A Birdseye woman has been charged following an investigation into the illegal taking of a paddlefish in Dubois County. Indiana Conservation Officers say they received a report around 5 p.m. on February 16 of paddlefish being unlawfully snagged at the Patoka Lake spillway. The investigation led officers to a Crawford County residence, where 45-year-old Crystal Sheets was found in possession of a paddlefish and in violation of a protective order. Sheets was taken into custody and charged with misdemeanor unlawful possession of paddlefish, as well as violating the protective order. Paddlefish are a native species in Indiana with declining populations. It is illegal to take paddlefish for sport in Indiana waters, except on the Ohio River with a proper roe harvester’s license.
