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Indiana · Fishing
Columbia City sits in Whitley County in northeastern Indiana, and the fishing here is almost entirely built around the area's natural lakes.
6 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 6 spots
Columbia City sits in Whitley County in northeastern Indiana, and the fishing here is almost entirely built around the area's natural lakes. Dollar Lake, Brown Lake, Crooked Lake, Crane Lake, Indian Lake, and Goose Lake all offer lake fishing within reach of town, giving anglers a handful of options without having to drive far. These are typical glacial lakes for this part of Indiana — relatively shallow, weedy in the shallows, and productive for warm-water species like largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish. None of the lakes in this list are designated gold medal or wild trout waters, so this is warm-water fishing country through and through. That's not a knock on it — a summer morning on a quiet Indiana lake with a good crappie bite going is hard to beat. Most of the lakes have public access points or boat ramps, though a few may require a short walk or have limited parking. If you're coming from out of town, it's worth calling the Indiana DNR or checking their online lake finder before you go to confirm current access and any site-specific rules. An Indiana fishing license is required for anyone 18 or older.
The lakes around Columbia City are warm-water fisheries, so you're primarily looking at largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish. Some lakes may also hold northern pike or yellow perch, which are common in Whitley County glacial lakes, but check with the Indiana DNR for species-specific information on individual waters like Crane Lake or Indian Lake.
Both options are viable depending on the lake. Glacial lakes in this region often have weedy shorelines with accessible banks in spots, but a small boat or kayak opens up a lot more water, especially for targeting bass and crappie in deeper structure. Check access conditions for each lake before you go, since shoreline access varies.
Goose Lake
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Celina Lake
~40 min drive
Easy
Dollar Lake
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Brown Lake
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Crooked Lake
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Crane Lake
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Horseshoe Lake
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Indian Lake
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Bear Lake
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Little Cedar Lake
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Round Lake
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Payser Lake
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Also worth it near here
Late spring through early summer is generally the most productive window, when bass are spawning in the shallows and crappie are moving into structure near the banks. Bluegill fishing stays solid through summer. Fall can be good for bass again as water temps drop. Ice fishing is also a real option in winter on lakes like Dollar Lake and Brown Lake when conditions allow.
Early morning and the last two hours before sunset are the most consistent times for bass and crappie in warm months. Midday in summer tends to push fish deeper or into shade. For catfish, night fishing after dark can be productive through the warmer months.
Yes, Indiana requires a fishing license for anyone 18 or older. You can buy one online through the Indiana DNR website, at a local bait shop, or at most sporting goods retailers. A standard annual resident license is the most cost-effective option if you plan to fish more than once or twice a season.
