It's Fish O'Clock Somewhere!

Catfish season is here and Indian Lake is stocked and ready! Chris Veltri and his wife, Jennifer, have made big changes at the Lake this spring. Starting with their new logo and continuing with their new lake house renovations, they are ready to kick off catfish season in April.

“One of our newest changes was to change our logo. We wanted to celebrate our native Elk River-Indian Creek roots and this year has been designated as the year of the Indian,” said Chris. Tournament names have also been changed to reflect their Indian heritage. On Tuesdays they will have the Tepee Tue Tournament with a $10 entry, $5 Big Fish; Fridays will be the Powwow Fri Tournament with a $15 entry, $10 Big Fish, and Saturdays will have the Tomahawk Sat Tournament with a $25 entry, $15 Big Fish.

Chris and Jennifer have been the owners of Indian Lake for seven years. This year their fishermen/ women/children will be able to enjoy a new bait shop and a new kitchen/concessions. They are also adding new lighting around the lake. “We have been working hard to refresh many of our features at the Lake,” said Chris. “We are also going to be offering a wider selection of live bait. We just want Indian Lake to be a destination of choice for people to come and relax and enjoy a day of fishing.”

The Lake will be stocking catfish weekly. The 2023 price schedule is: $30 (2 poles) 12 hour ticket, includes money boards; $22 (2 poles) 12 hour ticket; and no money boards. Kids: 5 and under FREE with a paying adult; 6-12 years: $10 (1 pole) with a paying adult, no money boards.

Money Boards include: Slots: 4 slots (25, 45, and 55 up) $4; Midnight tags $1; Big Fish of the Week (BFOW) $2; 777 $1; and 40 lb. Club (free entry).

Chris said, “New for 2023, if you hit the 777, you get to pick the new number.” Also, new for 2023 are midnight tags. Chris explained that when the bait shop is closed, you can still win money. “Simply catch a tag, take a picture of the tag number and a picture with you and the fish, release the fish healthy, and win! Text the photos to 304.552.7889 and you will be able to collect your winnings the following day. Simple and easy!”

There is a new 40 lb. Club for 2023. If anyone catches three fish over 40 lbs., they will win a “40 lb. club t-shirt” and either $100 in cash or 5 free passes to Indian Lake. There is no entry fee for the 40 lb. Club.

Another new change for 2023 is the Big Fish Bell. If anyone catches any fish over 25 lbs, they get to ring the bell for Elk River braggin’ rights. (We all know the fish gets bigger each time a fisherman tells the story.)

Indian Lake’s hours of operation are: Monday 8 AM-12 PM Midnight; Tuesday: 8 AM-12 PM (Tournament 7 pm-11 PM); Wednesday and Thursday: CLOSED; GATES LOCKED; NO FISHING Every Wednesday and Thursday is for cleaning and seining bait. Any help will be appreciated on those days. Come and help seine the lake and take all the bait you want for free! Friday: 24 hours (Tournament 8 PM -12 Midnight); Saturday: 24 hours (Tournament 8 PM - 12 Midnight); Sunday: 8 AM- Midnight.

If the bait shop is locked any day other than Wednesday and Thursday, visitors can just use the drop box. You must have the correct change.

Chris said, “We stock weekly when our water is right. Our goal this summer is to provide you with the fish to get 20 or 30 fish tickets. We will stock giants but our objective is numbers; 15-30 lb. Blues will be the goal. Blues, Blues, and more Blues are coming this year.”

Visit Indian Lake’s Facebook page for catfish opening day in April. Until then come and fish rainbow and golden trout--the fish wagon runs and stocks the lake weekly! They are located at 1111 Indian Lake Drive in Elkview. For more information contact them at 304.965.5661 or fishmancjv@yahoo.com. Chris and Jennifer are excited to see your bobbers dropping in the water!

INDIAN LAKE WHOLESALE LIVE HAUL

If you are looking for local fish stocking for streams, ponds, paylakes, fishing clubs or feefishing operations, check out Indian Lake’s sister company, Indian Lake Wholesale Live Haul. Chris said, “It is go-time now for catfish so call or text me at 304.552.7889 to get your name on the list.”

Indian Lake Wholesale Live Haul will service their loyal customers only from 2023 going forward. He said, “We are cutting back on our list a bit to ensure our regular customers get what they need.”

Indian Lake Wholesale Live Haul’s 2023 prices are Bluecats $2.75-$3.50 lb.; Flatheads $3.00-$3.50 lb.; Wild Channels $2.50 lb.; and Farm-Raised Channels $3.50 lb. NOTE: Delivery fee may apply depending on weight. They also offer pick-up prices at their Indian Lake (Elkview) location.

Chris stated that Indian Lake Wholesale Live Haul guarantees live delivery only. “Upon delivery fish must be inspected, paid for, and signed-off on before unloading. Fish may be weighed off the truck if you choose, but you will need to have help to weigh them.”

Indian Lake and Indian Lake Wholesale Live Haul also offer gift certificates, a perfect gift for the fishermen in your life. Give Chris a call or text at 304.552.7889 to have your favorite fishing hole stocked and ready to go or to purchase a gift certificate for tournaments or a day of fishing at the lake.

Chris said, “Indian Lake is a proud supporter of Herbert Hoover Athletics; we take pride in our Elk River community.” He is a 1997 Herbert Hoover alumnus. He and Jennifer live in Elkview and have three daughters who attend Hoover now, Emma (Senior), Maci (Junior) and Ayva (Freshman).