Indiana Fishing in April 2026: What's Biting Right Now
April 2, 2026 · Updated April 2026
April is when Indiana fishing shifts from winter dormancy to full-throttle spring action. Water temperatures are climbing into the 50s and 60s, triggering spawning runs, feeding binges, and some of the best fishing of the entire year. Here is what is biting right now across the state and where to find it.
Crappie: The Main Event
April crappie fishing is the headliner across Indiana. Both black crappie and white crappie are moving from deep winter holds to shallow spawning areas, and the fishing can be spectacular.
What Is Happening
As water temperatures push through 50-55 degrees, crappie begin staging near the areas where they will eventually spawn — brush piles, fallen trees, dock pilings, and shoreline cover in 4-8 feet of water. By mid-to-late April, when water hits 58-65 degrees, the spawn is on and crappie move into 2-4 feet of water.
Staging crappie are hungry and aggressive. Spawning crappie are territorial and aggressive. Either way, April crappie bite.
Where to Go
Monroe Lake — Indiana’s best crappie fishery. The Hardin Ridge and Allen’s Creek arms produce excellent spring crappie. Target brush piles in 4-8 feet during early April, then move shallower as water warms.
Patoka Lake — The upper end of the lake where tributaries enter warms first. Crappie stage along channel edges near the creek arms before moving shallow.
Mississinewa Reservoir — Consistently underrated crappie lake. The upper end and main lake points hold staging crappie in April. Check our best crappie lakes guide for the full list.
Salamonie Reservoir — Another strong crappie option. Fallen timber along the shoreline concentrates fish during the spawn.
How to Catch Them
Small jigs (1/16 oz) in white, chartreuse, or pink under a slip bobber set 3-6 feet deep. Small minnows on a #4 hook under a bobber. Fish near brush piles, fallen trees, and dock pilings. Move slowly along the shoreline until you find a concentration, then stay put — crappie school heavily.
Walleye: Post-Spawn Feeding at Brookville
Walleye are one of the first species to spawn in spring, typically finishing by late March in Indiana. April finds them in post-spawn recovery mode, feeding aggressively to regain weight.
Where to Go
Brookville Lake — Indiana’s premier walleye fishery. The statewide 14-inch minimum size limit (south of State Road 26) and stocking program have built a trophy-class population. April walleye at Brookville feed along points, rocky shorelines, and the main dam area. Early April is prime time before boat traffic picks up.
Mississinewa Reservoir — Good walleye population with strong DNR stocking support. Fish points and gravel transitions in 8-15 feet.
Salamonie Reservoir — Similar to Mississinewa with consistent walleye stocking. Post-spawn fish move to main lake points and rocky areas.
Monroe Lake — Not traditionally a walleye lake, but DNR stocking in recent years has built a growing population worth targeting.
How to Catch Them
Jig and minnow combinations worked along the bottom in 8-20 feet. Crawler harnesses trolled at 1.0-1.5 mph along points and transitions. Lipless crankbaits in gold or silver retrieved along rocky shorelines at dawn and dusk.
Largemouth Bass: Pre-Spawn Mode
Largemouth bass are in pre-spawn mode throughout April, feeding heavily in preparation for the spawning effort that peaks in May. Water temperatures in the 55-65 degree range push bass into shallow water near their eventual spawning sites.
What Is Happening
Pre-spawn bass are some of the biggest, most aggressive bass you will encounter all year. Female bass are heavy with eggs and feeding aggressively to fuel the spawn. They move from deeper winter holds to staging areas near shallow spawning flats — points, channel swings, and secondary banks in 4-10 feet of water.
Where to Go
Pre-spawn bass fishing is productive on virtually every Indiana lake and reservoir. Top options include:
- Eagle Creek Reservoir — Accessible Indianapolis-area bass fishing with good shoreline access.
- Geist Reservoir — Multiple access points with productive shoreline and cove fishing.
- Patoka Lake — Extensive shoreline cover and timber provide ideal pre-spawn staging areas.
- Monroe Lake — Big lake with big bass. Focus on the creek arms and secondary points.
How to Catch Them
Jerkbaits worked with long pauses near staging areas. Lipless crankbaits in crawfish patterns ripped through shallow grass. Jigs with crawfish trailers dragged along rocky transitions. Spinnerbaits slow-rolled past laydowns and dock pilings.
The DNR encourages catch and release for bass during the spring spawning period. Removing bass from spawning beds hurts reproduction. Practice catch and release through June.
Channel Catfish: Rivers Waking Up
Channel catfish become increasingly active as water temperatures push past 55 degrees. Indiana’s major rivers are the top targets in April.
Where to Go
White River — From Indianapolis downstream through Morgan and Owen counties. Channel catfish concentrate below dams and in deeper pools. The Broad Ripple dam area in Indianapolis is a popular and accessible spot.
Wabash River — Indiana’s longest river offers catfish action from Huntington County all the way to its confluence with the Ohio River. Focus on outside bends, logjams, and areas below dams.
Tippecanoe River — Cleaner water and smaller scale than the Wabash, but excellent catfish fishing. The river also holds good smallmouth bass that are active in April.
How to Catch Them
Cut bait (shad or bluegill chunks) or nightcrawlers on circle hooks fished on the bottom near current breaks. Target deeper holes, outside bends, and the tailwaters below dams. Catfish are most active from late afternoon through the night in April.
Lake Michigan: Charter Season Opens
The Lake Michigan charter fleet out of Michigan City begins its season in April with early runs for coho salmon and lake trout. Water temperatures near shore are still cold (38-45 degrees), concentrating baitfish and predators in accessible areas.
What to Expect
April charters target coho salmon and lake trout trolling relatively close to shore. Kings start showing up later in the month. The fishing can be excellent but weather-dependent — April lake conditions can change quickly.
Who should go: Experienced anglers comfortable with cold, potentially rough conditions. This is not the best month for family charter trips with young kids. Wait until July-September for calmer conditions and perch trips. See our charter fishing with kids guide for family-friendly options.
Browse Michigan City charter captains on FishingBooker or visit our fishing guides directory.
Bluegill and Panfish: Warming Up
Bluegill and other sunfish are becoming active in shallow water as temperatures rise. They are not yet spawning (that comes in May-June) but are feeding after a winter of reduced activity.
Where to Go
Any pond, lake, or slow river in Indiana holds bluegill. Focus on shallow areas that warm first — north-facing shorelines that receive afternoon sun, shallow coves protected from wind, and dark-bottomed areas that absorb heat.
How to Catch Them
Worm and bobber rigs in 2-4 feet of water near shoreline cover. Small jigs tipped with wax worms worked slowly. Fly fishing with small nymphs and poppers is increasingly effective as water warms through April.
April Fishing Checklist
- Buy or renew your Indiana fishing license ($23 annual resident)
- Check current fishing regulations for your target waters
- Stock up on crappie jigs (1/16 oz, white and chartreuse)
- Buy fresh minnows from a local bait shop
- Check lake levels and water temperatures (Indiana DNR website)
- Inspect and re-spool reels with fresh line after winter storage
- Apply sunscreen — April sun is stronger than it feels
Looking Ahead to May
May brings the bluegill spawn (the best panfishing of the year), peak bass spawning, continued crappie action in northern Indiana, and the opening of inland trout stocking. It is the single busiest fishing month in Indiana. Start planning now.
For month-by-month fishing guidance throughout the year, see our best time to fish Indiana guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish are biting in Indiana in April 2026?
April is one of Indiana's best fishing months. Crappie are staging and spawning statewide in shallow water. Walleye are active at Brookville Lake and other reservoirs after their spring spawn. Channel catfish are waking up on major rivers. Largemouth bass are in pre-spawn mode, feeding heavily in shallow water. Lake Michigan charter season is beginning with early salmon runs.
Where should I fish in Indiana in April?
Brookville Lake for walleye. Monroe Lake, Patoka Lake, or Mississinewa Reservoir for crappie. The White River, Wabash River, or Tippecanoe River for catfish and smallmouth bass. Any shallow pond or lake shoreline for bluegill and early bass. Michigan City for early-season Lake Michigan charters.
Are crappie spawning in April in Indiana?
Yes. Crappie begin staging near spawning areas when water temperatures hit 50-55 degrees, which typically occurs in early to mid-April in central Indiana. Spawning peaks when water reaches 60-68 degrees, usually mid-April through mid-May depending on location. Southern Indiana warms earlier than northern Indiana.
Is catch and release still required for bass in April in Indiana?
Indiana's bass season is open year-round, but the DNR strongly encourages catch and release for largemouth and smallmouth bass from March through mid-June when fish are in their spawning cycle. Removing bass from beds disrupts reproduction. You can legally keep bass within the 14-inch minimum size and 5-fish daily limit, but responsible anglers release spawning bass.