What had been the largest public freshwater lake in Indiana without a public access site now has one. The DNR received a donation of land adjacent to Hudson Lake in LaPorte County in 2018 for the development of a boat launch. The DeGroote family kindly donated the site, which is dedicated to a family member that lost his life in the early 20th century. The Division of Fish & Wildlife has prioritized Hudson Lake for public access development for more than 20 years. The limited availability of land surrounding the lake made it a difficult task to complete, but thanks to the DeGroote family, this site is now a reality. The newly developed boat launching site is now open to the public and free to use. It can accommodate up to 20 vehicles with trailers, is equipped with ADA facilities, and has a portable restroom.