Woman charged with unlawful paddlefish possession

Indiana Conservation officers arrest Birdseye resident for protected species violation

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

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Indiana Conservation officers have arrested 45-year-old Crystal Sheets of Birdseye for unlawfully possessing a paddlefish, a protected species in the state. Officers received a report of paddlefish being illegally snagged at the Patoka Lake spillway and traced the activity to Sheets' residence in Crawford County, where she was also found to be in violation of a protective order.

Why it matters

Paddlefish are a protected species in Indiana, and their harvest is strictly regulated to prevent overfishing. This arrest highlights the state's efforts to enforce conservation laws and protect vulnerable wildlife populations.

The details

According to the officers, they received a report around 5 PM on February 16th of paddlefish being unlawfully snagged at the Patoka Lake spillway. The investigation led them to Sheets' residence in Crawford County, where they found her in possession of a paddlefish. Sheets was taken into custody for the protective order violation and charged with a misdemeanor for the unlawful possession of the protected paddlefish species.

  • On February 16, 2026, officers received a report of paddlefish being unlawfully snagged at the Patoka Lake spillway.
  • Later that day, officers arrested Crystal Sheets at her residence in Crawford County.

The players

Crystal Sheets

A 45-year-old resident of Birdseye, Indiana who was arrested for unlawful possession of a paddlefish, a protected species in the state.

Indiana Conservation officers

Law enforcement officials responsible for enforcing wildlife and conservation laws in the state of Indiana.

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What’s next

The judge will determine if Sheets will be allowed to post bail for the protective order violation charge.

The takeaway

This arrest underscores the importance of enforcing regulations around protected wildlife species like paddlefish to ensure their long-term sustainability in Indiana's waterways.