Brookville Lake Fishing Guide — Walleye, Bass, and More

March 18, 2026

Brookville Lake is arguably Indiana’s finest all-around fishing destination. At 5,260 acres with depths exceeding 100 feet, it offers the state’s best walleye fishing alongside excellent smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish. The lake sits in the rolling hills of Franklin and Union counties in southeastern Indiana, about 70 miles southeast of Indianapolis.

Lake Overview

The lake was built as a flood control reservoir on the East Fork of the Whitewater River. Its deep, clear water — unusual for an Indiana reservoir — creates habitat more typical of northern lakes, which is why walleye and smallmouth bass thrive here.

Walleye Fishing — Indiana’s Best

Brookville’s walleye fishery is the product of decades of DNR stocking plus natural reproduction. The lake consistently produces walleye up to 10 pounds, with 2-5 pound fish being a normal day on the water.

Spring Walleye (March–May)

The spring run is the best walleye fishing of the year. Fish move from deep winter holding areas toward the upper end of the lake and the tailwater below the dam.

Where to fish:

• Fairfield Causeway — the underwater bridge crossing concentrates walleye during their upstream migration
• Upper lake arms — where the East Fork and West Fork enter the lake
• Riprap along the dam — walleye cruise the dam face in early spring
• Main lake points — 15-25 feet of water, where deep water meets structure

How to fish:

• Trolling — pull crankbaits (Rapala Shad Rap, Reef Runner) at 1.5-2.0 mph along main lake contours in 12-20 feet
• Jigging — 1/4 oz jig head with minnow or soft plastic bounced along the bottom
• Live bait rigs — slip sinker with a nightcrawler harness, slow-trolled along bottom contours

Summer Walleye (June–August)

Walleye go deep in summer — 25-40 feet along the main river channel. Fishing is tougher but still productive.

Techniques: Deep trolling with bottom bouncers and worm harnesses. Night fishing with crankbaits over main lake flats.

Fall Walleye (October–November)

The fall turnover scatters walleye initially, but once the lake stabilizes in late October, fish push back to main lake points and the causeway area. This is the second-best walleye period of the year.

Techniques: Jigging with minnows on main lake points. Trolling crankbaits at moderate depths (15-25 feet).

Smallmouth Bass — The Clear-Water Bonus

Brookville’s clear water and rocky shoreline create ideal smallmouth habitat. This is one of the few Indiana lakes where you can consistently catch 3-4 pound smallmouth.

Best spots:

• Rocky banks along the west shore
• Riprap along the dam and causeway
• Main lake points with chunk rock substrate
• Submerged boulders in 8-15 feet

Best season: May through September. Smallmouth move shallow (5-10 feet) in spring and fall, deeper (15-25 feet) in summer.

Top techniques:

• Drop-shot rig with 3-4 inch finesse worm (natural colors — green pumpkin, watermelon)
• Ned rig (Z-Man TRD on a mushroom jig head) on rocky bottoms
• Tube jigs (3-inch tubes on 1/4 oz jig heads) bounced along rock
• Light line (6-8 lb fluorocarbon) — the clear water demands finesse

Largemouth Bass

While smallmouth get the attention, Brookville’s largemouth fishing is solid. Fish hold in the back of creek arms where the habitat transitions from rock to wood and weeds.

Best spots:

• Back ends of creek arms (Hanna Creek, Dunlapsville arm)
• Standing timber and brush in the upper lake
• Docks and boat slips in the marina areas

Top techniques: Jigs and creature baits in timber. Spinnerbaits through brushy cover. Shallow crankbaits in creek arms during spring.

Crappie

Brookville produces decent crappie fishing, especially in spring when fish push into shallow creek arms.

Best spots: Standing timber in the upper arms, brush piles along creek channels, and dock complexes.

Best season: Late April through May for spawning fish. Summer crappie suspend over the main river channel in 15-25 feet.

Technique: Minnows under slip bobbers over brush. Vertical jigging with small tubes over deep timber in summer.

Access Points and Boat Ramps

Brookville Lake has multiple well-maintained boat ramps operated by the Army Corps of Engineers:

Tip: The tailwater below the dam is one of the best bank fishing spots in southeastern Indiana. Walleye, sauger, and smallmouth bass concentrate below the dam, especially during spring water releases.

Hire a Guide

The Brookville Lake Guide Service operates exclusively on Brookville Lake. They specialize in walleye and bass trips and provide all tackle.

• Rating: 5.0/5 on Google (9 reviews)
• Services: Half-day and full-day trips, walleye and bass
• Website: brookvillelakeguideservice.com

For first-time visitors, a half-day guided trip is the fastest way to learn the lake’s structure and patterns.

Regulations

Brookville Lake follows standard Indiana fishing regulations:

Trout note: The Brookville Lake tailwater receives DNR trout stockings — you’ll need a trout/salmon stamp ($11) to fish for trout in the tailwater area.

Getting There

Brookville Lake is located on State Road 101, approximately:

• 70 miles southeast of Indianapolis (1.5 hours)
• 50 miles northwest of Cincinnati (1 hour)
• 30 miles west of the Indiana/Ohio border

The town of Brookville has basic amenities (gas, food). For bait and tackle, stop at a shop in the Brookville or Batesville area on your way in.

Plan Your Trip

1. Best time to visit: March through May for walleye + smallmouth, October-November for fall walleye
2. Book a guide for your first trip — the Brookville Lake Guide Service knows this lake inside and out
3. Get your license — you need an Indiana fishing license plus a trout stamp if you’ll fish the tailwater
4. Check water levels — Army Corps controls the water level, which affects fishing patterns. Call the Brookville Lake project office at (765) 647-6572
5. Stop at a bait shop in Franklin County for current conditions and bait recommendations