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Indiana · Fishing
Howe sits in the lake-dotted corner of LaGrange County, and the fishing around town reflects that geography well.
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Howe sits in the lake-dotted corner of LaGrange County, and the fishing around town reflects that geography well. The five lakes within reach — Troxel Lake, Greenfield Reservoir, Grassy Lake, Donaldson Lake, and Duff Lake — are all still-water fisheries, which means you're working structure, weed edges, and depth transitions rather than reading current. Expect the typical northern Indiana warm-water mix: largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish are the most commonly targeted species across lakes like these in the region. None of the waters in this list are designated gold medal or wild trout waters, so trout fishing is not what draws people here. What does draw them is the accessibility and the relatively low pressure compared to the bigger resort lakes further north in the county. A small boat or kayak opens up more of these lakes than bank fishing alone, though shoreline access varies by site. If you're driving in from out of town, it's worth confirming public access points before you go, since some smaller LaGrange County lakes have limited or privately managed entry. Indiana fishing regulations apply across all five lakes, so a valid Indiana fishing license is required for anyone 18 and older.
All five lakes — Troxel Lake, Greenfield Reservoir, Grassy Lake, Donaldson Lake, and Duff Lake — are warm-water lake fisheries typical of northern Indiana. Largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish are the species most consistently found in lakes of this type in LaGrange County. None of these waters are listed as trout fisheries, so plan your gear accordingly.
Yes, a valid Indiana fishing license is required for anyone 18 or older fishing any of these lakes. You can purchase one online through the Indiana DNR website or at local bait and sporting goods shops. Annual and short-term licenses are both available, so a day license works fine if you're just passing through.
Donaldson Lake
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Pigeon River Fish & Wildlife Area
~12 min drive
Moderate
Troxel Lake
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Duff Lake
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Mongo Millpond
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Greenfield Reservoir
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Grassy Lake
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Wall Lake
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Wall Lake
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Fish Lake
~12 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Fish Lake
~12 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Royer Lake
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Also worth it near here
Early morning and the last two hours before sunset are consistently the most productive windows for bass and panfish in warm-water lakes like these. Midday in summer tends to push fish deeper or into shaded structure, so if you're fishing midday, slow down your presentation and target deeper edges or docks.
It depends on the specific lake. Smaller lakes like Grassy Lake and Duff Lake can be reasonably fished from shore if you can find a good access point, but a kayak or small johnboat will give you access to weed lines and structure that bank anglers simply can't reach. Check public access availability for each lake before your trip, since shoreline access on some of these smaller LaGrange County lakes is limited.
Late spring through early summer is the most productive stretch, when bass are moving shallow to spawn and panfish are active near structure. Fall is a close second, particularly September and October when cooling water temperatures trigger feeding activity before winter. Ice fishing is also a legitimate option on these lakes in a typical Indiana winter, though ice thickness and safety conditions vary year to year.
