Starve Hollow State Recreation Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Starve Hollow State Recreation Area, Indiana, USA |
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 Starve Hollow State Recreation Area, Indiana, USA
Location in Indiana
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| Location | Jackson County, Indiana, United States |
| Nearest city | Vallonia, Indiana |
| Area | 280 acres (110 ha) |
| Governing body | Indiana Department of Natural Resources |
Starve Hollow State Recreation Area is a cool outdoor spot in Vallonia, Indiana. It's a special kind of park called a state recreation area. This area covers about 280 acres, which is like 210 football fields! It was once part of a bigger forest called Jackson–Washington State Forest.
At Starve Hollow, you can do lots of fun things. People love to go fishing, swimming, and hiking here. There's even a nature center where you can learn more about the plants and animals.
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Exploring Starve Hollow Lake
The main attraction at Starve Hollow is its beautiful lake. It's called Starve Hollow Lake. This lake is a bit shallow because of dirt and sand, called sediment, that washes in from nearby farms.
Plants and Fish in the Lake
The lake is home to many different water plants. You'll see lots of lily pads and tall cattails, especially in the northern and eastern parts of the lake. These plants make a great home for fish!
The lake is stocked with several kinds of fish. You might catch largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, or even channel catfish. It's a great place for fishing adventures!
Wildlife in the Forest
The forests around Starve Hollow Lake are full of amazing animals. These are mostly hardwood forests, meaning they have trees like oaks and maples.
Animals You Might See
Keep an eye out for white-tailed deer, which are common here. You might also spot ruffed grouse, eastern wild turkeys, rabbits, quail, doves, and squirrels. For bigger animals, there are foxes, coyotes, and raccoons.
Special Bird Sightings
Sometimes, if you visit in the winter when the lake isn't frozen, you might even see a majestic bald eagle! These large birds are a wonderful sight.
Camping at Starve Hollow
If you love spending the night outdoors, Starve Hollow has two places to set up camp.
Main Campground
The main campground has many spots right by the water. Imagine waking up to a lake view!
RV Campground
There's another campground located west of the lake. This one is perfect for larger recreational vehicles, often called RVs. It has more space for bigger campers.
Lake Improvements for the Future
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources, which manages the park, had a plan to make the lake even better.
Dam Repair and Fish Management
In the fall of 2008, they planned to temporarily drain the lake. This was to fix the dam that holds the lake's water. They also wanted to remove a type of fish called gizzard shad. These fish can be harmful to the other fish that people like to catch, so removing them helps keep the lake healthy for everyone.
