Northern Indiana’s Lake Wawasee spans over 3,000 acres and is filled with clean, clear water. It’s a fantastic spot for motor-boating, water-skiing, sailing, swimming, and fishing.

The lake is a favorite for anglers for several reasons. One is the wide variety of fish; Wawasee is filled with bass, crappie, bluegill, sunfish, walleye, and northern pike. It’s lined with boat docks, making it a great choice for those who prefer fishing by boat. There are also several places anglers can fish, including the main lake, bays, or the many channel waterways that surround the lake. Ice fishing is available in the winter.

Read on for some useful information on fishing on Lake Wawasee.

Types of fish

Wawasee has healthy schools of bluegill and sunfish. The most common catches are largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, rock bass, yellowgill, walleye, and pike. In 1990, a whopping 63-pound sturgeon was caught (and released) by a local angler.

Fishing by boat

The best way to catch fish in Wawasee is by boat. Boaters can use the free public boat ramp, which is on the southeastern shore. There are also a few local marinas which charge a small fee to use their private boat ramps. Supplies, fuel, boat repairs and maintenance are available at the marinas, as well.

For those without a boat of their own, there are several locations to rent a fishing boat.

Ice fishing

It’s possible to get some very nice catches here in the winter. Lake Wawasee is the largest natural inland lake in the state, so there are numerous places on the lake to drill a hole and start fishing. Because the water area is so large, the main lake typically takes longer to freeze than the smaller bays and channels. These channels often draw the first ice fishermen of the season, and first-ice action is usually excellent.

Note that access to the lake can be limited during the first ice when the main lake is not completely frozen yet. Make sure to get permission for to park and cross private property when heading for the channels.

Lake Wawasee’s excellent fishing makes it a good spot for experienced and weekend anglers, but it’s also a great destination for unique corporate outings and retreats and team-building activities. If you’re in Fort Wayne, Warsaw, Goshen, Elkhart, or South Bend, consider heading to Wawasee for your next company event.