St. Joseph River
River · Indiana
Northern Indiana's smallmouth and steelhead river
The St. Joseph River enters northern Indiana from Michigan and runs west-southwest through Elkhart and St. Joseph counties — past Elkhart, Mishawaka, and South Bend — before turning north to re-enter Michigan and empty into Lake Michigan. (It is a different river from the Maumee-basin St. Joseph that flows past Fort Wayne in northeastern Indiana, which has no Lake Michigan salmon run.) Indiana's stretch offers one of the state's best smallmouth bass fisheries, especially around Elkhart, Mishawaka, and South Bend. Anadromous steelhead and chinook salmon migrate up from Lake Michigan in fall and spring — the East Race in South Bend and the Twin Branch / Mishawaka stretches are renowned salmon and steelhead destinations. Northern pike, walleye, channel catfish, and rock bass round out the year-round fishery.
Access Points & Ramps
Public ramps, marinas, and shore-fishing access maintained by Indiana DNR, Army Corps, or local agencies.
East Race Waterway
Shore fishing
South Bend, IN
Fall salmon, spring steelhead — premier urban salmonid access
Mishawaka Riverwalk
Shore fishing
Mishawaka, IN
Central Park Boat Launch
Boat ramp
Mishawaka, IN
Twin Branch Dam
Shore fishing, tailwater
Mishawaka, IN
Elkhart River Confluence
Boat ramp, shore fishing
Elkhart, IN
Map & Directions
Get DirectionsShowing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.
Nearby Bait & Tackle
Michiana Boat Show
South Bend, IN
★ 5On Point Guide Service
South Bend, IN
★ 5Stacy's Bait & Tackle
South Bend, IN
★ 4.3Bennington Pontoon Boats Main Office
Elkhart, IN
★ 3Fletcher's Bait & Tackle
Warsaw, IN
★ 4.7Hoosier Heartland Guide Service
Syracuse, IN
★ 3.5Hurleys Hunting/Fishing Guide & Deer Recovery
Mishawaka, IN
Kelley's Bait & Tackle
Lakeville, IN
★ 4.7Nearby Marinas
Fish Species
Species known to inhabit St. Joseph River. Click any species for a full fishing guide.
Fishing Guides Near St. Joseph River
(574) 304-9330
(219) 331-5377
(574) 993-7453
(630) 396-0975
(616) 826-8063
(574) 210-2844
Book a guided trip near St. Joseph River. Browse verified fishing charters with instant availability on FishingBooker.
Other Lakes in St. Joseph County
Plan Your Trip to St. Joseph River
- Weather forecast for St. Joseph River — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
- GPS: 41.6764°N, 86.2520°W — Get Directions
- Check the latest DNR fishing report for current conditions
- Review Indiana fishing regulations for season dates and limits
- An Indiana fishing license is required for ages 18+ — buy online at IN.gov
Data sourced from Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife. Last verified: April 26, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.