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Just passing on some information about fishing in the Indiana Harbor Ship Canal. Tuesday (3-15-2022) we were trolling down the harbor around by the discharge heading to the canal. Turned into the canal heading west along the north wall when a red pickup truck drove up sounding a siren. The truck stopped and a female security guard exited and told us that we were trespassing and we needed to leave. She told us that if we didn't leave that she would call the Coast Guard and we would run the risk of being arrested. I explained to her that I have been fishing these water for approximately four years and was unaware that these waters where owned by the Steel Mill. Needless to say we complied and trolled our way out. We did  manage to boat one really nice 20" coho. 
So today (3-18-2022)  jumped on the internet and did some research on the Indiana Harbor Ship Canal. I did not find anything that came close to say that Indiana Harbor Ship Canal waters were restricted in anyway. I called the Indiana DNR office and had to leave a message for an Officer to call  me back. At the time of this post I did not receive a return call.
I then call the Coast Guard Station Calumet Park . They were unaware of any restrictions in the ship canal to enforce. They referred me to the US Coast Gard Home office (630-986-2155). I spoke to Coast Guard Officer Nathon Mills  what occurred. Basically he said he was unaware of any restrictions for the canal. Mills did say that if anyone would tie to their walls and or attempt to enter onto the land would be trespassing. Officer Mills gave me a web site of their Maritime Security laws. The web site www.ecfr.gov (Code of Federal Regulation). Officer Mills Pointed me to two parts that would cover what we were talking about. Title 33 CFR parts 105 and 165. I haven't read them yet but plan to.
Sorry for a long post but I just wanted to make everyone aware of this incident. I agree after speaking to Officer Mills that as long as we troll the waters and not step foot on land or tie our boats to the walls (unless an emergency develops) we have the right to be there. 
I did find one web site, fishbrain.com that talked about Indiana Harbor fishing regulation but nothing was listed.

Be safe out there, respect others, property and regulations.

At this time I found nothing that pointed to the canal being restricted to troll the waters. Not to say that it couldn't change at any time. Not sure how we would know if or when the canal would be off limits. Anyone has further information please share.

DEFUND THE MILL COPS !!!!

Thank you for the information,let us know if DNR calls you back.

Wow i have been fishing that canal for years . I even go all the way to the back and small mouth fish some times .
Thanks for the information 

Never once have I ever had a problem there.

Just a follow up.  Spoke to Officer Teri Millefoglie from the Michigan City DNR office. Officer Millefoglie 100% confirmed that there is no restrictions what so ever to fish the Indiana Harbor Ship Canal. The only way it can be restricted would be by a law being passed. Nothing in the works.  Officer Millefoglie did state that the "ONLY" waterway that is restricted for boating/fishing is the Burns Waterway Harbor. The only fishing in the Burns Waterway Harbor is from shore. You enter thru the guard gate and drive thru the mill to the area on Ship Drive. 

Let's fish. Remember be safe, help each other out and be mindful of the boats/tugs and barges around us.

Lund wrote:

Just a follow up.  Spoke to Officer Teri Millefoglie from the Michigan City DNR office. Officer Millefoglie 100% confirmed that there is no restrictions what so ever to fish the Indiana Harbor Ship Canal. The only way it can be restricted would be by a law being passed. Nothing in the works.  Officer Millefoglie did state that the "ONLY" waterway that is restricted for boating/fishing is the Burns Waterway Harbor. The only fishing in the Burns Waterway Harbor is from shore. You enter thru the guard gate and drive thru the mill to the area on Ship Drive. 

Let's fish. Remember be safe, help each other out and be mindful of the boats/tugs and barges around us.

For anybody that is confused, many people refer to "Burns Waterway Harbor", which is the official name I think -  as the Port of Indiana, which became restricted for security reasons after 9/11


Security for mills/casinos can be overly aggressive. I've been harassed fishing by Blue Chip Casino on multiple occasions. I'm not sure if it's just ignorant security guards or what.

In any case, it's good to have the DNR Law Enforcement Dispatch number on hand for situations like that . 812-837 - 9536