SW Indiana Fishing

[tstevens51]

Hello, I'm going to be working this summer for the Indiana DNR and I would like to do some fishing while there. I'm going to be based in Winslow on the Sugar Ridge wildlife area. Can anyone give me a run down of what is around. I won't be able to bring a boat so I'll be doing all shore fishing. I would like to hook into some nice largemouth, but I really enjoy white bass.

[JustinM]

There are others who are a lot better than me in the area up there. But Glendale is close with a huge amount of bass. Size won't really be there but you will catch a few. As for true white bass the only place I go for those is newton in Illinois. I'm sure there are others who will chime in with better info on the area. Now if you want the evansville area I can give you all kinds of advise. Good luck.

[tstevens51]

I anticipate heading down to Evansville a few times. If there is some good fishing somewhere I'm in.

[JustinM]

Well bluegrass is down here but you'll need a boat. Also the river for stripers that can be fished on the bank from the kentucky side at Newburgh dam. Imo most of the state parks have good numbers of fish but lower quality of fish down here. But the only state run place I fish a lot is bluegrass. Also I think there is a pit called bethel(sp) that is stocked with trout where you'll be.

[tstevens51]

The stripers really interest me. Can you fish the Kentucky side with an Indiana permit. I will definately have to try that since my Texas striper trip fell through.

[raporter]

Sugar Ridge has some real good fishing but most lakes require a boat. I would ask the biologist there Dan Carnahan. Bet he can point you in the right direction. Oakland City has a couple real nice lakes. Good luck.

[JustinM]

The stripers really interest me. Can you fish the Kentucky side with an Indiana permit. I will definately have to try that since my Texas striper trip fell through.

I want to say yes but I'm not sure since it's on land. Well you can walk out onto the dam on the Kentucky side. Hoosierdon might know the answer to that. He fishes the river a lot.

[bassmanic1]

Sugar Ridge covers a lot of land - use Google earth to check out some main ones . A small jon boat is almost a requirement to fish most pits but Oakland City New Lake is not to far and is very easy to bank fish as they keep the dam mowed . In the spring the ticks and gnats are terrible so bring bug spray . I have fished Bethel Pit for trout and it is stocked with them each Oct. but you need buy a trout/salmon stamp . Here is the DNR web page http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3083.htm which has maps and links . Here is another link for the new Interlake area opened by Lynnville and close to Area 6 http://www.in.gov/dnr/outdoor/4226.htm
.It has a ton of trails and a big nice pit close to 68 . Fished it last year in my jon boat , caught a few 12" crappie , small bass and small gill . Jury's still out on that one .

[tstevens51]

I'm thinking of getting a float tube. Would this be useful enough in Sugar Ridge.

[SteveM4A1]

The stripers really interest me. Can you fish the Kentucky side with an Indiana permit. I will definately have to try that since my Texas striper trip fell through.

You can fish either side with either a Kentucky or Indiana license, although I have heard of COs telling individuals the opposite (just hearsay). Just make sure you do not fish inside any mouths of creeks on the opposite state or you are violating the regulations.

[raporter]

I'm thinking of getting a float tube. Would this be useful enough in Sugar Ridge.

Excellent way to fish most of these lakes.

[HoosierDon]

If you walk onto the dam from the Ky side you are still in KY. You'll need a Ky non-residence license. They were $50 last year, don't know if they have gone up or not. Haven't gotten mine yet. You can fish up to the Ky. bank from a boat with an Indiana license. If you go in a creek on the Ky side you must have a Ky license. Hope this helps.....