body-specific rule on Turtle Creek Reservoir, each linking to its full Indiana regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Indiana limits.

2026 regulation year

Turtle Creek Reservoir 2026 — Indiana Fishing Regulations

Indiana statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 9, 2026

Turtle Creek Reservoir carries 3 special-regulation overlays on top of Indiana's 2026 fishing rules — covering Largemouth bass, Channel catfish. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

Get change alerts

Watch Turtle Creek Reservoir (IN) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

1,540-acre Sullivan County cooling-water reservoir (PSI/Merom Station) — trophy black bass special reg: 20 in min largemouth + smallmouth, 1 / day (highest bass minimum in Indiana, tied with Sugar Creek); no bag limit on channel catfish; crappie + bluegill + redear
Source: Indiana special-water list

Per-species rules on Turtle Creek Reservoir

Largemouth bass regulations →
20 in min, 1 / day; trophy-bass cooling reservoir — highest bass minimum in IN
Channel catfish regulations →
No bag limit on channel catfish (special-regulation water)

Official source

Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) — Division of Fish & Wildlife publishes the authoritative 2026 Indiana fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Indiana fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Indiana Department of Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any Indiana trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Indiana

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Turtle Creek Reservoir?: Turtle Creek Reservoir carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Indiana's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass and Channel catfish. One of them reads: "1,540-acre Sullivan County cooling-water reservoir (PSI/Merom Station) — trophy black bass special reg: 20 in min largemouth + smallmouth, 1 / day (highest bass minimum in Indiana, tied with Sugar Creek); no bag limit on channel catfish; crappie + bluegill + redear." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Turtle Creek Reservoir?: Yes. Turtle Creek Reservoir is in Indiana, so a valid Indiana fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) — Division of Fish & Wildlife. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Turtle Creek Reservoir; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Indiana rules.
Do Turtle Creek Reservoir's special rules replace Indiana's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Indiana's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Turtle Creek Reservoir by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Turtle Creek Reservoir?: Largemouth bass and Channel catfish have a water-body-specific rule on Turtle Creek Reservoir, each linking to its full Indiana regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Indiana limits.

← Back to Indiana regulations overview