14 Strange (But True) Laws You’ll Only Hear About in Indiana

Indiana, where basketball is a religion, tenderloins are the size of hubcaps, and the legal system has a flair for the peculiar. Sure, the Hoosier State is best known for fast cars and cornfields—but buried in its law books are some real gems that range from oddly specific to downright ridiculous. Buckle up and mind your giraffes, folks—these are the laws that could only happen in Indiana.

1. It’s Illegal to Catch a Fish with Your Bare Hands

So-called “noodling” might be a tradition in some parts of the country, but in Indiana, it’s considered a crime. Grab a pole—or face the trout of justice.

2. You Can’t Ride Public Transportation for 30 Days if You’ve Been Caught Spitting on It

Spit on a city bus in Indianapolis? Hope you like walking—you’re banned from the bus for a whole month.

3. Mustaches Are Illegal If the Bearer Habitually Kisses Other Humans

A law once declared it illegal for a man with a mustache to “habitually kiss” others. We’re not sure if it’s the germs or the tickles they’re worried about.

4. It’s a Crime to Sell Cold Beer in a Grocery Store

Unless you’re a licensed liquor store, don’t even think about chilling that six-pack. Warm beer only, Hoosier-style.

5. No Colorful Drinks in Transparent Cups on Election Day

In one Indiana county, the law prohibits serving colored beverages in clear cups near polling places—so no red punch or blue Gatorade that could sway the vote.

6. You May Not Back Into a Parking Spot in Beech Grove

Beech Grove really said, “We want to see your license plate at all times.” Reverse parkers, consider yourselves warned.

7. Don’t Bathe Between October and March Without a Permit (at Least in Some Old Codes)

An ancient (thankfully defunct) ordinance once required a permit to bathe in the winter months. Because apparently the real danger wasn’t frostbite—it was cleanliness.

8. You Can’t Attend a Puppet Show if You’re Drunk

Yes, Indiana once had a law on the books that prohibited intoxicated individuals from watching puppet shows. It’s unclear what sparked this, but someone clearly took Pinocchio too seriously.

9. Monkeys Must Not Smoke Cigarettes

You read that right. If your primate pal is puffin’ away in public, the law says no. Indiana: keeping chimps clean since… whenever this law happened.

10. It’s Illegal to “Rob a Chicken” in Warsaw

This old ordinance prohibits robbing poultry houses or even “intimidating” chickens. So if your feathers get ruffled, make sure it’s mutual.

11. You Cannot Horse Around on a Sunday

In certain towns, you’re not allowed to go to the theater, dance, or play games on Sundays. The “no fun” clause, now brought to you by colonial guilt.

12. It’s Illegal to Cross State Lines with a Duck on Your Head

Sure, this sounds made up—but it’s long been rumored that you can’t enter Indiana with a duck atop your dome. We don’t know who did this—but they did it loudly.

13. No Grocery Shopping in Costume Unless It’s Halloween

Some towns have banned wearing costumes in public unless it’s a sanctioned holiday. So if you’re dressed as a hot dog in July, you better be very confident.

14. It’s Illegal to Eat Watermelon in a Park in Evansville

Evansville banned watermelon in parks to prevent sticky rinds and ant riots. The fruit may be sweet—but the law is salty.

So there you have it—Indiana: where you can drive 200 mph at the Indy 500 but not buy a cold beer in your grocery store. The Hoosier State may be practical on the surface, but its laws are as delightfully weird as a kissing mustache at a puppet show.

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