Indiana's for-real, not-kidding shark week

This story originally published on June 28, 2015.

It's hard to believe a shark could turn up in Indiana.

But three sharks? No way.

But way. The fall of 1976 was an eventful time for marine biology in Indiana.

On Oct. 3 Ray Fulkerson snagged himself a tiger shark while fishing on the Monroe Reservoir near Bloomington. The fish was still alive when the Mitchell man got it to the Fourwinds Marina.

"It was placed in a freezer and the enforcement division of the DNR notified," said a brief story in The Indianapolis News.

On Oct. 5 two tiger sharks were found in the city reservoir in Batesville in southeastern Indiana.

Joe Janisch, a fish expert at the DNR, told The News the invasive species were probably a practical joke, but the joker didn't realize that stocking fish into state waters was against the law. "It can cause real problems for any body of water when exotic fish are introduced," he said.

The joker also had terrible timing. He was real late. The movie "Jaws" came out 16 months prior.

The movie is now having a moment for its 40th anniversary. In theaters since June 21, the film will be shown on the big outdoor screen at the Indianapolis Museum of Art on July 3.

Batesville's sharks, which were young, were "pickled" at the state fish hatchery at Martinsville, The News reported.

Their current whereabouts are a mystery. Jeff Malwitz, property manager at the fish hatchery since 1983, said never in his life has he seen a pickled shark.

Contact Star reporter Will Higgins (317) 444-6043. Follow him on Twitter @WillRHiggins.