These rivers to fish in Indiana should be at the top of your list of things to do this summer.
Indiana is often overlooked as a great fishing state. However, these five rivers to fish in Indiana may change that.
If you know where to look, Indiana offers some of the best fishing in the Midwest, but getting to those places might be what makes them so good.
Make sure you find the time to try out at least one of these rivers before the leaves start to turn colors this fall.
1. Brookville Tailwater
Located right in the middle of Brookville, Indiana, close to the Ohio-Indiana line lies a tailwater flowing out of the Brookville Reservoir. The small stretch of water is teeming full of trout all stocked by the state of Indiana. Fishing for the stocked browns and rainbows can be excellent in the spring and summer with a dry fly bite that rivals some of the best in the Midwest.
Holdover browns do get pretty big, however, so be ready because a 20-inch brownie could be there to challenge you on every drift.
2. Eel River
The Eel River, flowing through Logansport, offers some of the best smallmouth and carp fishing there is in Indiana. Why don't you know about this, you may ask? Well, the White River normally gets all the hype.
The Eel is easily wadeable in many parts and is also very easy to read without much practice. If you like carp on the fly, you may have found your new favorite water to fish.
3. Sugar Creek
Over on the western side of the state flows Sugar Creek. Just travel a little south of Crawfordsville and look for roads that pass over the creek. There you'll find yourself in smallmouth heaven.
Sugar creek boasts a 20-inch limit for smallmouth bass so meat-eating fishermen have to let the standard 12-inch keepers go. This creates a fishery with a much higher than average-sized fish. You won't find as many smallies as you might in other bodies of water, but the ones you find will be big.
4. Trail Creek
Trail Creek connects to Lake Michigan. Runs of king salmon in the fall and steelhead, both winter and summer runs, bring crowds of fishermen all over the Midwest to its banks. You may have to get here early to beat other fishermen, but the time spent on this water is worth it.
This creek holds multiple state-record fish and would-be record-breakers are there right now waiting on you. If you want another tip, just pull up a map and look for other streams flowing off Michigan and you may be in a for a pleasant surprise.
5. Tippecanoe River
The Tippy offers fishing totally unique to Indiana. You're just as likely to catch stripers, hybrids, walleye, northern pike or muskies as you are to catch a largemouth bass. This river is often very under-fished in comparison to the fishery that it is. Pay special attention to the stretch below Winamac and above Monticello. If you want northerns, there are plenty there to cover your whole boat in slime.
Of course, these five rivers are not all that Indiana has to offer. If anything, let these be a taste of the wonderland of fishing that can be found in the Hoosier State. Spring is in full swing and summer is just around the corner. Start making plans now to get out and wade or float some of these waters right now.
You'll be glad you did.
NEXT: NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO GET IN ON A GATOR PERMIT IN FLORIDA
WATCH
