- 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. Only those water bodies with a current report are included.
| Waterbody | Report | Date |
|---|---|---|
| JC Murphey (Willow Slough) | Fish were stocked into the lake in the fall of 2023 with more stocking occurring in 2024. Fish salvaged from the lake before draining have been stocked back into the lake, with some catchable size bluegill, crappie, and largemouth bass. There will be limited angling opportunities for harvestable sized fish in 2024 except for the larger spawning sized fish from the salvage units. Please release these larger fish as they are the spawners for future. More information can be found in the link below. | 7/3/2024 |
| Lake Michigan (boat) | Salmon action has slowed some, but good mixed bag of kings, steelhead, coho, and lake trout are being caught from 65 to 100 feet out of most every port. More kings have started showing up, especially for anglers fishing first and last light. The thermocline has moved a bit deeper but is still intact, which means anglers are not having to go 12+ miles offshore to find good water temps. Perch has been hit or miss but some anglers have reported good catches in 30-40 feet from Portage east to Michigan City, on shiners and fatheads. Some days the ticket has been drifting rather than anchoring over a school. The buoys are deployed for the season, so check water temps (on UGLOS or Seagull sites) before heading out. Remember, if salmon fishing you are looking for the depth at which water temps under 55 degrees, and ideally 48-54 degrees. Perch fishing is usually best in temps 60-70 degrees, and optimally 62-66, but they can be found in much warmer or colder water at times. | 7/26/2024 |
| Lake Michigan (shore) | Shore effort has been low. Some bass have been caught at East Chicago and Hammond. Lots of drum and catfish are biting as well. Carp anglers are catching some nice sized fish. Be advised that due to heavy construction at the Port of Indiana, the shore fishing site there will be closed through summer 2024. | 7/26/2024 |
| Lake Michigan Tributaries (Trail Creek, Little Calumet River, Salt Creek) | Tribs are in decent shape and the cold front has the water at a nice temperature. No big numbers of fish are in, but there are enough to catch a few if you put in the time. Spinners, flies, small pieces of shrimp, crawlers, and spawn bags have all caught fish recently. Please respect fellow anglers, private property, and please do not litter! For links to stream flow, see the links below the report tables | 7/26/2024 |
| LaPorte Area Lakes | Look for largemouth in the pads and inside weedlines with weedless plastics and frogs, or on the deep dropoffs. Bluegill are near cover or suspending over deep water. | 7/19/2024 |
| St. Joseph River (below Twin Branch Dam) | Recent rains really hammered the St. Joe and it is running very high. It may be a bit before it comes down. Look for slack water areas and fish loud flashy lures, or try targeting catfish in these high water conditions. Monitor the river temp and flow at the closest USGS gauge in Niles, MI using the links below the report table | 7/11/2024 |
| Summit Lake | Fish biologists recently completed a survey on the lake. Water temps were in the mid-70s, and larger panfish and bass were concentrated near weeds and wood in 6-15 feet of water. Good numbers of bluegill and redear up to 9 inches, largemouth bass up to 5.5 lbs were observed. Crappie, channel catfish, walleye, and white bass were also observed. Anglers have reported catching blue gill, bass, and walleye recently. Please contact the property for lake levels: (765)766-5873. Fishing licenses are available for purchase at the Property Office. Property Office hours are 8:30-4:00 p.m. daily. Summit Lake State Park is located in Henry County, Indiana. | 7/26/2024 |
