Noble County Lakes Guide - 2023

Indiana Fishing & License Regulations 2023-24

WHO NEEDS A FISHING LICENSE

With a few exceptions (see License Exemptions), a valid fishing license issued by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources is required to fish in public lakes, streams, rivers or tributaries in Indiana and its boundary waters.

A printed license must be signed in ink to be valid, or the licensee must produce an electronic copy of the license while fishing. You must carry it with you when fishing and present it to an Indiana Conservation Officer (or any other authorized law enforcement official) upon request. There are fines and penalties for fishing without a license. To legally fish for or take trout and salmon from public waters, you must also have a valid trout/salmon stamp and a valid fishing license while fishing.

To qualify for resident fishing licenses, a person must have established a true fixed and permanent home and primary residence in Indiana for 60 consecutive days prior to purchasing a license or permit, and not claim residency for fishing, hunting, or trapping in another state or country. All others are non-residents.

Indiana residents who were born after March 31, 1943 and are at least 64 years of age are eligible to buy a Senior Annual or Senior Fish for Life License. The Senior Fish for Life License is valid for the rest of the holder’s life and includes the trout/salmon stamp.

A fishing license may be revoked if the license holder is convicted of violating fish and wildlife regulations. Any equipment used in the violation of Indiana fish and wildlife laws may be seized for evidence and be confiscated upon conviction.

FISHING LICENSE EXEMPTIONS

A fishing license and trout/salmon stamp are NOT required for: Indiana residents born before April 1, 1943. Such residents should carry their valid Indiana driver’s license or other identification to verify age and residency.

• Residents and non-residents under age 18.

• Residents who are legally blind. Proof of being legally blind is not required while fishing.

• Residents of a state-owned mental rehabilitation facility.

• Residents of any licensed health care facility in Indiana taking part in a supervised fishing activity sponsored by the facility.

• Residents who have a developmental disability as defined by IC 12-7-2-61. Proof of the disability is not required while fishing.

• Fishing in a private pond that does not allow fish entry from or exit to public waters. However, an angler must have permission from the property owner to fish.

• Residents of Indiana engaged in full-time military service while on approved military leave. However, the angler must carry leave orders and a valid Indiana Driver’s License or voter registration card.

• Resident owners or lessees of Indiana farmland who farm that land, their spouses and children living with them, while fishing on the farmland they own or lease. This exemption does not apply to land owned by a business, corporation, or partnership unless the shareholders, partners, members, or owners are composed solely of an immediate family and farm that land. Farmland means agricultural land that is devoted to or best adaptable to the production of crops, fruits, timber, or raising livestock, or is assessed as agricultural land for property tax purposes.

• Some non-resident landowners, while fishing in public waters from the farmland they own, according to the exemptions that their state provides to Indiana residents.

NOTE: Non-resident military personnel on active duty and stationed in Indiana may purchase an Indiana resident license.

Indiana disabled American veterans can get a DAV fishing and hunting license application form from the County Service Officer where they live or they can download the application form at Fishing.IN.gov by clicking “Disabled Veterans’ (DAV) License.” Place the form in a stamped self-addressed envelope and mail to the DNR Customer Service Center: 402 W. Washington St., Room W160, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Online …

HOW TO BUY A LICENSE

Go to: on.IN.gov/INHuntFish

In Person …

To find a retailer near you, visit Fishing.IN.gov, select “Fishing License” then click “Find an authorized license vendor near you” or visit the DNR Customer Service Center, Indiana Government Center South, 402 W. Washington St., Room W160, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday.

By Mail …

Send check, money order (payable to DNR) or Visa, Master Card, or Discover card number with expiration date to:

DNR Customer Service Center, Attn: Licenses

402 W. Washington St., Room W160

Indianapolis, IN 46204

Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Include the following information:

• Name, date of birth, driver’s license number and Social Security Number (mandatory).

• Complete address, city, state, ZIP code, and phone number

• Height, weight, color of hair and eyes.

• Specify the licenses including the season.

• Hunter Education certificate number if born after Dec. 31, 1986.

By Phone …

Call (317) 232-4200.

RESIDENT LICENSES

NON-RESIDENT LICENSES

All 2023 annual licenses and stamp privileges are valid from April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024. 2023 license fees are subject to change by the Natural Resources Commission. For a list of current license fees, go to Fishing.IN.gov or call (317) 232-4200.

Public Access Sites

Bear Lake .................... SR 109 to County Road 200 South to S. Lakeshore Dr.

Big Lake ....................................................just west of SR 109 on W. Lakeshore Dr.

Bixler Lake .......................................................................... Diamond St. to Lake St.

Crane Lake ...................................................... just east of County Road 300 West on County Road 500 South

Cree Lake .................................................. South of Cree Lake Dr. North on SR 3

Crooked Lake ....................................... just east of SR 109 on S. Woodstrail Rd.

Diamond Lake .................................................. South of County Road 600 North on County Road 475 West

Eagle Lake .......................................................... US 33 to County Road 500 North

Engle Lake ........................................ County Road 750 West to W. Highland Dr.

Knapp Lake ..................... County Road 900 West to County Road 950 West / County Road 90 South

Loon Lake ................................... County Road 600 West / County Line Road to County Road 700 North

Old Lake ............................. County Road 700 North to County Road 350 West

Skinner Lake ........................... just north of SR 8 on N. Skinner Lake Dr. West

Smalley Lake .................... County Road 350 South to County Road 850 West

Sparta Lake ....................... US 33 to W. Noe St. to N. Georgia St. to Maple St.

Sylvan Lake ........................... On Kelley St. (SR 9) just south of Washington St.

Upper Long Lake ... US 33 to County Road 100 North to N. Long Lake Rd. to County Road 25 North to N. Hazelwood Dr.

Village Lake ....................................... South of County Road 100 North on SR 5

West Lakes (Elkhart River Public Access to West Lakes) ................... County Road 1050 North to County Road 125 West to W. River Dr.

Indiana Boating Safety

AGE OPERATOR RESTRICTIONS:

All Motorboat or PWC operators in Indiana must have a valid driver’s license to operate on all public waters. Operators who are at least 15 years of age and don’t have a driver’s license may operate a motor vessel if they take a NASBLA approved boater education course and have an I.D. Card on board issued by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

PERSONAL FLOTATION

DEVICES (PFD):

Boats less than 16 feet long, and a canoe or kayak of any length, must have onboard a wearable U.S.C.G. approved PFD for everyone onboard or being towed. Boats 16 feet and longer must have wearable PFDs for everyone onboard and readily accessible.

Personal Watercraft operators and passengers must wear an approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD.

Required PFDs must be readily accessible.

RECKLESS OPERATION:

Reckless operation of a boat, when a boat is operated carelessly in willful disregard of the rights, safety, or property of others, is a crime in Indiana. Examples of reckless operation include:

• Excessive speed in regulated or congested areas or during times of restricted visibility

• Operating in a manner that may cause an accident

• Operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs

• Operating in a swimming area with swimmers present

• Towing water skiers where obstructions exist or a fall might cause them to be injured

• Bow riding or riding on the gunwale or transom where no seating is provided

• Operation of a personal watercraft which endangers life or property.

EXHAUST MUFFLER REQUIRED:

No person shall operate any powercraft without a muffler, underwater exhaust, or other device that muffles or suppresses the sound of the exhaust at all speeds.

WATER SKIING/TUBING:

No person shall tow a person on water skis, tube, or similar device without an observer (in addition to the boat operator) aboard to observe the skier and the towline.

Water skiing/tubing is not permitted between after sunset and before sunrise.

PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC):

Persons less than 15 years of age shall not operate a Personal Watercraft. Each person on a Personal Watercraft (PWC) must wear a Coast Guard approved PFD. Additionally, the operator must wear a lanyard type cut off switch provided by the manufacturer which will shut off the PWC should the operator fall off.

A PWC is a boat and operators of PWCs must obey all boating regulations and requirements. PWC operators must adhere to additional legal requirements that apply specifically to the operation of PWCs on Indiana waterss. The operator of a Personal Watercraft should operate in a reasonable and prudent manner. PWCs may be operated during daylight hours only unless equipped with the appropriate lighting.

PWCs may be used to tow skiers/ tubes if the PWC is designed to seat at least three people and is at least 9 feet long. Also, a person other than the operator must be onboard as an observer.

BOAT LIGHT REQUIREMENTS:

Boats under way between sunset and sunrise must display a green bow light on the starboard (right) and red bow light on the port (left), as well as an “all around” (visible from 360 degrees) white light on the stern. Boats at anchor must display one all around white light visible to any approaching crafts. Rowboats or paddleboats must have an all around white light ready to display in time to prevent collision.

BOATING WHILE INTOXICATED:

Operating a boat or PWC while intoxicated is against the law. Refusal to submit to a test may result in loss of operating privileges for at least one year.

SPEED LIMITS AFTER “OFFICIAL SUNSET”:

No skiing, or any other activity requiring speeds in excess of 10 MPH may be engaged in between the official time of sunset and sunrise. Syracuse has a flashing beacon light on the NW corner of the lake (at the public pier) that starts flashing at sunset.

DAMAGE TO MARKER BUOYS:

The Lake Association has been charged by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources with the responsibility of placing and maintaining State-Owned Marker Buoys. These are placed less than 200 feet from shore in locations considered particularly critical as warning to boaters to keep their distance from shore (such as off point of land) or to reduce their speed (such as entries to channels). Intentional damage or other interference with these buoys is a crime against the State and carries a severe fine, a jail sentence, or both. These buoys are anchored with a chain and will probably damage a boat if hit.

LEGAL DISTANCE FROM SHORE:

It is unlawful to operate a motorized boat closer than 200 feet from the shoreline, unless coming or going from the shore; also to operate at greater than idle speed closer than 200 feet from shore.

REGISTRATION/TITLING:

All motorboats operated on the waters of Indiana must be registered and numbered. Motorboats legally registered in another state can be used in Indiana for 60 consecutive days before an Indiana registration is required.

Indiana and federal boating laws are presented in a summarized form. The laws in their entirety can be found by consulting Indiana State Law. These laws are subject to change. It is the responsibility of the operator to be aware of the most current laws when using a boat.

Certain bodies of water in Indiana have local restrictions as to type and size of watercraft or motor horsepower, restricted use areas, boat speed, and times for use. Check with the local authorities for these additional restrictions.

You may obtain registration and title application forms at any BMV location

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Department of Natural Resources

402 West Washington St., Room W160A Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 232-4010

Bear and High Lakes

Approximate Acres of Water — Bear Lake: 136; High Lake: 121

Best Fishing — Bear Lake: Bluegill, Perch, Pike, Crappie

High Lake: Catfish, Crappie, Northern Pike, Perch, Walleye

Lake Bottom — Bear Lake: Gravel, Muck, Sand

High Lake: Marl, Muck, Sand

LEA

Big and Crooked Lakes

Approximate Acres of Water — Big Lake: 228; Crooked Lake: 206

Best Fishing — Big Lake: Bluegill, Perch, Largemouth Bass, Crappie

Crooked Lake: Bluegill, Perch, Trout, Largemouth Bass

Lake Bottom — Big Lake: Marl, Muck, Sand

Crooked Lake: Marl, Muck, Sand

Bixler, Little Long and Round Lakes

Best Fishing — Bixler Lake: Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch

Little Long Lake: Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Perch, Pike

Round Lake: Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Perch

GAS STATION PAY ACCESS SITE PUBLIC ACCESS SITE MARINA G2 H2

Lake Bottom — Bixler Lake: Muck, Marl, Sand; Little Long Lake: Marl, Sand; Round Lake: Marl, Sand

LITTLE LONG William St.

LAKE

Cree Lake

Approximate Acres of Water — 76

Best Fishing — Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Perch

Diamond and Eagle Lakes

Approximate Acres of Water — Diamond Lake: 105; Eagle Lake: 81

Best Fishing — Diamond Lake: Bluegill, Crappie, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike;

Eagle Lake: Bluegill, Perch, Largemouth Bass, Bullhead, Redear, Pumpkinseed

Lake Bottom — Diamond Lake: Marl, Muck, Sand; Eagle Lake: Marl

Engle Lake

Approximate Acres of Water — 48 Best Fishing — Bluegill, Redear, Bullhead, Largemouth Bass, Perch

Knapp, Village, Duely, Rider, Gordy, Hindman, Moss and Harper Lakes

Approximate Acres of Water — Knapp Lake: 120; Village Lake: 76; Duely Lake: 21; Rider Lake: 1; Gordy Lake: 29; Hindman Lake: 9; Moss Lake: 9; Harper Lake: 16.5

Best Fishing — Knapp Lake: Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Redear, Crappie; Village Lake: Bluegill, Redear, Largemouth Bass, Sunfish; Duely Lake: Largemouth Bass, Bluegill; Gordy Lake: Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Sunfish; Hindman Lake: Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Sunfish; Moss Lake: Bass, Bluegill, Catfish, Sunfish; Harper Lake: Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Sunfish; Rider Lake: Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike

Lake Bottom — Knapp Lake: Marl, Muck, Sand

Loon and Old Lakes

Approximate Acres of Water — Loon Lake: 222; Old Lake: 34

Best Fishing — Loon Lake: Bluegill, Perch, Crappie, Muskie

Old Lake: Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Sunfish

Lake Bottom — Loon Lake: Marl, Muck, Sand, Clay

Skinner Lake

E.SkinnerLakeDriveN NArthurDr. N. Skinner Lake Drive W.

GAS STATION PAY ACCESS SITE

PUBLIC ACCESS SITE MARINA

E3

Smalley and Horseshoe Lakes

Approximate Acres of Water — Smalley Lake: 69; Horseshoe Lake: 20

Best Fishing — Smalley Lake: Bluegill, Perch, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Sunfish

Sparta Lake

Approximate Acres of Water — 31 Best Fishing — Bluegill, Perch, Pumpkinseed, Sunfish, Largemouth Bass

Sylvan Lake

Approximate Acres of Water — 669

Best Fishing — Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Walleye

Lake Bottom — Clay, Marl, Muck

Upper Long Lake

Approximate Acres of Water — 86 Best Fishing — Bluegill, Sunfish, Bullhead, Redear, Largemouth Bass Lake Bottom — Mud

Waldron, Jones, Steinbarger and Tamarack Lakes

Approximate Acres of Water — Waldron Lake: 216; Jones Lake: 114; Steinbarger Lake: 73; Tamarack Lake: 50

Best Fishing — Waldron Lake: Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Perch, Pumpkinseed, Redear

Jones Lake: Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Perch, Pumpkinseed, Redear

Steinbarger Lake: Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Northern Pike, Perch

Tamarack Lake: Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Redear Lake Bottom — Clay, Marl, Muck, Sand

Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area

This program receives federal aid in fish and/or wildlife restoration. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility, or if you desire further information, please write to: Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of Interior, Washington, DC 20240