Ice Fishing in Indiana
13 Indiana lakes hold species targeted through the ice, and every one carries an A–F water quality grade from EPA and state agency sampling. Below: what swims where, winter depths and techniques by species, and the lakes that rank highest on water quality.
Updated 2026-07-20T13:08:09.728Z · Ice thickness guidelines →
What to Target Through the Ice in Indiana
Winter holding depth and technique by species, with how many Indiana lakes hold each.
| Species | Lakes | Winter depth | Where they hold | Technique |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 13 | 8–20 ft | basin holes and deep weed edges | tungsten ice jigs with waxworms/plastics |
| Crappie | 8 | 10–25 ft | basin and deep brush | tungsten jigs & minnows at dusk |
| Walleye | 5 | 8–25 ft | first breaks off structure, dusk feeding windows | jigging spoons and rattle baits, deadstick minnows |
| Northern Pike | 4 | 6–20 ft | weed edges and flats | tip-ups with large shiners/suckers |
| Yellow Perch | 1 | 15–35 ft | deep flats and basin | tungsten jigs and small spoons — a top ice target |
Indiana Ice-Fishing Lakes by Water Quality
Ranked by A–F grade, then by how many ice-target species the lake holds.
| # | Lake | County | Grade | Ice species | Max depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake George | Steuben | B | 2 | — |
| 2 | Dewart Lake | Kosciusko | B | 2 | — |
| 3 | Big Chapman Lake | Kosciusko | C | 2 | — |
| 4 | Syracuse Lake | Kosciusko | C | 2 | — |
| 5 | Lost Lake | Marshall | D | 4 | — |
| 6 | Lake Wawasee | Kosciusko | D | 4 | — |
| 7 | Monroe Lake | Monroe | D | 3 | — |
| 8 | Koontz Lake | Starke | D | 2 | — |
| 9 | Winona Lake | Kosciusko | F | 3 | — |
| 10 | Pike Lake | Kosciusko | F | 3 | — |
| 11 | Beaver Dam Lake | Kosciusko | F | 2 | — |
| 12 | Yellow Creek Lake | Kosciusko | F | 1 | — |
| 13 | Big Barbee Lake | Kosciusko | F | 1 | — |
Indiana Fishing Licence
Ice fishing uses the same licence as open water in Indiana. A resident annual licence is $23, non-resident $60 (Indiana adds a $1 retail or $3 online transaction fee at purchase.). Fish-house tagging and shelter-removal deadlines are separate rules — check Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
We do not measure ice
Nothing on this page tells you whether the ice is safe. We hold no thickness data for any lake and never estimate it. Agency guidance is that no ice is ever completely safe, and that thickness varies widely across a single lake. Read the ice thickness guidelines, measure as you go, and call a local bait shop for current conditions.
Where to stay for ice fishing in Indiana
Cabins, lodges, and rentals near Indiana's hard-water lakes — live availability and prices for your ice-fishing trip.
Top-rated places to stay near Indiana ice-fishing lakes
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
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Sources: state DNR fish surveys; EPA Water Quality Portal for grades.