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Indiana · Fishing
Huntington, Indiana sits at the center of a quiet but productive fishing scene built around a handful of lakes that don't get the crowds of bigger Indiana reservoirs. The anchor is J. Edward Roush Lake, a U.S.
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Huntington, Indiana sits at the center of a quiet but productive fishing scene built around a handful of lakes that don't get the crowds of bigger Indiana reservoirs. The anchor is J. Edward Roush Lake, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers impoundment on the Salamonie River that draws anglers from across northeast Indiana. Celina Lake and Clair Lake round out the local options and offer more relaxed, accessible outings — Celina Lake in particular is rated easy difficulty and holds largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish, making it a solid choice for families or anyone shaking off the rust early in the season. The terrain around all three lakes is flat to gently rolling, so getting to the water doesn't require much effort. None of these are trophy-designated or gold-medal waters, but they're consistent producers for anglers who know the seasonal patterns and show up at the right time of day. If you're driving in from out of town, Huntington is easy to navigate and the lakes are close to town, which makes it practical to fish a morning session and still have time for lunch.
Celina Lake holds largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish. J. Edward Roush Lake and Clair Lake are also lake fisheries in the same region, so similar warmwater species are a reasonable expectation, though specific stocking data for those two isn't confirmed here. Plan your gear around warmwater panfish and bass as your baseline.
Yes, anyone 18 or older needs a valid Indiana fishing license to fish any of these waters. You can purchase one through the Indiana DNR's online licensing portal or at local bait and tackle shops. J. Edward Roush Lake is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, so check for any site-specific access rules when you arrive.
Clair Lake
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Salamonie Lake
~21 min drive
Easy
J. Edward Roush Lake
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Mississinewa Lake
~43 min drive
Easy
Lost Bridge West
~20 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Celina Lake
~7 min drive
Easy
Hominy Ridge Lake
~22 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Emerald Lake
~27 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Kunkel Lake
~37 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Shoaff Lake
~38 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Indian Lake
~41 min drive
A worthwhile stop near IN.
Beigh Lake
~42 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 largemouth bass and crappie in Indiana's warmwater lakes. Channel catfish tend to feed more actively after dark, especially in summer. Midday fishing in July and August is slower across the board as water temperatures rise.
A medium-light spinning setup covers most of what you'll encounter — bluegill and crappie on small jigs or live bait under a bobber, bass on soft plastics or shallow-running crankbaits. For channel catfish at Celina Lake, bring a heavier rod, a bottom rig, and cut bait or chicken liver. All three lakes are flat-water fisheries, so a kayak, canoe, or small motorized boat opens up more water, but bank fishing is accessible at Celina Lake.
Late April through early June is prime time for crappie and bass as water temperatures climb into the 55-65°F range and fish move shallow to spawn. Summer stays productive for catfish and panfish. Fall, particularly September and October, brings another strong bass bite as fish feed up before winter. Ice fishing is possible in hard winters, but conditions vary year to year.
