Indiana Fish Stocking Schedule 2026 — Where DNR Stocks Trout, Catfish, and More
March 18, 2026
The Indiana DNR stocks millions of fish every year through state hatcheries, creating fishing opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise exist. Knowing where and when fish are stocked gives you a significant advantage — stocked waters often produce the best fishing for days or weeks after a plant.
How Indiana Fish Stocking Works
Indiana operates two state fish hatcheries:
- Curtis Creek Trout Rearing Station — Steuben County (northeast Indiana), produces rainbow, brown, and brook trout
- Mixsawbah Fish Hatchery — LaPorte County (northwest Indiana), produces trout and other coldwater species
Additional warmwater species (walleye, saugeye, channel catfish, muskie) are raised at other DNR facilities and stocked across the state.
The DNR publishes all stocking data through the Fish Stocking Dashboard, a searchable online tool that shows exactly what was stocked, where, when, and in what quantity.
Trout Stocking — The Most Popular Program
Indiana’s trout stocking program is the most anticipated annual event for many anglers. Since Indiana has no native reproducing trout populations (except in a few northeast streams), the fishery depends entirely on stocking.
Spring Trout Stocking (March–May)
Spring stockings are the largest of the year. Rainbow trout make up the majority, with some locations receiving brown trout or brook trout.
Key spring stocking locations:
| Water | County | Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookville Lake Tailwater | Franklin | Rainbow, Brown | Best trout fishery in Indiana |
| Little Elkhart River | Elkhart | Rainbow, Brown | Catch-and-release stretch available |
| Pigeon River | LaGrange/Steuben | Rainbow, Brown | Natural reproduction in some reaches |
| Solomon Creek | LaGrange | Brown Trout | Small stream, finesse fishing |
| Trail Creek | LaPorte | Steelhead, Rainbow | Lake Michigan tributary |
| Fort Harrison State Park | Marion | Rainbow | Urban stocking near Indianapolis |
| Clear Creek (Bloomington) | Monroe | Rainbow | Easy access |
Tips for fishing stocked trout:
- Fish within 1-2 weeks of stocking for highest catch rates
- PowerBait (chartreuse or rainbow) is the easiest method for bank anglers
- Small spinners (Mepps #0-1, Rooster Tail) are effective for covering water
- Fly anglers should use egg patterns, woolly buggers, and hare’s ear nymphs
- You need a trout/salmon stamp ($11) to fish for trout
Fall Trout Stocking (October–November)
Fall stockings tend to be smaller but fish are larger (often 10-14 inch holdover fish). The same locations typically receive fall plants.
Fall trout fishing is excellent because water temperatures drop into the ideal trout range (50-60°F) and fishing pressure is much lower than spring.
Walleye Stocking
The DNR stocks walleye and saugeye (walleye x sauger hybrid) in several Indiana reservoirs. These stockings have created fishable walleye populations in waters that historically had none.
Key walleye stocking waters:
| Water | County | Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookville Lake | Franklin | Walleye | Indiana’s best walleye fishery |
| Mississinewa Lake | Miami/Wabash | Walleye, Saugeye | Strong natural reproduction now supplemented |
| Salamonie Lake | Huntington/Wabash | Walleye | Consistent stocking program |
| Monroe Lake | Monroe | Walleye | Large lake, growing population |
| Tippecanoe Lake | Kosciusko | Walleye | Natural lake, excellent habitat |
| Winona Lake | Kosciusko | Walleye | Longest-running stocking program |
Walleye are typically stocked as fry (newly hatched fish) in spring. It takes 2-3 years for stocked walleye to reach catchable size (14+ inches).
Channel Catfish Stocking
Channel catfish are the most widely stocked species in Indiana. The DNR plants channel cats in community ponds, state park lakes, and small reservoirs that might not sustain natural populations.
Commonly stocked catfish waters:
- Eagle Creek Reservoir (Marion County) — regular annual stocking
- Community ponds in public parks across the state
- State park lakes
- Many small lakes in our database receive catfish
Channel catfish stockings create excellent opportunities for bank fishing, especially for families and beginners. Stocked catfish are typically 8-12 inches and grow to keeper size within 1-2 seasons.
Muskie Stocking
Indiana maintains muskie populations in several northern Indiana lakes through stocking. Muskie don’t naturally reproduce in most Indiana waters, so these populations depend on the stocking program.
Muskie waters:
- Webster Lake — premier muskie destination
- Tippecanoe Lake — excellent muskie fishing
- Barbee Chain of Lakes — connected muskie water
- Bruce Lake — smaller lake, quality muskie
Contact the Webster Lake Guide Service or Penrod & Reel Guide Service for guided muskie trips on these waters.
How to Use the DNR Stocking Dashboard
The Indiana DNR’s Fish Stocking Dashboard is the definitive source for stocking data. Here’s how to use it:
- Visit the DNR Fish Stocking Dashboard
- Select the county or enter the water body name
- Choose the species you’re interested in (optional — leave blank to see all)
- Select the year range
- Click search — results show the exact date, species, number of fish, and size class stocked
Pro tip: Bookmark the dashboard and check it in March for spring trout stocking dates. The DNR also announces major stockings on their Facebook page and through press releases.
Stocking Calendar — When to Check
| Month | What’s Being Stocked | Where to Fish |
|---|---|---|
| March | Early trout (southern streams) | Brookville tailwater, Clear Creek |
| April | Main spring trout stockings | All trout streams + park ponds |
| May | Late trout, channel catfish | Community ponds, state parks |
| June–August | Channel catfish, bass (limited) | Community ponds |
| September | Early fall trout (limited) | Select streams |
| October–November | Fall trout stockings | Same locations as spring |
| Year-round | Walleye fry (spring), muskie (fall) | Various lakes |
Make the Most of Stocking Season
- Check the dashboard before you go. Knowing exactly when and where fish were stocked lets you be there at peak time
- Go within the first week. Stocked fish are most catchable in the first 7-10 days before they disperse and become wary
- Match the bait to the species. Trout want PowerBait and small spinners. Catfish want nightcrawlers and cut bait
- Buy your trout stamp early. Don’t get caught without it — the fine is more than the $11 stamp
- Stop at a local bait shop near the stocking site. They’ll know exactly when the truck came and what’s been working
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Indiana stock trout?
Indiana stocks rainbow trout in select streams and lakes across the state. Popular stocking locations include the Brookville Lake tailwater, Little Elkhart River, Pigeon River, Solomon Creek, and Fort Harrison State Park's Delaware Lake near Indianapolis.
When does Indiana stock trout?
Spring trout stocking typically occurs from late March through May. Fall stocking happens October through November. The DNR stocks from state hatcheries at Curtis Creek (Steuben County) and Mixsawbah (LaPorte County).
Does Indiana stock catfish?
Yes. The DNR stocks channel catfish in many public lakes and reservoirs throughout the year. Popular stocked catfish waters include Eagle Creek Reservoir, Brookville Lake, and many smaller community ponds.
How do I find out when a lake was stocked?
The Indiana DNR Fish Stocking Dashboard shows real-time stocking data for every public water body. Visit in.gov/dnr and search for 'fish stocking dashboard' to look up any specific lake or stream.