Indiana Fishing Lakes
Lake-by-lake species, seasonal bite, boat access, and regulations for the biggest fishing lakes in Indiana.
Brookville Lake
Lake Freeman
Monroe Lake
Patoka Lake
Lake Wawasee
More Indiana lakes
Tap a lake to open its guide: species, boat launches, bait shops, and size and creel limits.
Brookville LakeFranklin & Union Counties
Brookville Lake
A deep, clear reservoir in southeast Indiana, known for walleye, smallmouth bass and crappie.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Crappie
Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Wiper
Hybrid striped bass. Chase surface-feeding schools and points with wind.
Boat launches
1 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- More public accessPublicSee the Indiana DNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Brookville Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Indiana Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Dunham's Sports16 mi10515-B Harrison Avenue, Harrison(513) 202-0502Directions ↗
Local tips
- It's one of Indiana's better walleye lakes.
- Deep and clear. Fish points and humps.
- Mounds and Quakertown state recreation areas have ramps.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.
Lake FreemanWhite & Carroll Counties · 1,500 acres
Lake Freeman
A Tippecanoe River lake near Monticello, known for walleye, white bass and catfish.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
White Bass
Schools chasing shad in open water, and spring river runs.
Channel Catfish
Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Boat launches
1 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- More public accessPublicSee the Indiana DNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Freeman are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Indiana Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Breezy Hill Bait & TackleNearby3846 E Bailey Rd, Monticello, IN 47960(574) 870-0652Directions ↗
- Twin Lakes Fish & GameNearby1880 N Francis St, Monticello(574) 583-6635Directions ↗
Local tips
- The tailwater below Oakdale Dam is a spring walleye spot.
- Lake Shafer sits just upstream.
- River current helps the bite.
Lake WawaseeKosciusko County · 3,410 acres
Lake Wawasee
Indiana's largest natural lake, near Syracuse. It's known for largemouth bass, bluegill and yellow perch.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Bluegill
Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
Northern Pike
Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
Boat launches
1 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- More public accessPublicSee the Indiana DNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Wawasee are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Indiana Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Track & Channel OutdoorsNearby203 E Pickwick Dr, Syracuse(574) 457-2490Directions ↗
- Dunhams16.5 mi496 West Plaza Drive(260) 248-2068Directions ↗
Local tips
- Heavy recreational traffic in summer.
- Connected to Syracuse Lake.
- Weed edges hold bass and bluegill.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.