Fort Wayne, IN – Tragedy struck Whitley County last February when 44-year-old Robert Baker and 17-year-old Josefine Heger were killed after their snowmobile broke through thin ice on frozen Blue Lake. The crash shocked the northern Indiana snowmobiling community and renewed calls for stricter adherence to safety and trail rules.
According to the Accident Data Center, approximately 200 people die in snowmobile crashes nationwide each year, most involving excess speed, alcohol, or inexperience. Indiana officials are urging riders to prepare early as snow season approaches, emphasizing registration compliance, sober operation, and safe trail conduct.
Indiana maintains hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails, managed through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Indiana Snowmobilers Association. Trails are typically open December through March, depending on snow conditions.
All sleds must be registered — a three-year registration costs $30 — and trail use is restricted to registered snowmobiles only. Riders must remain on marked trails; leaving them constitutes trespassing under Indiana Code 14-16-1. Many trails cross private land leased by the state, and continued access depends on rider compliance.
Riders can use some county roads if permitted locally, but must follow all road laws, including holding a valid driver’s license. DNR officials say helmets are strongly advised, though not mandated statewide. Alcohol-related offenses are prosecuted under standard DUI law.
Trail conditions are updated daily through the Indiana Snowmobilers Association Hotline (574-679-4006), and DNR recommends checking postings before riding.
For registration and course information, visit in.gov/dnr.
