INDIANA – The Department of Natural Resources asks anglers to report sightings of the mudpuppy to help biologists track mudpuppy records across the state.
During winter, mudpuppies move into shallow water and are more frequently caught by anglers. They can be identified by their red, fluffy gills on the back of their head, although they tend to lay flat against their body when they are out of the water.
If you catch a mudpuppy while fishing, please photograph it, cut your fishing line, and release it back into the water. Report your observation to the DNR herpetologist at HerpSurveys@dnr.IN.gov and include a clear photograph of the mudpuppy, the date, and the location where it was found.
