With beautiful weather expected, the Indiana Conservation Officers are preparing for big crowds.

FISHERS, Ind. — On the waters of Geist Reservoir, 6-year Indiana Conservation Officer Hunter Lawler and his partner are geared up and ready for the wave of Hoosiers set to hit the lakes for Labor Day.

“We’ll probably see a fair amount of boaters on the water,” Lawler said. “Typically Memorial Day through Labor Day is our peak season. Labor Day is kind of the tail end of it. Last summer holiday and people are going back to school so traffic tends to start slowing down.”

Conservation officers will hit the water too. With beautiful weather expected, the Indiana DNR is preparing for big crowds.

“The Ohio River all the way up to Lake Michigan, conservation officers are going to be on the water for this holiday weekend,” Lawler said.

Officers won’t just be enjoying the lake breeze, they say they’ll be proactive about water safety. Conservation officers will take to the waters on boats to check for life jackets on boats and cracking down on drunk boat operators.

“We’re always looking for sober operators,” Lawler said. “That’s our number one goal with safety, so, looking for sober operators on the water just as officers are on the roadways.”


Indiana law requires all boats to carry personal flotation devices, or lifejackets, for every person on every boat.

People over 13 don’t have to wear the vest the entire time, unless riding a jet ski.

Simple yet important water safety measures, Lawler said, can help prevent tragedies on and in the water.

“We understand that people come out on our waterways to recreate and have a good time with their friends and family and we’re all about that and support that,” Lawler said. “We just want people to use some due regard, stay vigilant, look out for each other and obviously having sober operators and safety equipment on board boats is the number one thing we’re looking for.”

If you experience an emergency on the water and have access to a cell phone, you can still dial 9-1-1 for help. In non-emergency situations or a another direct way to reach DNR, you can call central dispatch at (812) 837-9536.