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Indiana · Fishing
Albion sits in Noble County in northeastern Indiana, and the fishing around town is almost entirely lake-based — which makes sense given the glacial terrain that left this corner of the state dotted with small, productive lakes.
8 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 8 spots
Albion sits in Noble County in northeastern Indiana, and the fishing around town is almost entirely lake-based — which makes sense given the glacial terrain that left this corner of the state dotted with small, productive lakes. The eight fishable waters near Albion include Petty Lake, Bowen Lake, Bear Lake, Keister Lake, Lower Long Lake, Bass Lake, and Payser Lake, all of them lake fisheries rather than river or stream destinations. That means you're planning around still-water tactics: casting from shore, working a small boat or kayak along weed edges, or anchoring over deeper structure. Most of these lakes are modest in size, which keeps crowds manageable and makes them approachable for anglers of any experience level. Bass and panfish are the bread-and-butter species you'd expect from Indiana glacial lakes of this type, though conditions vary lake to lake. If you're driving in from outside Noble County, it's worth calling the Indiana DNR Region 3 office ahead of your trip to confirm current access points and any site-specific rules, since public access arrangements on smaller private-adjacent lakes can change.
The lakes listed — Petty, Bowen, Bear, Keister, Lower Long, Bass, and Payser — are typical northeastern Indiana glacial lakes, so largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and yellow perch are the most common targets. Some of these lakes also hold northern pike, which thrive in the weedy shallows common to this lake type. None of the waters in this area are designated gold-medal or wild-trout fisheries, so don't plan a trip around trout.
Late spring through early summer is the most productive window, particularly May and June when bass are on or near their spawning beds and panfish are shallow and aggressive. Fall — September through mid-October — is a strong second choice as fish feed heavily before winter. Ice fishing is also a legitimate option on these lakes in January and February when ice thickness is safe, and it's a popular local tradition in Noble County.
Petty Lake
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Pigeon River Fish & Wildlife Area
~37 min drive
Moderate
Payser Lake
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Payser Lake
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Bass Lake
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Lower Long Lake
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Bear Lake
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Keister Lake
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Bowen Lake
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Crane Lake
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Long Lake
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Crooked Lake
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Also worth it near here
Shore fishing is possible at several of these lakes, but a small boat, canoe, or kayak opens up significantly more water and lets you work weed lines and deeper structure that shore anglers can't reach. If you're bringing a motorized boat, check Indiana DNR rules for each specific lake, as some smaller Noble County lakes have horsepower restrictions or electric-motor-only designations.
A medium-light spinning setup in the 6- to 7-foot range handles most situations well — it's versatile enough for bass with soft plastics or topwater lures and light enough for panfish with small jigs or live bait. Bring a selection of 1/8 to 1/4 oz jig heads, plastic worms, and a few spinnerbaits for bass, plus small bobbers and wax worms or nightcrawlers if you want to target bluegill and crappie. Polarized sunglasses are genuinely useful on these shallower lakes for spotting structure and fish.
Yes, anyone 18 or older fishing in Indiana needs a valid Indiana fishing license. You can buy one online through the Indiana DNR website, at a local bait shop, or at most sporting goods retailers. If you plan to keep fish, make sure you're current on Indiana's daily bag and size limits for the species you're targeting, as these are set statewide but worth reviewing before your trip.
