Hovey Lake has the State's Fastest growing Crappie population according to Dan Carnahan (Indiana State Fishery Biologist for district 7 or 8)

Hovey's is closed to fishing until the duck and goose hunting season is over which is sometime around the end of Feb. March and April are the prime times to fish for crappie at Hoveys from what I read. The bank along by the launch ramp and the ranger station is said to hold some spawning crappie. Also the Drain area is hot in early spring. The drain was closed a few years back by a concrete **** of some kind and everyone really complained about that. The river has to get up high before water can enter or leave the drain area and go over the top of this new structure.

I have heard that at times you can drive or hike to the drain area on foot. I have never fished the drain but it's history is told by all the old crappie fishing oldtimers. Every years in the past Steve Ford or one of the other Evansville Courier Sports Writers wrote about someone fishing the drain and catching huge crappies in the spring time.

Last I heard the shut down the camping at Hoveys. You might call the Hovey Station and ask before you plan on camping at Hoveys.

I think that someone mentioned the camp ground at Harmony Park which is a very nice camp ground with electric and water at each site. I camped there in the past and recommned it as a good camp ground.

There is a small camp ground just West of Evansville, IN on HWY 62 which leads to Mt Vernon. I think it's called Rocky Camp ground or something like that.

There is a motel on the West Side of Evansville that is really nice also. From Evansville it's about 20 to 30 minute to the Hovey Lake Launch Site.

You do know that Hovey Lake has a 10 hp motor size limit. That is why I don't fish hovey lake. My boat has a larger motor than 10hp. Sometimes I wish I only had a 10hp motor on my boat because I really really want to fish Hoveys.

I have also heard that straight across from the launch ramp at the edge of the cypress trees is a good spot but I have never fished there and confirmed that story. I learned of this area from a guy that works at the Walmart in Boonville IN who told me that he use to fish Hoveys and did good there.

I would think that the fishing at Hovey would depend a lot on the Ohio River Levels. If the River is at flood stage the water inside Hoveys is going to be muddy probably and hard to fish.

I would also check with the Mt Vernon Chamber of commerce or their tourisms people to see if they know of any nice motels in Mt Vernon or any campgrounds that I am not aware of. I think that the camp ground at Harmony Park is your best best in the spring time.

Regards,

Moose1am