Ind. Code § 8-2-15-1

Sec. 1. No person, company or corporation shall be permitted to keep, have or maintain any public ferry across any stream running through or bounding on any county in this state, to and from any points without the limits of this state, without first having obtained a license from the board of commissioners of the proper county for that purpose. Such license shall continue in force for five (5) years, and application therefor must be in writing.