Indiana Otter Trapping Season Closes Early After Quota of 750 Reached

Indiana's river otter trapping season ended ahead of schedule after licensed trappers statewide harvested the full quota of 750 river otters, triggering an automatic closure built into the season's framework. The season had been set to run from Nov. 15 through March 15, but by rule it closes whenever total harvest levels reach the statewide limit.

Local reporting confirmed the closure on March 5, with 18 WJTS in Jasper and the Dubois County Herald both citing that date. The DNR Fish and Wildlife page separately listed March 11 as the official close date, a discrepancy that may reflect the difference between when the 750th otter was reported in the field and when DNR finalized the administrative closure on its systems. The DNR also notes its harvest dashboard does not update in real time and directs trappers to the Division of Fish and Wildlife Activity Hub for current quota data.

"Mild winter weather gave licensed trappers great opportunity this year," said Geriann Albers, DNR furbearer and turkey program leader. "Indiana is fortunate that our systems and regulations allow us to strike a good balance between providing trapping opportunity and ensuring our river otters continue to thrive in Indiana."

The season's framework was designed with conservation in mind. DNR continues to collect biological data from legally harvested otters to guide future management decisions, including any adjustments to the annual quota.

Trappers who took an otter within 48 hours after the season closed were still required to report the harvest to the CheckIN Game system within that same window. Beyond that, any otter caught incidentally outside the 48-hour period should be reported to the DNR Law Enforcement hotline at 812-837-9536. The agency notes there is no penalty for the accidental trapping of an otter out of season.

The two-step registration process remains in effect for the current harvest. Successful trappers must register within 24 hours through CheckIN Game, then bring the skinned carcass and separated pelt to a designated DNR employee or registration station for physical registration and CITES tagging within 15 days after the month of harvest. Federal law requires each otter pelt to be tagged before it can be sold. The seasonal bag limit is two otters per person.

For current information on harvest totals and season status, call 317-232-4200 or visit on.IN.gov/ottertrapping. DNR news releases are available at dnr.IN.gov.