Ind. Code § 8-2-17-1

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