Post by Indiana Fisherman on Nov 8, 2011 2:11:22 GMT -5
Indiana DNR Fishing Reports. Indiana Fishing Reports. Indiana Fishing Info.
This page was last updated on NOV 07 2011 02:47 P.M.
Hardy Lake
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
A 741-acre lake, Hardy Lake is located in Scottsburg in Scott County. Facilities include an archery range, basketball and volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, boating ramps, camping, and cultural arts programs. The reservoir also has hunting and fishing, hiking, interpretive programs, picnicking, rowboat rentals, shelterhouses, a swimming beach and waterskiing.
Black crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.
Bait: Minnows - Bee Moths
Depth: 12 ft
Comments about fish:
Crappie are being caught near the dam area and standing timber ranging in size from 11 to 13 inches.
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: Crickets-Bee Moths
Depth: 6 to 10 ft
Comments about fish:
Fishing activity remains slow.
Channel catfish
Description:
The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.
Bait: night crawlers, cut bait
Depth: bottom
Comments about fish:
Fishing activity remains slow.
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: Artificial
Depth: varied, rubber worms
Comments about fish:
Fishing Activity remains slow.
Muskellunge
Description:
Members of the Pike family, the muskellunge, tiger muskellunge and northern pike have established themselves as remarkable adversaries through the years. The muskie, native to Indiana, is now usually found in stocked bodies of water. The northern pike, a voracious eater and popular among anglers, can be found in northern Indiana in natural lakes and streams. The muskie has three distinct color patterns, including green to silver "clear" sides, dark spots or dark vertical bars, six or more sensory pores on each side and scales covering only the top half of both cheeks. The muskie can weigh 10-20 pounds, but can reach weights over 30 pounds and lengths up to four feet long. Lures up to 12 inches are designed to resemble medium-sized fish and even small ducks.
Bait: Crank Bait
Depth: 10' to 15'
Comments about fish:
Poor but when one is caught it is usually a large fish, well over the minimum size limit of 36 inches.
Redear sunfish
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The redear sunfish has an opercle flap (ear) that is tipped with a red or orange margin.
Bait: Crickets-Bee Moths-Redworms
Depth: 6 to 10 ft
Comments about fish:
Fisherman have reported catching Redear.
Striped bass
Description:
These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The striped bass has tooth patches on back of tongue in two parallel patches, first stripe below lateral line complete to tail, stripes above lateral line are unbroken.
Bait: Large Minnow or Artificial Large Minnows
Depth: Trolling
Comments about fish:
Fishing activity remains slow.
Comments about body of water:
Water level is at summer pool.
This page was last updated on NOV 07 2011 01:04 P.M.
St. Joseph River
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
The St. Joe River and its tributaries drain approximately 2,600 square miles in southwestern Michigan and 1,685 square miles in northern Indiana. Located primarily in Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, the river is home to thirty-six species of fish, as of a 1989 DNR survey.Angling opportunities are available for a number of sport fish including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, rock bass, walleye and bluegill. The lower 13 miles of the river from the state line upstream to the Twin Branch Dam also provides steelhead and salmon fishing.
Brown trout
Description:
Ever popular among Indiana anglers is the trout family, which includes the brown, lake and rainbow or steelhead trout. Many fisherman can be spotted on the shores during spawning season when the trout begin their runs into the tributaries. The brown trout has a white mouth, teeth and gums and some orange or red spots on its sides. This trout also has some spots enriched with light blue and a caudal fin margin that is square with no spots on the upper or lower lobe.
Bait: NA
Depth: NA
Comments about fish:
As of November 3, 20 brown trout have been counted moving past the South Bend Fish Ladder. Very few brown trout make it past South Bend. Brown trout are a fall spawner and a brown trout caught in Indiana's stretch of the St. Joe River would be a rare catch.
Chinook salmon or king salmon
Description:
Members of the pacific salmon family, the chinook or king salmon and the coho salmon can be found in Lake Michigan and its tributaries in northern Indiana. Pacific salmons do not feed during spawning, but will strike a lure during their runs. Cohos will spawn in the fall in their third year of life and die, while chinooks will spawn in the fall, winter or spring in the fifth year of life, allowing them to grow larger. The chinook or king salmon teeth are set in dark gums, with black spots on the back and both lobes of the square caudal fin. The chinook or king salmon has 15-17 anal fin rays and averages 30 pounds though some can reach over 100 pounds.
Bait: NA
Depth: NA
Comments about fish:
As of November 3, a total of 827 chinooks have been counted moving past the South Bend Fish Ladder. The chinook spawn is over.
Coho salmon
Description:
Members of the pacific salmon family, the chinook or king salmon and the coho salmon can be found in Lake Michigan and its tributaries in northern Indiana. Pacific salmons do not feed during spawning, but will strike a lure during their runs. Cohos will spawn in the fall in their third year of life and die, while chinooks will spawn in the fall, winter or spring in the fifth year of life, allowing them to grow larger. The teeth of the coho salmon are set in light color gums. The coho salmon has black spots on the upper lobe of a slightly forked caudal fin with 12-15 anal fin rays.
Bait: NA
Depth: NA
Comments about fish:
A total of 1,446 coho have been counted moving past the South Bend Fish Ladder as of November 3. The coho spawn is also over.
Rainbow or steelhead trout
Description:
Ever popular among Indiana anglers is the trout family, which includes the brown, lake and rainbow or steelhead trout. Many fisherman can be spotted on the shores during spawning season when the trout begin their runs into the tributaries. Rainbow or steelhead trout have a white mouth, teeth and gums and small black spots on their backs, sides, and caudal and dorsal fins. The caudal fin margin of the rainbow or steelhead trout is square and the fish has 9-12 anal fin rays.
Bait: bright colored spinners, spawn
Depth: main river channels,
Comments about fish:
Steelhead trout still continue to move into Indiana waters of the St. Joe but the run is starting to slow. A total of 3,205 steelhead have been counted moving past the South Bend Fish Ladder as of November 3. Best fishing for steelhead has been below the Twin Branch and Mishawaka Dams in Mishawaka. The steelhead run should continue until river temperatures drop below 42 degrees.
Comments about body of water:
River water levels are a little high but have dropped down to good levels for both boat and shore fishermen. A total of 5,498 salmonids have been counted moving past the South Bend Fish Ladder. The ladder is passing an average of 15 fish per day, all most all fish are steelhead. River temperature is 49 degrees. Thank you for your interest in the St. Joe River Trout and Salmon Program and good luck fishing this Fall.
This page was last updated on NOV 07 2011 07:30 A.M.
Summit Lake
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Located in Summit Lake State Park, Summit Lake is approximately four miles north of New Castle. Bluegill, perch and largemouth bass provide the best angling opportunities at Summit Lake. Other opportunities also exist for perch, bluegill, crappie, redear and channel catfish.
Black crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.
Bait: small jigs and minnows
Depth: 3-15 feet
Comments about fish:
Crappie should be moving into the shallows.
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: maggots, wax worms, redworms or nightcrawlers, 1/64 oz jigs, artificial flies
Depth: 3-20 feet
Comments about fish:
Bluegill have been actively feeding. Some use ice fishing jigs year round tipped with live bait. Crickets are a favorite this time of year.
Channel catfish
Description:
The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.
Bait: nightcrawlers, liver, soft plastics
Depth: 6-20 feet
Comments about fish:
Channels have become active in the shallows in low light conditions. Along with live bait and stinky bait,they will hit slowly fished lures, especially jigs with curly tails.
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: rattlebaits, spinnerbaits, soft plastics
Depth: 2-20 feet
Comments about fish:
With the cooler weather bass fishing should pick up during the day.
Redear sunfish
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The redear sunfish has an opercle flap (ear) that is tipped with a red or orange margin.
Bait: maggots, wax worms or worms
Depth: 4-20
Comments about fish:
The population is low.
Walleye
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The walleye has no spots on its dorsal fin and a dusky spot at the rear of its spiny dorsal fin, lower tip of tail and anal fin are white.
Bait: minnows, jigs, rattling crankbaits
Depth: 3-25 feet
Comments about fish:
With surface temps down in to the 60's, expect the walleye to move shallower. Walleye prefer low light conditions.
White bass
Description:
These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The white bass has a single tooth patch on back of tongue, first stripe below lateral line not complete to tail.
Bait: small jigs, sthingys and in-line spinners in light colors
Depth: 1-10 feet
Comments about fish:
Schools of white bass have been feeding on the surface in the evening. Casting past the school and retrieving back through usually results in a strike.
Yellow perch
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The yellow perch ranges from 6 to 12 inches long and up to one or two pounds.
Bait: small lures and jigs, minnows and other live bait
Depth: 10-35 feet
Comments about fish:
Nothing heard about the perch catch lately.
Comments about body of water:
Please practice catch and release; remember - you can only eat them once. Row boats and canoes can be rented at the park office. 2012 entrance and lake permits are on sale at the office which is open 8-4 M-F. These passes make great Christmas gifts. The office will be closed for holidays on Nov. 8, 11, 24, 25, and Dec. 23 and 26. The campground is open. Camp reservations: 866-622-6746 or www.CAMP.IN.gov. The water is now turned off in the campground and the fee is $11.22/night. The park will be closed for deer reduction hunts on Nov. 14, 15, 28 and 29. Take a kid fishing and make a memory.
This page was last updated on NOV 04 2011 08:20 A.M.
Summit Lake
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Located in Summit Lake State Park, Summit Lake is approximately four miles north of New Castle. Bluegill, perch and largemouth bass provide the best angling opportunities at Summit Lake. Other opportunities also exist for perch, bluegill, crappie, redear and channel catfish.
Black crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.
Bait: small jigs and minnows
Depth: 3-15 feet
Comments about fish:
Crappie should be moving into the shallows.
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: maggots, wax worms, redworms or nightcrawlers, 1/64 oz jigs, artificial flies
Depth: 3-20 feet
Comments about fish:
Bluegill have been actively feeding. Some use ice fishing jigs year round tipped with live bait. Crickets are a favorite this time of year.
Channel catfish
Description:
The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.
Bait: nightcrawlers, liver, soft plastics
Depth: 6-20 feet
Comments about fish:
Channels have become active in the shallows in low light conditions. Along with live bait and stinky bait,they will hit slowly fished lures, especially jigs with curly tails.
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: rattlebaits, spinnerbaits, soft plastics
Depth: 2-20 feet
Comments about fish:
With the cooler weather bass fishing should pick up during the day.
Redear sunfish
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The redear sunfish has an opercle flap (ear) that is tipped with a red or orange margin.
Bait: maggots, wax worms or worms
Depth: 4-20
Comments about fish:
The population is low.
Walleye
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The walleye has no spots on its dorsal fin and a dusky spot at the rear of its spiny dorsal fin, lower tip of tail and anal fin are white.
Bait: minnows, jigs, rattling crankbaits
Depth: 3-25 feet
Comments about fish:
With surface temps down in to the 60's, expect the walleye to move shallower. Walleye prefer low light conditions.
White bass
Description:
These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The white bass has a single tooth patch on back of tongue, first stripe below lateral line not complete to tail.
Bait: small jigs, sthingys and in-line spinners in light colors
Depth: 1-10 feet
Comments about fish:
Schools of white bass have been feeding on the surface in the evening. Casting past the school and retrieving back through usually results in a strike.
Yellow perch
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The yellow perch ranges from 6 to 12 inches long and up to one or two pounds.
Bait: small lures and jigs, minnows and other live bait
Depth: 10-35 feet
Comments about fish:
Nothing heard about the perch catch lately.
Comments about body of water:
Please practice catch and release; remember - you can only eat them once. Paddleboats and canoes can be rented at the park office. 2011 entrance and lake permits are on sale at the gatehouse and office. The campground is open. Camp reservations: 866-622-6746 or www.CAMP.IN.gov. The office is open 8-4 Monday - Friday. The park will be closed for a deer reduction hunt on Nov. 14, 15, 28 and 29. Take a kid fishing and make a memory.
This page was last updated on NOV 04 2011 03:16 P.M.
Mississinewa Lake
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Located in Miami, Wabash and Grant counties, Mississinewa Lake is a 3,210-acre ake with fishing, boating, ramps, waterskiing, fishing piers and cleaning stations, and a swimming beach. The facilities also has a basketball and volleyball court, camping with reservations, a cultural arts program, dumping station, frisbee golf course, hiking, hunting, interpretive programs, picnicking, shelterhouses, playgrounds and a radio-control flying field.
Black crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.
Bait: minnow and jigs
Depth: varies
Comments about fish:
Fishing fair at this time. small population.
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: worms and bee moths
Depth: varies
Comments about fish:
Fish around exposed wood and next to rocky ledges. Fishing fair.
Channel catfish
Description:
The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.
Bait: night crawlers/cut bait/prepared bait
Depth: varies
Comments about fish:
Fishing fair. Good population in lake.
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: spinner baits/suspended crank baits
Depth: Varies
Comments about fish:
Fishing fair. Reports of large populations of bass in lake.
Smallmouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The last rays on the dorsal fin of the smallmouth bass are separated from the rest of the fin. Also, the upper jaw does not extend beyond back of eye, as it does with the largemouth bass. The smallmouth bass commonly reaches 3-4 pounds.
Bait: spinner and crank baits, jigs
Depth: varies
Comments about fish:
Fishing fair.
Walleye
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The walleye has no spots on its dorsal fin and a dusky spot at the rear of its spiny dorsal fin, lower tip of tail and anal fin are white.
Bait: minnows, shad imitations
Depth: varies
Comments about fish:
best late evening and night in lake. Released small walleye into lake in June.
White bass
Description:
These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The white bass has a single tooth patch on back of tongue, first stripe below lateral line not complete to tail.
Bait: jigs and small spinners / minnows
Depth: varies
Comments about fish:
In lake points and breaks. River best after water clears. Most stripers are caught by trolling edges. Fishing fair at this time.
White crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The white crappie has six dorsal spines, black side markings forming vertical bars rather than random spots and anal fin rays.
Bait: minnows and small jigs
Depth: varies
Comments about fish:
fishing fair.
Comments about body of water:
Lake level at about 6ft below summer pool as of this date. Lake will continue to lower each day. Winter drawdown began Oct 20. Miami, Red Bridge, P. Mill and Frances Slocum ramps ok to launch boats as of this date but may be slick near water edge. Red Bridge and P.Mill restroom closed. Miami Ramp restroom open at this time. Courtesy docks removed from lake. Vault toilet only at Frances Slocum Ramp. Winter camping rates in effect. Water off in campgrounds. Use self registration box located by office door to pay for camping when office closed. "IMPORTANT NEW INFO":Lake Permit stickers for all watercraft (motorized $20.00 and non-motorized $5.00)now required on all boats while on lake/ponds. Call 765-473-6528 for additional information on lake conditions.
This page was last updated on NOV 04 2011 11:23 A.M.
Lake Michigan
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Coho salmon
Description:
Members of the pacific salmon family, the chinook or king salmon and the coho salmon can be found in Lake Michigan and its tributaries in northern Indiana. Pacific salmons do not feed during spawning, but will strike a lure during their runs. Cohos will spawn in the fall in their third year of life and die, while chinooks will spawn in the fall, winter or spring in the fifth year of life, allowing them to grow larger. The teeth of the coho salmon are set in light color gums. The coho salmon has black spots on the upper lobe of a slightly forked caudal fin with 12-15 anal fin rays.
Bait: Tribs: Brightly colored spinners, sthingys
Depth: Lake: Up to 35 FOW
Comments about fish:
It looks as if the salmon season is coming to a close on NW Indiana tribs as very few coho & chinook salmon were reported to the creel clerks this week. Don’t be surprised if you do catch a coho or two over the coming weeks as a few will continue to trickle into the creeks.Lake trout
Description:
Ever popular among Indiana anglers is the trout family, which includes the brown, lake and rainbow or steelhead trout. Many fisherman can be spotted on the shores during spawning season when the trout begin their runs into the tributaries. The lake trout has a white mouth, teeth and gums, a caudal fin that is deeply forked and a body color that is light to dark gray with light spots.
Bait: Sthingys, bodybaits
Depth: Within 10' of bottom
Comments about fish:
Water temps are ideal for lake trout fishing, unfortunately, water visibility in southern LM is poor, around 12". Once water clarity improves, anglers can expect good fishing well into the fall season. A perennial hotspot for lakers is along the submerged break water just outside the Port of Indiana. No specialized gear is needed in that area because it is a relatively shallow hump, around 14-20' of water. Flatlining sthingys & bodybaits are effective methods for catching fall lake trout. Another good place to try is the detached breakwater in MC. This week, personnel with the IDNR LM Fisheries Research completed fall spawning lake trout assessments just off the detached breakwater in MC. Despite poor water condition, 25 lake trout were netted with the largest around 12 lbs.
Rainbow or steelhead trout
Description:
Ever popular among Indiana anglers is the trout family, which includes the brown, lake and rainbow or steelhead trout. Many fisherman can be spotted on the shores during spawning season when the trout begin their runs into the tributaries. Rainbow or steelhead trout have a white mouth, teeth and gums and small black spots on their backs, sides, and caudal and dorsal fins. The caudal fin margin of the rainbow or steelhead trout is square and the fish has 9-12 anal fin rays.
Bait: Pier: Shrimp, sthingys Tribs: Shrimp, small spawn sacs, spinners
Depth: Lake : Up to 35 FOW
Comments about fish:
No shore action reported this week. Good numbers, including fresh winter runs, have been caught by anglers in the tribs. Anglers fishing Trail Cr report steady action, especially in the middle/upper reaches. Salt Cr anglers report steelhead action is primarily located in the lower/middle reaches. Anglers fishing the E Br of the Little Cal stated that action is occurring in the lower reaches. Spawn sacs & shrimp continue to be the top producing baits drifted just off the bottom through the deepest holes & runs. A few anglers had success with white microjigs fished under a float in similar areas. Spinners with orange or silver blades also produced fish, especially around snags adjacent to deeper water.
Yellow perch
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The yellow perch ranges from 6 to 12 inches long and up to one or two pounds.
Bait: Minnows
Depth: Greater than 35 FOW
Comments about fish:
No lake or shore action to report this week.
Comments about body of water:
Surface water temp in the harbor of MC was 51°F. Area tribs are exhibiting average flows with clear water conditions. Anglers can expect little change this weekend as no precip is forecasted for the region. Water temp of Trail Cr at Friendship Gardens was 47° F. Personnel with Bodine & Mixsawbah SFH continue to stock fall trout & salmon fingerlings into NW Indiana tribs. On October 25, Salt Cr received a stocking of just over 30,000 coho salmon averaging 6". The fish hatcheries have also stocked additional cohos & steelhead. I will update those numbers as they become available
This page was last updated on NOV 03 2011 11:20 A.M.
Brookville Reservoir
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Brookville Reservoir is a 5,260 acre flood control impoundment on the East Fork of the Whitewater River in eastern Indiana. Fishing opportunities are available for walleye and muskie.
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: bee larvae, crickets
Depth: 5- 20 feet
Comments about fish:
in coves around stick-ups,
Channel catfish
Description:
The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.
Bait: nightcrawlers, chicken liver
Depth: 4-20 feet
Comments about fish:
best at night, catching them almost everywhere
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: crankbaits
Depth: 5- 20 feet
Comments about fish:
along shoreline, and on deep points
Smallmouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The last rays on the dorsal fin of the smallmouth bass are separated from the rest of the fin. Also, the upper jaw does not extend beyond back of eye, as it does with the largemouth bass. The smallmouth bass commonly reaches 3-4 pounds.
Bait: nightcrawlers, soft craws
Depth: 10- 20
Comments about fish:
on rocky points and drop offs at coves
Striped bass
Description:
These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The striped bass has tooth patches on back of tongue in two parallel patches, first stripe below lateral line complete to tail, stripes above lateral line are unbroken.
Bait: bluegill or shad still fishing or trolling large doll flys
Depth: 20 feet still fishing or 10 - 20 feet trolling
Comments about fish:
trolling shad-like crankbaits some reports of large striped bass being taken
Walleye
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The walleye has no spots on its dorsal fin and a dusky spot at the rear of its spiny dorsal fin, lower tip of tail and anal fin are white.
Bait: night crawlers drifting on the bottom
Depth: 6 - 45 feet
Comments about fish:
catching them off of points with steep drop offs
White bass
Description:
These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The white bass has a single tooth patch on back of tongue, first stripe below lateral line not complete to tail.
Bait: white twister tails
Depth: 5 to 20 feet
Comments about fish:
Good year class
White crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The white crappie has six dorsal spines, black side markings forming vertical bars rather than random spots and anal fin rays.
Bait: minnows or jigs
Depth: 5 to 20 feet
Comments about fish:
white crappie are around stick-ups in coves and along shore
Comments about body of water:
The lake level today is 745.3 and falling. Water clear. Water cooling, catching some crappies and walleye. Fisheries survey said that the most numerous fish in the lake is the channel catfish , second most is bluegill.
This page was last updated on NOV 03 2011 11:20 A.M.
Whitewater Memorial State Park lakes
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Located in Union County, Whitewater Memorial State Park has two lakes including Whitewater Lake and nearby Brookville Lake. Facilities include a boat launch ramp, motor boats (electric trolling only) camping with reservations, horseman's camp, cultural arts programs, a dumping station, fishing, hiking, seasonal interpretive services, picnicking, canoe, paddleboat and rowboat rentals, reservable shelters, youth tent areas and a swimming beach.
Black crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.
Bait: minnows, jigs
Depth: 5 - 12 feet
Comments about fish:
around stumps and down trees
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: red worms, bee larvae, crickets
Depth: 2 - 20 feet
Comments about fish:
use crickets or bee larvae
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: spinner baits, crankbaits
Depth: 2 - 15 feet
Comments about fish:
practice catch and release to help the fishery
Redear sunfish
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The redear sunfish has an opercle flap (ear) that is tipped with a red or orange margin.
Bait: red worms
Depth: 2 - 12 feet
Comments about fish:
Like shallow mud bottom
Comments about body of water:
Water clear, much cooler, catching some crappies & bluegills.
This page was last updated on NOV 03 2011 03:02 P.M.
Greene-Sullivan State Forest lakes
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Greene-Sullivan State Forest is composed of 8,000 acres of reclaimed surface mined land that includes the planting of several different species of trees that are managed for wildlife and timber production. The forest has more than 100 fishing lakes which have produced some record catches. Facilities include an archery range, boat launch ramp, camping, horseman's camp, dumping station, fishing and hunting, picnicking, trails and hiking.
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: bee moths, small jigs, crickets
Depth: 1-12 ft.
Comments about fish:
Bluegill fishing is dependent upon the weather fronts. Lighter tackle will have the best results. Using light lines seems to work best.
Channel catfish
Description:
The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.
Bait: nightcrawlers, stink bait, livers
Depth: lake bottom 6-11ft.
Comments about fish:
Try Wampler, Graveyard, West, Reservoir 26, and Bass lakes.
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: rubber worms, crank baits, and spinner baits
Depth: 3-12 feet
Comments about fish:
Best times to catch bass are mornings and evenings.
Muskellunge
Description:
Members of the Pike family, the muskellunge, tiger muskellunge and northern pike have established themselves as remarkable adversaries through the years. The muskie, native to Indiana, is now usually found in stocked bodies of water. The northern pike, a voracious eater and popular among anglers, can be found in northern Indiana in natural lakes and streams. The muskie has three distinct color patterns, including green to silver "clear" sides, dark spots or dark vertical bars, six or more sensory pores on each side and scales covering only the top half of both cheeks. The muskie can weigh 10-20 pounds, but can reach weights over 30 pounds and lengths up to four feet long. Lures up to 12 inches are designed to resemble medium-sized fish and even small ducks.
Bait: minnow imitation crankbaits
Depth: deep to bottom
Comments about fish:
2008 preliminary survey report netted 64 muskie, ranging from 8 to 26 pounds. Please let us know if you catch any muskie! We'd love to hear about it! Report of 45 inch muskie was caught and released recently at bass lake, possible "Fish of the Year".
Rainbow or steelhead trout
Description:
Ever popular among Indiana anglers is the trout family, which includes the brown, lake and rainbow or steelhead trout. Many fisherman can be spotted on the shores during spawning season when the trout begin their runs into the tributaries. Rainbow or steelhead trout have a white mouth, teeth and gums and small black spots on their backs, sides, and caudal and dorsal fins. The caudal fin margin of the rainbow or steelhead trout is square and the fish has 9-12 anal fin rays.
Bait: Artificial lures, power bait
Depth: 15 - 40 ft
Comments about fish:
Airline Lake is closed from March 15th through March 31st. Fish deep for best results.
White crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The white crappie has six dorsal spines, black side markings forming vertical bars rather than random spots and anal fin rays.
Bait: minnows, small jigs
Depth: 3 - 12 ft
Comments about fish:
Crappie can be found around submerged structures. No lake information available. Lots of good reports on Crappie fishing in the past couple weeks.
Comments about body of water:
SOUTH BOAT RAMP AREA of BASS LAKE is now open. Parking bumpers and striping will be completed soon. We thank you for your patience during construction. Please continue to help us keep the lakes clean of litter! All lakes on the West Unit will be closed to fishing November 23, 2011 through January 26, 2012 for waterfowl season.
This page was last updated on NOV 03 2011 04:11 P.M.
Cecil M. Harden Lake (Raccoon Lake)
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Blue catfish
Description:
Like other catfish, the blue catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the blue taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The blue catfish has 30-35 anal fin rays, its anal fin margin is straight and the caudal fin is deeply forked.
Bait: Worms
Depth: Bottom
Comments about fish:
Catfishes rank second only to Buffalos as freshwater commercial fish. Catfishes take a wide variety of food, including clams, insect larvae, and crustaceans. They are also scavengers. Worms seem to be the most productive bait here at Cecil M. Harden Lake. The South end of the beach, off of the South point is one of the more productive areas in the lake for catfishes. If success is limited you may try an alterative bait such as a commerical blood bait, or some tainted chicken livers.
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: Various Crank Baits
Depth: Varies
Comments about fish:
Often called on of the finest fresh-water game fish of Indiana. The largemouth Bass often feeds upon crayfish and other smaller fishes.
Redear sunfish
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The redear sunfish has an opercle flap (ear) that is tipped with a red or orange margin.
Bait: Jigs or bee moths
Depth: Shallow Water
Comments about fish:
Also know as the "Shellcracker" grows to a length of about 7" in Cecil M. Harden Lake. This fish is a transplant from the Mississippi basin from Illinois south, and is most abundant in the south where it grows to near 10 inches.
Smallmouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The last rays on the dorsal fin of the smallmouth bass are separated from the rest of the fin. Also, the upper jaw does not extend beyond back of eye, as it does with the largemouth bass. The smallmouth bass commonly reaches 3-4 pounds.
Bait: Various Crank Baits
Depth: Varies
Comments about fish:
Smallmouth bass are not typically associted with Cecil M. Harden Lake to a great extent. Although we do have a Smallmouth bass population.
Striped bass
Description:
These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The striped bass has tooth patches on back of tongue in two parallel patches, first stripe below lateral line complete to tail, stripes above lateral line are unbroken.
Bait: Various Crank Baits
Depth: Below 15'
Comments about fish:
Striped bass were introduced to Cecil M. Harden Lake in 1995 as a means to control a exploding Gizzard Shad population. Striped bass seem to be one of the more popular sporting fishes as they will fight aggressively to get off of an angler's line. As the summer temperatures sky rocket the Striped bass will typically seek out the deeper, cooler waters. Fishing Hint: try fishing straight out off of points into deep channels. Raccoon has the Indiana State record for Striped Bass @ 39.08 lbs (caught in 2010).
Walleye
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The walleye has no spots on its dorsal fin and a dusky spot at the rear of its spiny dorsal fin, lower tip of tail and anal fin are white.
Bait: Various Crank Baits
Depth: Varies
Comments about fish:
Walleye is not commonly fished for at Cecil M. Harden Lake. Although Walleye are no longer stocked at the lake, biologist netted walleye that have naturally reproduced.
White bass
Description:
These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The white bass has a single tooth patch on back of tongue, first stripe below lateral line not complete to tail.
Bait: Jigs or minnows
Depth: Varies
Comments about fish:
White bass are often over looked at Cecil M. Harden as a sporting opportunity. In the spring and fall of each year White bass can be found in the upper Big Raccoon Creek entering the lake at Portland Mills. White bass will also school with the crappie throughout the entire lake.
White crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The white crappie has six dorsal spines, black side markings forming vertical bars rather than random spots and anal fin rays.
Bait: Jigs or minnows
Depth: Varies
Comments about fish:
Two species, the Black crappie and White crappie inhabit about the same regions. An average sized for a White crappie at Cecil M. Harden is 8-14 inches in size.
Comments about body of water:
Lake level is 55.91 (6.31 feet under summer pool). All boat ramps are open excluding Portland Mills (closed for the season). The Corps started winter pool water draw down on 10-24-11. Water level will be reduced 22 feet to reach winter pool. The fish cleaning stations within Raccoon SRA are winterized/closed for the season. Good fishing.
This page was last updated on NOV 01 2011 09:16 A.M.
Monroe Reservoir
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Lake Monroe is a 10,750 acre flood control reservoir located in Brown and Monroe counties southeast of Bloomington. It is the largest lake in the state with recreational activities such as boating and fishing. Fishing consists primarily of largemouth bass and panfish, such as bluegill and yellow perch. Other angling opportunities include white crappie, hybrid striped bass and yellow perch, as well as channel and flathead catfish. Lake Monroe has also become one of the best walleye fisheries in Indiana.
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: small jigs/crickets
Depth: shallow - 10feet
Comments about fish:
Bluegill fishing always seems best around shallow structure. Also look along sumerged creek beds.
Hybrid striped bass
Description:
These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The hybrid striped bass has two tooth patches and the back of the tongue are joined. The first stripe below the lateral line complete to the tail and the stripes above the lateral line are usually broken.
Bait: live
Depth: surface to 20feet
Comments about fish:
Slow trolling live bait seems to produce the most fish. Look for schools of bait fish. Fish in the 8 - 10 foot range.
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: N/A
Depth: N/A
Comments about fish:
No Reports
Walleye
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The walleye has no spots on its dorsal fin and a dusky spot at the rear of its spiny dorsal fin, lower tip of tail and anal fin are white.
Bait: n/a
Depth: n/a
Comments about fish:
No Reports
White crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The white crappie has six dorsal spines, black side markings forming vertical bars rather than random spots and anal fin rays.
Bait: jigs and minnows
Depth: shallow to 8 feet
Comments about fish:
Crappie are located around almost any structure.
Comments about body of water:
There will be no reports untill first of April 2012. Have a safe ice season and use extreme caution on all flood control Reservoirs. Pool evevation is 537.6. BOTH NORTHFORK AND MIDDLEFORK WATERFOWL RESTING AREAS ARE CLOSED TO ALL BOAT TRAFFIC. Those wishing to report specifics about their fishing experience and help keep Fishing Reports current may do so by calling the Lake Monroe Office at (812) 837-9546.
This page was last updated on OCT 30 2011 04:05 P.M.
Glendale FWA lakes and ponds, Dogwood Lake
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Glendale FWA is dedicated to providing quality hunting and fishing opportunities while maintaining 8,060 acres of land and over 1,400 acres of lakes and impoundments. Located in Daviess County, Glendale FWA has fishing in Dogwood lake and other ponds. The area also has hunting, wildlife watching, camping, wetland trapping, and dog training areas and blackberries, persimmon, hickory nuts, morels and walnut gathering.
Black crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.
Bait: Minnows,Jigs w/beemoth
Depth: 6 to 14 ft. of water
Comments about fish:
Crappie fishing success and attempts have slowed down. Varying water temperatures has kept fishermen searching for them. Some are having success but it is spotty. Most of the successful anglers are fishing before daylight and just after sunset.
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: Jigs/Beemoth, Red Wigglers, crickets
Depth: 5 to 14 ft. of water
Comments about fish:
Bluegill (catching") is FAIR. Just how deep to fish depends on the time of day and air temperatures you are out there. Most fishermen say they are fishing in about 14 ft. of water and just a foot or two off the bottom. This still holds true for the time being.
Channel catfish
Description:
The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.
Bait: Worms, Liver, Live Bait
Depth: Deeper water - no exact depth
Comments about fish:
Catfish fishing has been slow. Those being taken are hitting on nightcrawlers and live bait. Best time to fish is from 5:00 PM until full dark. Next full moon occurs on Nov. 10th. Trot-Line & Limb-line season on Dogwood Lake is over until the first Thursday in April, 2012. 15 permits will be issued per week on a first/come, first/serve basis.
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: Crank baits, Jigs, Worm Harness
Depth: 8 ft. and deeper
Comments about fish:
Not a whole lot to report on largemouth bass. Most fishermen have been concentrating on panfish. A few crappie fishermen using minnows have complained about bass stealing their bait.
Redear sunfish
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The redear sunfish has an opercle flap (ear) that is tipped with a red or orange margin.
Bait: Jigs, pieces of nightcrawler or beemoth
Depth: 10 - 15 ft. deep
Comments about fish:
Redear fishing has slowed down. Anglers are catching redear at the same depths and using the same baits as for bluegill. The "Big Ones" seem to be going after a white jig with a beemoth. If you are lucky enough to find "butter worms" the redear seem to really prefer them with the white jig.
Yellow perch
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The yellow perch ranges from 6 to 12 inches long and up to one or two pounds.
Bait: Jig with beemoth
Depth: 8' to 14'
Comments about fish:
Catching perch while trying for redear.
Comments about body of water:
Dogwood Lake is still approximately 12 inches below summer pool and water temperature is running in the low to mid 50's. Some weeds are still there under the surface but seem to be attracting fish instead of hindering the fishermen. The water is clear. The weather forecast for the next 7 days is for chilly nights and cool daytime temperatures with a slight possiblity of rain on Wednesday and Thursday then clearing through next week-end. The HORSEPOWER LIMIT HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM DOGWOOD LAKE. There is a MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT OF 10 MPH IMPOSED on the lake REGARDLESS of motor size!
This page was last updated on OCT 31 2011 08:45 A.M.
Summit Lake
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Located in Summit Lake State Park, Summit Lake is approximately four miles north of New Castle. Bluegill, perch and largemouth bass provide the best angling opportunities at Summit Lake. Other opportunities also exist for perch, bluegill, crappie, redear and channel catfish.
Black crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.
Bait: small jigs and minnows
Depth: 3-15 feet
Comments about fish:
Crappie should be moving into the shallows.
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: maggots, wax worms, redworms or nightcrawlers, 1/64 oz jigs, artificial flies
Depth: 3-20 feet
Comments about fish:
Bluegill have been actively feeding. Some use ice fishing jigs year round tipped with live bait. Crickets are a favorite this time of year.
Channel catfish
Description:
The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.
Bait: nightcrawlers, liver, soft plastics
Depth: 6-20 feet
Comments about fish:
Channels have become active in the shallows in low light conditions. Along with live bait and stinky bait,they will hit slowly fished lures, especially jigs with curly tails.
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: rattlebaits, spinnerbaits, soft plastics
Depth: 2-20 feet
Comments about fish:
With the cooler weather bass fishing should pick up during the day.
Redear sunfish
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white
This page was last updated on NOV 07 2011 02:47 P.M.
Hardy Lake
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
A 741-acre lake, Hardy Lake is located in Scottsburg in Scott County. Facilities include an archery range, basketball and volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, boating ramps, camping, and cultural arts programs. The reservoir also has hunting and fishing, hiking, interpretive programs, picnicking, rowboat rentals, shelterhouses, a swimming beach and waterskiing.
Black crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.
Bait: Minnows - Bee Moths
Depth: 12 ft
Comments about fish:
Crappie are being caught near the dam area and standing timber ranging in size from 11 to 13 inches.
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: Crickets-Bee Moths
Depth: 6 to 10 ft
Comments about fish:
Fishing activity remains slow.
Channel catfish
Description:
The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.
Bait: night crawlers, cut bait
Depth: bottom
Comments about fish:
Fishing activity remains slow.
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: Artificial
Depth: varied, rubber worms
Comments about fish:
Fishing Activity remains slow.
Muskellunge
Description:
Members of the Pike family, the muskellunge, tiger muskellunge and northern pike have established themselves as remarkable adversaries through the years. The muskie, native to Indiana, is now usually found in stocked bodies of water. The northern pike, a voracious eater and popular among anglers, can be found in northern Indiana in natural lakes and streams. The muskie has three distinct color patterns, including green to silver "clear" sides, dark spots or dark vertical bars, six or more sensory pores on each side and scales covering only the top half of both cheeks. The muskie can weigh 10-20 pounds, but can reach weights over 30 pounds and lengths up to four feet long. Lures up to 12 inches are designed to resemble medium-sized fish and even small ducks.
Bait: Crank Bait
Depth: 10' to 15'
Comments about fish:
Poor but when one is caught it is usually a large fish, well over the minimum size limit of 36 inches.
Redear sunfish
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The redear sunfish has an opercle flap (ear) that is tipped with a red or orange margin.
Bait: Crickets-Bee Moths-Redworms
Depth: 6 to 10 ft
Comments about fish:
Fisherman have reported catching Redear.
Striped bass
Description:
These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The striped bass has tooth patches on back of tongue in two parallel patches, first stripe below lateral line complete to tail, stripes above lateral line are unbroken.
Bait: Large Minnow or Artificial Large Minnows
Depth: Trolling
Comments about fish:
Fishing activity remains slow.
Comments about body of water:
Water level is at summer pool.
This page was last updated on NOV 07 2011 01:04 P.M.
St. Joseph River
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
The St. Joe River and its tributaries drain approximately 2,600 square miles in southwestern Michigan and 1,685 square miles in northern Indiana. Located primarily in Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, the river is home to thirty-six species of fish, as of a 1989 DNR survey.Angling opportunities are available for a number of sport fish including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, rock bass, walleye and bluegill. The lower 13 miles of the river from the state line upstream to the Twin Branch Dam also provides steelhead and salmon fishing.
Brown trout
Description:
Ever popular among Indiana anglers is the trout family, which includes the brown, lake and rainbow or steelhead trout. Many fisherman can be spotted on the shores during spawning season when the trout begin their runs into the tributaries. The brown trout has a white mouth, teeth and gums and some orange or red spots on its sides. This trout also has some spots enriched with light blue and a caudal fin margin that is square with no spots on the upper or lower lobe.
Bait: NA
Depth: NA
Comments about fish:
As of November 3, 20 brown trout have been counted moving past the South Bend Fish Ladder. Very few brown trout make it past South Bend. Brown trout are a fall spawner and a brown trout caught in Indiana's stretch of the St. Joe River would be a rare catch.
Chinook salmon or king salmon
Description:
Members of the pacific salmon family, the chinook or king salmon and the coho salmon can be found in Lake Michigan and its tributaries in northern Indiana. Pacific salmons do not feed during spawning, but will strike a lure during their runs. Cohos will spawn in the fall in their third year of life and die, while chinooks will spawn in the fall, winter or spring in the fifth year of life, allowing them to grow larger. The chinook or king salmon teeth are set in dark gums, with black spots on the back and both lobes of the square caudal fin. The chinook or king salmon has 15-17 anal fin rays and averages 30 pounds though some can reach over 100 pounds.
Bait: NA
Depth: NA
Comments about fish:
As of November 3, a total of 827 chinooks have been counted moving past the South Bend Fish Ladder. The chinook spawn is over.
Coho salmon
Description:
Members of the pacific salmon family, the chinook or king salmon and the coho salmon can be found in Lake Michigan and its tributaries in northern Indiana. Pacific salmons do not feed during spawning, but will strike a lure during their runs. Cohos will spawn in the fall in their third year of life and die, while chinooks will spawn in the fall, winter or spring in the fifth year of life, allowing them to grow larger. The teeth of the coho salmon are set in light color gums. The coho salmon has black spots on the upper lobe of a slightly forked caudal fin with 12-15 anal fin rays.
Bait: NA
Depth: NA
Comments about fish:
A total of 1,446 coho have been counted moving past the South Bend Fish Ladder as of November 3. The coho spawn is also over.
Rainbow or steelhead trout
Description:
Ever popular among Indiana anglers is the trout family, which includes the brown, lake and rainbow or steelhead trout. Many fisherman can be spotted on the shores during spawning season when the trout begin their runs into the tributaries. Rainbow or steelhead trout have a white mouth, teeth and gums and small black spots on their backs, sides, and caudal and dorsal fins. The caudal fin margin of the rainbow or steelhead trout is square and the fish has 9-12 anal fin rays.
Bait: bright colored spinners, spawn
Depth: main river channels,
Comments about fish:
Steelhead trout still continue to move into Indiana waters of the St. Joe but the run is starting to slow. A total of 3,205 steelhead have been counted moving past the South Bend Fish Ladder as of November 3. Best fishing for steelhead has been below the Twin Branch and Mishawaka Dams in Mishawaka. The steelhead run should continue until river temperatures drop below 42 degrees.
Comments about body of water:
River water levels are a little high but have dropped down to good levels for both boat and shore fishermen. A total of 5,498 salmonids have been counted moving past the South Bend Fish Ladder. The ladder is passing an average of 15 fish per day, all most all fish are steelhead. River temperature is 49 degrees. Thank you for your interest in the St. Joe River Trout and Salmon Program and good luck fishing this Fall.
This page was last updated on NOV 07 2011 07:30 A.M.
Summit Lake
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Located in Summit Lake State Park, Summit Lake is approximately four miles north of New Castle. Bluegill, perch and largemouth bass provide the best angling opportunities at Summit Lake. Other opportunities also exist for perch, bluegill, crappie, redear and channel catfish.
Black crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.
Bait: small jigs and minnows
Depth: 3-15 feet
Comments about fish:
Crappie should be moving into the shallows.
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: maggots, wax worms, redworms or nightcrawlers, 1/64 oz jigs, artificial flies
Depth: 3-20 feet
Comments about fish:
Bluegill have been actively feeding. Some use ice fishing jigs year round tipped with live bait. Crickets are a favorite this time of year.
Channel catfish
Description:
The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.
Bait: nightcrawlers, liver, soft plastics
Depth: 6-20 feet
Comments about fish:
Channels have become active in the shallows in low light conditions. Along with live bait and stinky bait,they will hit slowly fished lures, especially jigs with curly tails.
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: rattlebaits, spinnerbaits, soft plastics
Depth: 2-20 feet
Comments about fish:
With the cooler weather bass fishing should pick up during the day.
Redear sunfish
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The redear sunfish has an opercle flap (ear) that is tipped with a red or orange margin.
Bait: maggots, wax worms or worms
Depth: 4-20
Comments about fish:
The population is low.
Walleye
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The walleye has no spots on its dorsal fin and a dusky spot at the rear of its spiny dorsal fin, lower tip of tail and anal fin are white.
Bait: minnows, jigs, rattling crankbaits
Depth: 3-25 feet
Comments about fish:
With surface temps down in to the 60's, expect the walleye to move shallower. Walleye prefer low light conditions.
White bass
Description:
These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The white bass has a single tooth patch on back of tongue, first stripe below lateral line not complete to tail.
Bait: small jigs, sthingys and in-line spinners in light colors
Depth: 1-10 feet
Comments about fish:
Schools of white bass have been feeding on the surface in the evening. Casting past the school and retrieving back through usually results in a strike.
Yellow perch
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The yellow perch ranges from 6 to 12 inches long and up to one or two pounds.
Bait: small lures and jigs, minnows and other live bait
Depth: 10-35 feet
Comments about fish:
Nothing heard about the perch catch lately.
Comments about body of water:
Please practice catch and release; remember - you can only eat them once. Row boats and canoes can be rented at the park office. 2012 entrance and lake permits are on sale at the office which is open 8-4 M-F. These passes make great Christmas gifts. The office will be closed for holidays on Nov. 8, 11, 24, 25, and Dec. 23 and 26. The campground is open. Camp reservations: 866-622-6746 or www.CAMP.IN.gov. The water is now turned off in the campground and the fee is $11.22/night. The park will be closed for deer reduction hunts on Nov. 14, 15, 28 and 29. Take a kid fishing and make a memory.
This page was last updated on NOV 04 2011 08:20 A.M.
Summit Lake
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Located in Summit Lake State Park, Summit Lake is approximately four miles north of New Castle. Bluegill, perch and largemouth bass provide the best angling opportunities at Summit Lake. Other opportunities also exist for perch, bluegill, crappie, redear and channel catfish.
Black crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.
Bait: small jigs and minnows
Depth: 3-15 feet
Comments about fish:
Crappie should be moving into the shallows.
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: maggots, wax worms, redworms or nightcrawlers, 1/64 oz jigs, artificial flies
Depth: 3-20 feet
Comments about fish:
Bluegill have been actively feeding. Some use ice fishing jigs year round tipped with live bait. Crickets are a favorite this time of year.
Channel catfish
Description:
The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.
Bait: nightcrawlers, liver, soft plastics
Depth: 6-20 feet
Comments about fish:
Channels have become active in the shallows in low light conditions. Along with live bait and stinky bait,they will hit slowly fished lures, especially jigs with curly tails.
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: rattlebaits, spinnerbaits, soft plastics
Depth: 2-20 feet
Comments about fish:
With the cooler weather bass fishing should pick up during the day.
Redear sunfish
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The redear sunfish has an opercle flap (ear) that is tipped with a red or orange margin.
Bait: maggots, wax worms or worms
Depth: 4-20
Comments about fish:
The population is low.
Walleye
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The walleye has no spots on its dorsal fin and a dusky spot at the rear of its spiny dorsal fin, lower tip of tail and anal fin are white.
Bait: minnows, jigs, rattling crankbaits
Depth: 3-25 feet
Comments about fish:
With surface temps down in to the 60's, expect the walleye to move shallower. Walleye prefer low light conditions.
White bass
Description:
These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The white bass has a single tooth patch on back of tongue, first stripe below lateral line not complete to tail.
Bait: small jigs, sthingys and in-line spinners in light colors
Depth: 1-10 feet
Comments about fish:
Schools of white bass have been feeding on the surface in the evening. Casting past the school and retrieving back through usually results in a strike.
Yellow perch
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The yellow perch ranges from 6 to 12 inches long and up to one or two pounds.
Bait: small lures and jigs, minnows and other live bait
Depth: 10-35 feet
Comments about fish:
Nothing heard about the perch catch lately.
Comments about body of water:
Please practice catch and release; remember - you can only eat them once. Paddleboats and canoes can be rented at the park office. 2011 entrance and lake permits are on sale at the gatehouse and office. The campground is open. Camp reservations: 866-622-6746 or www.CAMP.IN.gov. The office is open 8-4 Monday - Friday. The park will be closed for a deer reduction hunt on Nov. 14, 15, 28 and 29. Take a kid fishing and make a memory.
This page was last updated on NOV 04 2011 03:16 P.M.
Mississinewa Lake
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Located in Miami, Wabash and Grant counties, Mississinewa Lake is a 3,210-acre ake with fishing, boating, ramps, waterskiing, fishing piers and cleaning stations, and a swimming beach. The facilities also has a basketball and volleyball court, camping with reservations, a cultural arts program, dumping station, frisbee golf course, hiking, hunting, interpretive programs, picnicking, shelterhouses, playgrounds and a radio-control flying field.
Black crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.
Bait: minnow and jigs
Depth: varies
Comments about fish:
Fishing fair at this time. small population.
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: worms and bee moths
Depth: varies
Comments about fish:
Fish around exposed wood and next to rocky ledges. Fishing fair.
Channel catfish
Description:
The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.
Bait: night crawlers/cut bait/prepared bait
Depth: varies
Comments about fish:
Fishing fair. Good population in lake.
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: spinner baits/suspended crank baits
Depth: Varies
Comments about fish:
Fishing fair. Reports of large populations of bass in lake.
Smallmouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The last rays on the dorsal fin of the smallmouth bass are separated from the rest of the fin. Also, the upper jaw does not extend beyond back of eye, as it does with the largemouth bass. The smallmouth bass commonly reaches 3-4 pounds.
Bait: spinner and crank baits, jigs
Depth: varies
Comments about fish:
Fishing fair.
Walleye
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The walleye has no spots on its dorsal fin and a dusky spot at the rear of its spiny dorsal fin, lower tip of tail and anal fin are white.
Bait: minnows, shad imitations
Depth: varies
Comments about fish:
best late evening and night in lake. Released small walleye into lake in June.
White bass
Description:
These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The white bass has a single tooth patch on back of tongue, first stripe below lateral line not complete to tail.
Bait: jigs and small spinners / minnows
Depth: varies
Comments about fish:
In lake points and breaks. River best after water clears. Most stripers are caught by trolling edges. Fishing fair at this time.
White crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The white crappie has six dorsal spines, black side markings forming vertical bars rather than random spots and anal fin rays.
Bait: minnows and small jigs
Depth: varies
Comments about fish:
fishing fair.
Comments about body of water:
Lake level at about 6ft below summer pool as of this date. Lake will continue to lower each day. Winter drawdown began Oct 20. Miami, Red Bridge, P. Mill and Frances Slocum ramps ok to launch boats as of this date but may be slick near water edge. Red Bridge and P.Mill restroom closed. Miami Ramp restroom open at this time. Courtesy docks removed from lake. Vault toilet only at Frances Slocum Ramp. Winter camping rates in effect. Water off in campgrounds. Use self registration box located by office door to pay for camping when office closed. "IMPORTANT NEW INFO":Lake Permit stickers for all watercraft (motorized $20.00 and non-motorized $5.00)now required on all boats while on lake/ponds. Call 765-473-6528 for additional information on lake conditions.
This page was last updated on NOV 04 2011 11:23 A.M.
Lake Michigan
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Coho salmon
Description:
Members of the pacific salmon family, the chinook or king salmon and the coho salmon can be found in Lake Michigan and its tributaries in northern Indiana. Pacific salmons do not feed during spawning, but will strike a lure during their runs. Cohos will spawn in the fall in their third year of life and die, while chinooks will spawn in the fall, winter or spring in the fifth year of life, allowing them to grow larger. The teeth of the coho salmon are set in light color gums. The coho salmon has black spots on the upper lobe of a slightly forked caudal fin with 12-15 anal fin rays.
Bait: Tribs: Brightly colored spinners, sthingys
Depth: Lake: Up to 35 FOW
Comments about fish:
It looks as if the salmon season is coming to a close on NW Indiana tribs as very few coho & chinook salmon were reported to the creel clerks this week. Don’t be surprised if you do catch a coho or two over the coming weeks as a few will continue to trickle into the creeks.Lake trout
Description:
Ever popular among Indiana anglers is the trout family, which includes the brown, lake and rainbow or steelhead trout. Many fisherman can be spotted on the shores during spawning season when the trout begin their runs into the tributaries. The lake trout has a white mouth, teeth and gums, a caudal fin that is deeply forked and a body color that is light to dark gray with light spots.
Bait: Sthingys, bodybaits
Depth: Within 10' of bottom
Comments about fish:
Water temps are ideal for lake trout fishing, unfortunately, water visibility in southern LM is poor, around 12". Once water clarity improves, anglers can expect good fishing well into the fall season. A perennial hotspot for lakers is along the submerged break water just outside the Port of Indiana. No specialized gear is needed in that area because it is a relatively shallow hump, around 14-20' of water. Flatlining sthingys & bodybaits are effective methods for catching fall lake trout. Another good place to try is the detached breakwater in MC. This week, personnel with the IDNR LM Fisheries Research completed fall spawning lake trout assessments just off the detached breakwater in MC. Despite poor water condition, 25 lake trout were netted with the largest around 12 lbs.
Rainbow or steelhead trout
Description:
Ever popular among Indiana anglers is the trout family, which includes the brown, lake and rainbow or steelhead trout. Many fisherman can be spotted on the shores during spawning season when the trout begin their runs into the tributaries. Rainbow or steelhead trout have a white mouth, teeth and gums and small black spots on their backs, sides, and caudal and dorsal fins. The caudal fin margin of the rainbow or steelhead trout is square and the fish has 9-12 anal fin rays.
Bait: Pier: Shrimp, sthingys Tribs: Shrimp, small spawn sacs, spinners
Depth: Lake : Up to 35 FOW
Comments about fish:
No shore action reported this week. Good numbers, including fresh winter runs, have been caught by anglers in the tribs. Anglers fishing Trail Cr report steady action, especially in the middle/upper reaches. Salt Cr anglers report steelhead action is primarily located in the lower/middle reaches. Anglers fishing the E Br of the Little Cal stated that action is occurring in the lower reaches. Spawn sacs & shrimp continue to be the top producing baits drifted just off the bottom through the deepest holes & runs. A few anglers had success with white microjigs fished under a float in similar areas. Spinners with orange or silver blades also produced fish, especially around snags adjacent to deeper water.
Yellow perch
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The yellow perch ranges from 6 to 12 inches long and up to one or two pounds.
Bait: Minnows
Depth: Greater than 35 FOW
Comments about fish:
No lake or shore action to report this week.
Comments about body of water:
Surface water temp in the harbor of MC was 51°F. Area tribs are exhibiting average flows with clear water conditions. Anglers can expect little change this weekend as no precip is forecasted for the region. Water temp of Trail Cr at Friendship Gardens was 47° F. Personnel with Bodine & Mixsawbah SFH continue to stock fall trout & salmon fingerlings into NW Indiana tribs. On October 25, Salt Cr received a stocking of just over 30,000 coho salmon averaging 6". The fish hatcheries have also stocked additional cohos & steelhead. I will update those numbers as they become available
This page was last updated on NOV 03 2011 11:20 A.M.
Brookville Reservoir
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Brookville Reservoir is a 5,260 acre flood control impoundment on the East Fork of the Whitewater River in eastern Indiana. Fishing opportunities are available for walleye and muskie.
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: bee larvae, crickets
Depth: 5- 20 feet
Comments about fish:
in coves around stick-ups,
Channel catfish
Description:
The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.
Bait: nightcrawlers, chicken liver
Depth: 4-20 feet
Comments about fish:
best at night, catching them almost everywhere
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: crankbaits
Depth: 5- 20 feet
Comments about fish:
along shoreline, and on deep points
Smallmouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The last rays on the dorsal fin of the smallmouth bass are separated from the rest of the fin. Also, the upper jaw does not extend beyond back of eye, as it does with the largemouth bass. The smallmouth bass commonly reaches 3-4 pounds.
Bait: nightcrawlers, soft craws
Depth: 10- 20
Comments about fish:
on rocky points and drop offs at coves
Striped bass
Description:
These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The striped bass has tooth patches on back of tongue in two parallel patches, first stripe below lateral line complete to tail, stripes above lateral line are unbroken.
Bait: bluegill or shad still fishing or trolling large doll flys
Depth: 20 feet still fishing or 10 - 20 feet trolling
Comments about fish:
trolling shad-like crankbaits some reports of large striped bass being taken
Walleye
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The walleye has no spots on its dorsal fin and a dusky spot at the rear of its spiny dorsal fin, lower tip of tail and anal fin are white.
Bait: night crawlers drifting on the bottom
Depth: 6 - 45 feet
Comments about fish:
catching them off of points with steep drop offs
White bass
Description:
These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The white bass has a single tooth patch on back of tongue, first stripe below lateral line not complete to tail.
Bait: white twister tails
Depth: 5 to 20 feet
Comments about fish:
Good year class
White crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The white crappie has six dorsal spines, black side markings forming vertical bars rather than random spots and anal fin rays.
Bait: minnows or jigs
Depth: 5 to 20 feet
Comments about fish:
white crappie are around stick-ups in coves and along shore
Comments about body of water:
The lake level today is 745.3 and falling. Water clear. Water cooling, catching some crappies and walleye. Fisheries survey said that the most numerous fish in the lake is the channel catfish , second most is bluegill.
This page was last updated on NOV 03 2011 11:20 A.M.
Whitewater Memorial State Park lakes
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Located in Union County, Whitewater Memorial State Park has two lakes including Whitewater Lake and nearby Brookville Lake. Facilities include a boat launch ramp, motor boats (electric trolling only) camping with reservations, horseman's camp, cultural arts programs, a dumping station, fishing, hiking, seasonal interpretive services, picnicking, canoe, paddleboat and rowboat rentals, reservable shelters, youth tent areas and a swimming beach.
Black crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.
Bait: minnows, jigs
Depth: 5 - 12 feet
Comments about fish:
around stumps and down trees
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: red worms, bee larvae, crickets
Depth: 2 - 20 feet
Comments about fish:
use crickets or bee larvae
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: spinner baits, crankbaits
Depth: 2 - 15 feet
Comments about fish:
practice catch and release to help the fishery
Redear sunfish
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The redear sunfish has an opercle flap (ear) that is tipped with a red or orange margin.
Bait: red worms
Depth: 2 - 12 feet
Comments about fish:
Like shallow mud bottom
Comments about body of water:
Water clear, much cooler, catching some crappies & bluegills.
This page was last updated on NOV 03 2011 03:02 P.M.
Greene-Sullivan State Forest lakes
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Greene-Sullivan State Forest is composed of 8,000 acres of reclaimed surface mined land that includes the planting of several different species of trees that are managed for wildlife and timber production. The forest has more than 100 fishing lakes which have produced some record catches. Facilities include an archery range, boat launch ramp, camping, horseman's camp, dumping station, fishing and hunting, picnicking, trails and hiking.
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: bee moths, small jigs, crickets
Depth: 1-12 ft.
Comments about fish:
Bluegill fishing is dependent upon the weather fronts. Lighter tackle will have the best results. Using light lines seems to work best.
Channel catfish
Description:
The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.
Bait: nightcrawlers, stink bait, livers
Depth: lake bottom 6-11ft.
Comments about fish:
Try Wampler, Graveyard, West, Reservoir 26, and Bass lakes.
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: rubber worms, crank baits, and spinner baits
Depth: 3-12 feet
Comments about fish:
Best times to catch bass are mornings and evenings.
Muskellunge
Description:
Members of the Pike family, the muskellunge, tiger muskellunge and northern pike have established themselves as remarkable adversaries through the years. The muskie, native to Indiana, is now usually found in stocked bodies of water. The northern pike, a voracious eater and popular among anglers, can be found in northern Indiana in natural lakes and streams. The muskie has three distinct color patterns, including green to silver "clear" sides, dark spots or dark vertical bars, six or more sensory pores on each side and scales covering only the top half of both cheeks. The muskie can weigh 10-20 pounds, but can reach weights over 30 pounds and lengths up to four feet long. Lures up to 12 inches are designed to resemble medium-sized fish and even small ducks.
Bait: minnow imitation crankbaits
Depth: deep to bottom
Comments about fish:
2008 preliminary survey report netted 64 muskie, ranging from 8 to 26 pounds. Please let us know if you catch any muskie! We'd love to hear about it! Report of 45 inch muskie was caught and released recently at bass lake, possible "Fish of the Year".
Rainbow or steelhead trout
Description:
Ever popular among Indiana anglers is the trout family, which includes the brown, lake and rainbow or steelhead trout. Many fisherman can be spotted on the shores during spawning season when the trout begin their runs into the tributaries. Rainbow or steelhead trout have a white mouth, teeth and gums and small black spots on their backs, sides, and caudal and dorsal fins. The caudal fin margin of the rainbow or steelhead trout is square and the fish has 9-12 anal fin rays.
Bait: Artificial lures, power bait
Depth: 15 - 40 ft
Comments about fish:
Airline Lake is closed from March 15th through March 31st. Fish deep for best results.
White crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The white crappie has six dorsal spines, black side markings forming vertical bars rather than random spots and anal fin rays.
Bait: minnows, small jigs
Depth: 3 - 12 ft
Comments about fish:
Crappie can be found around submerged structures. No lake information available. Lots of good reports on Crappie fishing in the past couple weeks.
Comments about body of water:
SOUTH BOAT RAMP AREA of BASS LAKE is now open. Parking bumpers and striping will be completed soon. We thank you for your patience during construction. Please continue to help us keep the lakes clean of litter! All lakes on the West Unit will be closed to fishing November 23, 2011 through January 26, 2012 for waterfowl season.
This page was last updated on NOV 03 2011 04:11 P.M.
Cecil M. Harden Lake (Raccoon Lake)
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Blue catfish
Description:
Like other catfish, the blue catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the blue taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The blue catfish has 30-35 anal fin rays, its anal fin margin is straight and the caudal fin is deeply forked.
Bait: Worms
Depth: Bottom
Comments about fish:
Catfishes rank second only to Buffalos as freshwater commercial fish. Catfishes take a wide variety of food, including clams, insect larvae, and crustaceans. They are also scavengers. Worms seem to be the most productive bait here at Cecil M. Harden Lake. The South end of the beach, off of the South point is one of the more productive areas in the lake for catfishes. If success is limited you may try an alterative bait such as a commerical blood bait, or some tainted chicken livers.
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: Various Crank Baits
Depth: Varies
Comments about fish:
Often called on of the finest fresh-water game fish of Indiana. The largemouth Bass often feeds upon crayfish and other smaller fishes.
Redear sunfish
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The redear sunfish has an opercle flap (ear) that is tipped with a red or orange margin.
Bait: Jigs or bee moths
Depth: Shallow Water
Comments about fish:
Also know as the "Shellcracker" grows to a length of about 7" in Cecil M. Harden Lake. This fish is a transplant from the Mississippi basin from Illinois south, and is most abundant in the south where it grows to near 10 inches.
Smallmouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The last rays on the dorsal fin of the smallmouth bass are separated from the rest of the fin. Also, the upper jaw does not extend beyond back of eye, as it does with the largemouth bass. The smallmouth bass commonly reaches 3-4 pounds.
Bait: Various Crank Baits
Depth: Varies
Comments about fish:
Smallmouth bass are not typically associted with Cecil M. Harden Lake to a great extent. Although we do have a Smallmouth bass population.
Striped bass
Description:
These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The striped bass has tooth patches on back of tongue in two parallel patches, first stripe below lateral line complete to tail, stripes above lateral line are unbroken.
Bait: Various Crank Baits
Depth: Below 15'
Comments about fish:
Striped bass were introduced to Cecil M. Harden Lake in 1995 as a means to control a exploding Gizzard Shad population. Striped bass seem to be one of the more popular sporting fishes as they will fight aggressively to get off of an angler's line. As the summer temperatures sky rocket the Striped bass will typically seek out the deeper, cooler waters. Fishing Hint: try fishing straight out off of points into deep channels. Raccoon has the Indiana State record for Striped Bass @ 39.08 lbs (caught in 2010).
Walleye
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The walleye has no spots on its dorsal fin and a dusky spot at the rear of its spiny dorsal fin, lower tip of tail and anal fin are white.
Bait: Various Crank Baits
Depth: Varies
Comments about fish:
Walleye is not commonly fished for at Cecil M. Harden Lake. Although Walleye are no longer stocked at the lake, biologist netted walleye that have naturally reproduced.
White bass
Description:
These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The white bass has a single tooth patch on back of tongue, first stripe below lateral line not complete to tail.
Bait: Jigs or minnows
Depth: Varies
Comments about fish:
White bass are often over looked at Cecil M. Harden as a sporting opportunity. In the spring and fall of each year White bass can be found in the upper Big Raccoon Creek entering the lake at Portland Mills. White bass will also school with the crappie throughout the entire lake.
White crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The white crappie has six dorsal spines, black side markings forming vertical bars rather than random spots and anal fin rays.
Bait: Jigs or minnows
Depth: Varies
Comments about fish:
Two species, the Black crappie and White crappie inhabit about the same regions. An average sized for a White crappie at Cecil M. Harden is 8-14 inches in size.
Comments about body of water:
Lake level is 55.91 (6.31 feet under summer pool). All boat ramps are open excluding Portland Mills (closed for the season). The Corps started winter pool water draw down on 10-24-11. Water level will be reduced 22 feet to reach winter pool. The fish cleaning stations within Raccoon SRA are winterized/closed for the season. Good fishing.
This page was last updated on NOV 01 2011 09:16 A.M.
Monroe Reservoir
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Lake Monroe is a 10,750 acre flood control reservoir located in Brown and Monroe counties southeast of Bloomington. It is the largest lake in the state with recreational activities such as boating and fishing. Fishing consists primarily of largemouth bass and panfish, such as bluegill and yellow perch. Other angling opportunities include white crappie, hybrid striped bass and yellow perch, as well as channel and flathead catfish. Lake Monroe has also become one of the best walleye fisheries in Indiana.
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: small jigs/crickets
Depth: shallow - 10feet
Comments about fish:
Bluegill fishing always seems best around shallow structure. Also look along sumerged creek beds.
Hybrid striped bass
Description:
These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The hybrid striped bass has two tooth patches and the back of the tongue are joined. The first stripe below the lateral line complete to the tail and the stripes above the lateral line are usually broken.
Bait: live
Depth: surface to 20feet
Comments about fish:
Slow trolling live bait seems to produce the most fish. Look for schools of bait fish. Fish in the 8 - 10 foot range.
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: N/A
Depth: N/A
Comments about fish:
No Reports
Walleye
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The walleye has no spots on its dorsal fin and a dusky spot at the rear of its spiny dorsal fin, lower tip of tail and anal fin are white.
Bait: n/a
Depth: n/a
Comments about fish:
No Reports
White crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The white crappie has six dorsal spines, black side markings forming vertical bars rather than random spots and anal fin rays.
Bait: jigs and minnows
Depth: shallow to 8 feet
Comments about fish:
Crappie are located around almost any structure.
Comments about body of water:
There will be no reports untill first of April 2012. Have a safe ice season and use extreme caution on all flood control Reservoirs. Pool evevation is 537.6. BOTH NORTHFORK AND MIDDLEFORK WATERFOWL RESTING AREAS ARE CLOSED TO ALL BOAT TRAFFIC. Those wishing to report specifics about their fishing experience and help keep Fishing Reports current may do so by calling the Lake Monroe Office at (812) 837-9546.
This page was last updated on OCT 30 2011 04:05 P.M.
Glendale FWA lakes and ponds, Dogwood Lake
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Glendale FWA is dedicated to providing quality hunting and fishing opportunities while maintaining 8,060 acres of land and over 1,400 acres of lakes and impoundments. Located in Daviess County, Glendale FWA has fishing in Dogwood lake and other ponds. The area also has hunting, wildlife watching, camping, wetland trapping, and dog training areas and blackberries, persimmon, hickory nuts, morels and walnut gathering.
Black crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.
Bait: Minnows,Jigs w/beemoth
Depth: 6 to 14 ft. of water
Comments about fish:
Crappie fishing success and attempts have slowed down. Varying water temperatures has kept fishermen searching for them. Some are having success but it is spotty. Most of the successful anglers are fishing before daylight and just after sunset.
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: Jigs/Beemoth, Red Wigglers, crickets
Depth: 5 to 14 ft. of water
Comments about fish:
Bluegill (catching") is FAIR. Just how deep to fish depends on the time of day and air temperatures you are out there. Most fishermen say they are fishing in about 14 ft. of water and just a foot or two off the bottom. This still holds true for the time being.
Channel catfish
Description:
The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.
Bait: Worms, Liver, Live Bait
Depth: Deeper water - no exact depth
Comments about fish:
Catfish fishing has been slow. Those being taken are hitting on nightcrawlers and live bait. Best time to fish is from 5:00 PM until full dark. Next full moon occurs on Nov. 10th. Trot-Line & Limb-line season on Dogwood Lake is over until the first Thursday in April, 2012. 15 permits will be issued per week on a first/come, first/serve basis.
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: Crank baits, Jigs, Worm Harness
Depth: 8 ft. and deeper
Comments about fish:
Not a whole lot to report on largemouth bass. Most fishermen have been concentrating on panfish. A few crappie fishermen using minnows have complained about bass stealing their bait.
Redear sunfish
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The redear sunfish has an opercle flap (ear) that is tipped with a red or orange margin.
Bait: Jigs, pieces of nightcrawler or beemoth
Depth: 10 - 15 ft. deep
Comments about fish:
Redear fishing has slowed down. Anglers are catching redear at the same depths and using the same baits as for bluegill. The "Big Ones" seem to be going after a white jig with a beemoth. If you are lucky enough to find "butter worms" the redear seem to really prefer them with the white jig.
Yellow perch
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The yellow perch ranges from 6 to 12 inches long and up to one or two pounds.
Bait: Jig with beemoth
Depth: 8' to 14'
Comments about fish:
Catching perch while trying for redear.
Comments about body of water:
Dogwood Lake is still approximately 12 inches below summer pool and water temperature is running in the low to mid 50's. Some weeds are still there under the surface but seem to be attracting fish instead of hindering the fishermen. The water is clear. The weather forecast for the next 7 days is for chilly nights and cool daytime temperatures with a slight possiblity of rain on Wednesday and Thursday then clearing through next week-end. The HORSEPOWER LIMIT HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM DOGWOOD LAKE. There is a MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT OF 10 MPH IMPOSED on the lake REGARDLESS of motor size!
This page was last updated on OCT 31 2011 08:45 A.M.
Summit Lake
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Located in Summit Lake State Park, Summit Lake is approximately four miles north of New Castle. Bluegill, perch and largemouth bass provide the best angling opportunities at Summit Lake. Other opportunities also exist for perch, bluegill, crappie, redear and channel catfish.
Black crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.
Bait: small jigs and minnows
Depth: 3-15 feet
Comments about fish:
Crappie should be moving into the shallows.
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: maggots, wax worms, redworms or nightcrawlers, 1/64 oz jigs, artificial flies
Depth: 3-20 feet
Comments about fish:
Bluegill have been actively feeding. Some use ice fishing jigs year round tipped with live bait. Crickets are a favorite this time of year.
Channel catfish
Description:
The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.
Bait: nightcrawlers, liver, soft plastics
Depth: 6-20 feet
Comments about fish:
Channels have become active in the shallows in low light conditions. Along with live bait and stinky bait,they will hit slowly fished lures, especially jigs with curly tails.
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: rattlebaits, spinnerbaits, soft plastics
Depth: 2-20 feet
Comments about fish:
With the cooler weather bass fishing should pick up during the day.
Redear sunfish
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white