IDNR Panfish Picks for summer

DNR summer panfish picks and tips
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Bluegill, crappie and redear sunfish are waiting


Hoosier anglers seeking simple summer fishing for out-of-school kids might want to heed this fishing advice from Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologists.

These rambling biological data mongers have been surveying a bunch of public lakes around the state, and here are their choice summer panfish picks.


Middle Fork Reservoir in Wayne County
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Central Indiana fisheries biologist Rhett Wisener recommends the 177-acre Middle Fork Reservoir near Richmond.

Wisener says a 2006 survey found a lot of crappie and bluegill in the lake. Some bluegill measured more than 8.5 inches long.

"Crappie fishermen at Middle Fork should do well this year and next year. Our survey found an abundance of crappie and bluegill. And the lake's crappie are growing larger than in the past. They should be 9 or 10 inches in length by now," says Wisener.

Middle Fork Reservoir is north of Richmond in Wayne County. The lake's park, managed by the county, has a boat ramp. Boat motor size should not exceed six horsepower. Rental fishing boats are available in season.

More Middle Fork Reservoir information:
http://www.waynet.org/recreation/fishing.htm


Lake John Hay in Washington County
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In southeastern Indiana, DNR biologist Clint Kowalik recommends Lake John Hay in Washington County.

Kowalik says a 2006 survey found an excellent bluegill fishery at the lake. "Bluegill density, growth and population balance was excellent," says Kowalik.

The survey found bluegill and redear sunfish that measured 10 inches long. Anglers reported catching redear as long as 12 inches.

Anglers reported that crappie were suspended at depths of 12 to 15 feet during the July survey. These brush-loving fish mostly measured 7 to 10 inches long, with some specimens stretching 15 inches.

Lake John Hay is a 210-acre impoundment located about 6 miles northwest of Salem in Washington County.

Lake access includes one boat ramp. Electric outboards on boats are allowed. A special daily or annual city boat permit is required before a boat can launch at John Hay. The permits are sold at Salem's Clerk-Treasurer's office and at the Salem Police Department office.

These offices also distribute copies of Salem's special regulations for the lake.

"Eurasian watermilfoil (an undesirable exotic plant species) is found throughout the lake, so make sure you clean your boat before entering another body of water," warns Kowalik.

More Lake John Hay boat permit information:
http://www.cityofsalemin.com/departments/police-faq.html



Shakamak State Park lakes, Sullivan, Greene and Clay counties
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DNR fisheries biologist Dave Kittaka recommends fishing for panfish at Shakamak State Park's three lakes.

Kittaka says Shakamak has three excellent panfish lakes. Lenape Lake covers 49 acres. Shakamak Lake has 56 acres of water. And Kickapoo Lake covers 290 acres.

"Shakamak State Park offers first-rate angling opportunities for bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass and crappie," says Kittaka.

"Ample bass populations keep bluegill and redear numbers in check, leading to larger, healthier panfish. We encourage anglers to harvest the abundant unprotected slot-limit bass to help maintain this fishery."

Since 1986, all three lakes have been managed with a 12-to 15-inch protected slot size limit for largemouth bass. The statewide bag limit for largemouth bass may be harvested above and below the protected slot limit.

The park also offers camping, cabin rentals and boat rentals. Electric boat motors are allowed. All three lakes have accessible shoreline fishing.

More Shakamak State park information:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/properties/park_shakamak.html


Twin Lakes area in Marshall County
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Fisheries biologist Chip Long in northern Indiana advises panfish anglers to try the Twin Lakes area south of Plymouth in Marshall County.

"The Twin Lakes area is actually six lakes, all accessible from three DNR Public Access Sites. Lawrence, Myers, Holem, Cook and Kreighbaum lakes, along with Mill Pond add up to 447 acres of some of the best bluegill and redear fishing in the state," says Long.

Marshall County lake information and maps:
http://marshallcountytourism.org/recreation.html


Summer panfishing tips
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"Bluegill and their panfish cousins have probably moved since you last fished for them in the spring," says DNR Fisheries Chief Bill James. "During the dog days of summer, try fishing the early cool hours of the day, or fish deeper than you would in the spring.

James says on summer days, he likes to drift in a boat fishing over open water with tight lines (no bobbers) baited with bee moths or worms set at different depths.

"When you catch a couple fish, anchor or drift back through the same area," says James. "During the summer, panfish schools often suspend at various depths in open cooler water."

James also likes to summer fish drop-offs along weedbeds during the last couple of hours of daylight "... as the bigger bluegill seem to move back to the shallows during that time of day."

Elementary fishing ideas for kids:
http://www.IN.gov/dnr/fishwild/fish/fishing/bobber.htm

Indiana fishing regulations:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/fish/fishng/fishgide.htm