FreeFishFishing in Indiana: lake depth maps and where to start
Natural lakes in the north, big reservoirs in the south. How to use Indiana's lake depth maps, notable waters, and where to find the official rules.
Indiana's fishing splits roughly in two. The northern part of the state is dotted with natural glacial lakes, while the southern half has large reservoirs and river systems. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has published depth maps for many public lakes, which FreeFish shows on the map.
What you can fish for
Largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie are found throughout the state. Northern lakes also hold northern pike, walleye and yellow perch. Southern reservoirs add strong crappie and bass fishing, plus hybrid striped bass in some waters, while rivers hold catfish and smallmouth bass. Lake Michigan's shoreline in the northwest offers salmon and trout.
Waters to know
- Lake Wawasee: Indiana's largest natural lake, in the north, with bass, panfish and walleye.
- Monroe Lake: a large reservoir near Bloomington with bass, crappie and hybrid striped bass.
- Patoka Lake: a southern Indiana reservoir popular for crappie and bass.
- The Tippecanoe and Kankakee rivers: good river fishing for smallmouth, walleye and catfish.
Using Indiana depth maps
On the northern natural lakes, depth maps show classic structure: weed flats, points and drop-offs into deeper basins. In summer, many of these lakes stratify, and fish hold near the thermocline. On the southern reservoirs, look for old creek channels, points and the edges of flooded timber. Reservoir fish often follow baitfish up creek arms in the fall.
Reservoir levels can change through the year, which changes where the shoreline and shallow cover are. Use the map as a guide and watch the water.
Through the seasons
Spring is prime time for crappie in southern reservoirs and for bass moving shallow to spawn across the state. Summer fishing is best early and late in the day, with bass on weed edges and deeper structure. Fall brings shad into the creek arms of reservoirs, with bass and crappie following them. Northern natural lakes often freeze in winter, offering ice fishing for bluegill, perch and crappie when the ice is safe.
Before you go
Check the Indiana DNR regulations for size and bag limits, which can differ on specific lakes. Practice clean, drain and dry to stop aquatic invasive species. Our licensing guide explains how to buy a license and find local rules.
Official rules
Seasons, limits and license requirements change. The official source is the state agency: Indiana fishing regulations and licenses.