- The State of Indiana's Volunteer Angler Surveys
Here is your chance to directly help in fisheries management. The information you provide is essential in understanding this valuable species and helps the Department of Natural Resources monitor harvest and catch data.
Division of Fish & Wildlife staff collect reports as time permits. During winter months, angler effort is lower, and fewer fishing reports are received, so the reports may be updated less frequently than during other seasons. Additionally, with changing weather conditions and delays between receiving past reports and the public reading them online, ice reports may be unreliable
| Waterbody | Fishing report | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Michigan (boat) | Boats are getting out fishing from all access points right now. There is still shelf ice in the lake, so waves and wind may combine to break that up - always be aware of changing conditions. Shelf ice that breaks free can clog up the entrances to ports and marinas very quickly. People are catching brown trout and cohos trolling body baits near shore, and perch in 55-60 feet. Remember that perch caught in deep water suffer barotrauma, it is recommended to keep all the fish you catch that deep. | 3/5/2026 |
| Lake Michigan (shore) | Fishing has been slow so far, a few whitefish, brown trout, steelhead, and coho are being caught. Most anglers are only getting a fish or two, but action could get hot at any time. Bigger coho were caught casting spoons and spinners, browns have been caught casting and with spawn on the bottom. | 3/5/2026 |
| Lake Michigan Tributaries (Trail Creek, Little Calumet River, Salt Creek) | Tribs are in decent shape, but forecasted rain can change stream levels in a hurry. Skamania are mostly done spawning, and some fresh winter-run steelhead are showing up, but not in large numbers yet. Spawn, and jigs/waxworms are catching a few fish. Please respect fellow anglers, private property, and please do not litter! For links to stream flow, see the links below the report tables. | 3/5/2026 |
| St. Joseph River (below Twin Branch Dam) | Technical difficulties prevented fish counts in February, but the fish passage counts will resume next week. A few steelhead are being caught below the dams on spawn. Look to catch walleyes and bass on jigs/minnows, swimbaits, or other slow moving presentations along current seams and in deeper holes. | 3/5/2026 |
| Northwest Indiana Lakes | Most lakes are ice free. On warmer afternoons, target shallow water on north sides of lakes, especially near brush/soft bottoms that will absorb sunlight and attract bass and panfish. | 3/5/2026 |
| Northern Indiana reservoirs | As ice departs and spring warm ups arrive, anglers are out chasing crappies, along with a few targeting other fish like catfish or white bass. Tube jigs/minnows are good bets for crappie, along with fresh cut bait for catfish. | 3/5/2026 |
| J.C. Murphey (Willow Slough) | After the recent renovation, anglers reported catching some 6-7 inch panfish this winter. Fish are growing fast and are thick bodied. Some may approach 8 inches this year. An abundance of smaller bass in the 8-12 inch range, along with some 12-16 inch channel catfish are also available. Some larger fish are available after being held in salvage ponds during the renovation, and released back into the lake after it filled up. | 3/5/2026 |
| Northeast Glacial Lakes | Some lakes still have ice, others are partially or fully ice free. | 3/6/2026 |