For more information about the lake please
click on the lake name above.
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.
Crappie can be found in back bays, channels,
and around isolated weeds.
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: Wigglers, Bee Moths, Spikes Depth: 6 - 10
Comments about fish:
Bluegill can be found in back bays and
channels.
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.
Fish the inside and outside of weed beds
near the drop off. The isolated weed beds tend to hold the larger
fish.
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.
Fish next to isolated weed beds near deep
water drop offs
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.
Lake George, Clear Lake, and Crooked Lake
have excellent walleye populations.
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: Jigs, Minnows, Worms Depth: 5 - 10 feet
Comments about fish:
Perch can be found on the inside weedlines
and large flats
Comments about body of water:
Ice fishing has been great! 10 - 16 inches of
ice on most lakes.
This page was last updated on FEB 14 2014 02:26 P.M.
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name
above.
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.
As water temps drop below 38°F, STT become sluggish & will
seek out areas of slow moving water. Most of the time, they will
not move very far to chase down your offerings so that’s why it
is so important to keep your baits just ticking the bottom in the
deeper holes/runs. Spawn sacs have been the most effective bait
this year. It’s important to match the size of the spawn sac to
current water conditions. If water is stained or even muddy, your
best bet is to use a larger sac, about the size of a quarter to
half dollar. With clear water conditions, you will have better
luck using nickel or even dime sized sacs. Another good way to
catch STT is to use 1/32nd or even 1/64th oz microjigs tipped with
a waxworm or two.
Comments about body of water:
As of today, 2/14/2014, the waters surrounding the MC Lighthouse Pier,
harbor & most of Trail Creek is still ice covered. The only
available open water was along Burns Ditch in Portage. Water temp was
32° F. Just a reminder to all anglers fishing Trail Cr: No fishing is
allowed within 100' upstream of the Trail Cr Sea Lamprey Barrier or
downstream to the Pottawatomie CC Golf Course property line located
adjacent to Springland Ave in MC.
This page was
last updated on FEB 14 2014 09:34 A.M.
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 tipped with wax
worms, or minnows Depth: 8-45 feet
Comments about fish:
Crappie can sometimes be caught more readily
with a lantern at night through the ice.
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 Depth: 6-20 feet
Comments about fish:
Bluegill are being caught through the ice.
One angler reported catching 100 nice BG last week but says it has
slowed this week.
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: jigging minnows and spoons Depth: 6-40 feet
Comments about fish:
Some big channels have been caught.
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: jigging minnows and spoons Depth: 5-20 feet
Comments about fish:
An underwater camera aids in catching bass
through the ice.
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 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: jigging minnows and spoons Depth: 8-40 feet
Comments about fish:
Some walleye have been caught in very deep
water.
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: ice jigs Depth: 24-40
Comments about fish:
Fishing for white bass at times has been
very good. They are in very deep 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: ice jigs Depth: 5-30 feet
Comments about fish:
No reports lately
Comments about body of water:
Ice measured 15 inches on 2-3-14 in the bay next
to CR 500 East. Exercise extreme caution when venturing out onto ice
especially when there is snow which insulates and hides bad ice. It's
wise to always ice fish with a buddy, let someone know where you'll
be, frequently check ice depths and conditions, carry a throw rope,
and carry ice picks, ice awls or somthing sharp like 16 penny nails to
help grab onto slippery ice in case of a fall-through. The office is
open 8a-4p, M-F phone: 765-766-5873. 2014 park passes and boat launch
permits can be purchases at the park office and make great gifts. Camp
reservations: www.camp.in.gov or 866-622-6746.
This page was last updated on FEB
12 2014 09:51 A.M.
Not much of a report. This talks more about the lake without any
current fishing information. Just my thoughts. sam
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 fish.
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: Jiggs 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: Jiggs 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: Jiggs or minnows Depth: Varies
Comments about fish:
Two species, the Black crappie and White
crappie inhabit about the same regions.
Comments about body of water:
Current lake level is 640.00(summer pool is
662.00 and winter pool is 640.00) The main Raccoon boat launching ramp
remains open, but with limited access due to the lake draw down. Only
small boats recommended at this time. All OUTLYING BOAT RAMPS ARE NOW
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON (11/18/2013). This will be the final update for
the 2013 season. We will see you again in 2014. Happy Holidays!!
This page
was last updated on FEB 11 2014 12:30 P.M.
For more information
about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Located on the banks of
the Ohio River, Falls of the Ohio features a spectacular interpretive
center over-looking fossil beds. The 386-million-year-old fossil beds
are among the largest exposed Devonian fossil beds in the world.
Facilities at the park include a boat launch ramp onto the Ohio River,
a cultural arts program, education programs, hiking trails,
picnicking, fishing, and an interpretive center.
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: cut bait
Depth: bottom
Comments about
fish:
Catfishing is
always popular at the Falls. Cut baits on bottom work well,
Evening hours are 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: cut bait
Depth: bottom
Comments about
fish:
Channels get large
here at the Falls. Fish late with cut baits, or 'stink' baits.
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: bait fish or
jigs
Depth: depth varies
Comments about
fish:
Often caught on
jigs or trolling with bait fish, Striped bass sizes continue to
grow and make for an exciting catch. Very aggressive and strong
they put up quite a fight!
Sauger
Description:
Indiana anglers
have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow
perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family.
Sauger have three or four saddle-shaped blotches on their back and
sides, as well as a spotted dorsal fin.
Bait: Jigs
Depth: Bottom
Comments about
fish:
Levels continue to
fluctuate. Occasional Sauger are being caught. Expect numbers to
increase soon.
Comments about body of
water:
Park closes at 11p.m.
Night fishing is permitted with the purchase of annual entrance permit
and a hang tag that must be displayed in the window at all times.
Permits are available at Interpretive Center There is a daily $2.00
daily parking fee. Interpretive Center is open Mon.-Sat. 9-5 &
Sun. 1-5. Check out Fallsoftheohio.org for up to the minute river
levels, as they can vary daily.
This page
was last updated on FEB 10 2014 11:51 A.M.
For more information
about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Atterbury FWA is
located near Edinburgh in Johnson and Bartholomew counties. Atterbury
Fish and Wildlife Area is dedicated to providing quality hunting and
fishing opportunities while maintaining 6,206 acres of upland game
habitat, marsh, running creeks and shallow impoundments. The area
provides opportunities for fishing at Sugar Creek, Stone Arch and
Pisgah Lakes and other small ponds. Other opportunities for hunting,
wildlife watching, wetland trapping, dog training, areas and
blackberries, raspberries, morels and walnut gathering are also
available.
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: live
Depth: deep
Comments about
fish:
No report
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: live
Depth: deep
Comments about
fish:
No report
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: deep
Comments about
fish:
No report
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: artificial
Depth: shallow
Comments about
fish:
Sugar Creeks water
level is normal, and the water clarity is good.
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:
live/artificial
Depth: deep
Comments about
fish:
No report
Comments about body of
water:
Coyote Marsh and Honker
Haven are closed to fishing at this time, they are part of the
Waterfowl Resting Area. Coyote Marsh and Honker Haven will remain
closed until the waterfowl resting area signs are removed by property
personel. Teal Marsh, Mallard Marsh, Mink Medow, Possum Puddle, Gopher
Hole, and Beaver Bottom are open to fishing. Pisgah Lake and Stone
Arch Lake are open to fishing all year long.
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