Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about fishing in Indiana, answered.
Do I need a fishing license in Indiana?
Yes. Indiana requires a fishing license for anyone age 18 and older. Residents pay $23/year, non-residents $60/year. Children under 18 and residents born before April 1, 1943 are exempt. You can buy a license online at IN.gov or at most bait shops and sporting goods stores.
When is the best time to fish in Indiana?
Spring (April–June) is peak season — bass spawn, crappie are shallow, and catfish are active. Summer offers excellent topwater bass and bluegill action. Fall brings great walleye and muskie fishing. Winter ice fishing is popular on northern Indiana lakes for bluegill, crappie, and perch.
What fish species are in Indiana?
Indiana has over 200 fish species. Popular sport fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, crappie, walleye, sauger, yellow perch, rainbow trout, and muskellunge. Lake Michigan adds salmon (chinook, coho), steelhead, and lake trout.
Where can I find lake depth maps?
The Indiana DNR publishes bathymetric depth maps for 250+ lakes across the state. We host all of them on this site — browse our Lakes section to find the depth map for any mapped Indiana lake, complete with PDF downloads.
Do I need to hire a fishing guide?
Guides are optional but valuable — especially if you are new to Indiana waters, targeting a specific species, or fishing Lake Michigan. All Indiana fishing guides must hold a DNR Fishing Guide License ($125/year). Lake Michigan charter captains must also have a U.S. Coast Guard captain's license.
How much does a fishing guide cost in Indiana?
Rates vary by guide type and trip length. Inland lake/river guides typically charge $200–$450 for a half-day (4 hours) or $375–$700 for a full day. Lake Michigan charters run $700–$1,200 for a full-day trip with 2–6 anglers.
What are the best fishing lakes in Indiana?
Top lakes depend on your target species. For bass: Patoka Lake, Monroe Lake, Brookville Reservoir. For walleye: Mississinewa, Salamonie, Tippecanoe Lake. For panfish: Lake Wawasee, Lake James, Geist Reservoir. For catfish: Ohio River, Wabash River, White River. Check our lake profiles for depth maps and species data.
Does Indiana stock fish?
Yes. The Indiana DNR stocks millions of fish annually through state hatcheries. Common stocked species include channel catfish, walleye, saugeye, rainbow trout, and largemouth bass. The DNR publishes a Fish Stocking Dashboard with real-time stocking data for every public water body.
Where is the data on this site from?
All data is sourced from official Indiana state agencies. Lake depth maps come from DNR bathymetric surveys. Guide listings come from the DNR Licensed Fishing Guides registry. Access site data comes from IndianaMap GIS. Bait shop data is verified through Google Business Profiles.
How do I list my guide service on this site?
If you hold a current Indiana DNR Fishing Guide License, your listing may already be on the site. Visit the List Your Business page to claim your profile and add your website, specialties, photos, and service areas — it's completely free.
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