Indiana Fishing Regulations
Not legal advice. Compiled from official government summaries. Regulations change each year — always check the official source before relying.
General Rules (barbless hooks are the #1 cause of fines)
- ⚠ Possession limit is two times the daily bag limit (does not apply to fish processed and stored at primary residence).
- ⚠ Max 3 poles or hand lines at a time; each line max 3 hooks or lures.
- ⚠ Snagging is illegal from public waters; all paddlefish caught with sport gear must be released.
- ⚠ Endangered species (cisco, lake sturgeon, bantam sunfish, etc.) may not be taken.
- ⚠ Exotic species (bighead/silver carp, round goby, snakehead, etc.) must be killed immediately if caught.
- ⚠ Limb lines: max 10, tagged; trot lines: max 1 with 50 hooks.
Species Limits
| Species | Limit | Size / Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass | 5/day combined (lakes) | Min 14 in lakes; rivers: no 12-15 in kept, max 2 over 15 in |
| Walleye, sauger, saugeye | 6 combined | 14 in min south of SR 26; 16 in min north (lake exceptions) |
| Channel catfish | 5/day | |
| Crappie | 25 combined | |
| Bluegill, redear sunfish & other sunfish | 25 combined | |
| Muskellunge | 1/day | Min 36 in (some waters 42 in) |
| Northern pike | 5/day | Min 24 in |
| Trout | 5/day | |
| Paddlefish (snagging) | 1/day (seasonal) | |
| Yellow perch & other rough fish | No limit |
Waterbody-Specific Rules
Fidler Pond, Failing Lake, Flat Fork Creek Park ponds
- 5 channel catfish/day; 2 largemouth bass/day (18 in min); 15 bluegill/redear/crappie combined.
Bass Lake, Wolf Lake
- Walleye min 14 in.
Lake George
- Walleye min 15 in.
Wall Lake
- Walleye min 16 in, 2/day.
Lake Michigan
- Salmon/trout: 5/day combined (chinook, coho, lake trout, steelhead); special hook regs; smelt Mar 1 - May 30.
Ohio River
- Special Ohio River regs apply (walleye, sauger); no trotlines within 200 yards of dams.
Monroe Lake
- Black bass: 14 in minimum.
Patoka Lake
- Black bass: 14 in minimum; walleye: 16 in minimum.
Salamonie Lake
- Muskellunge: 36 in minimum.
Mississinewa Lake
- Muskellunge: 36 in minimum.
Brookville Lake
- Muskellunge: 36 in minimum; walleye 16 in minimum.
Lake Tippecanoe
- Black bass: 14 in minimum; walleye 16 in minimum.
Freeman Lake
- Black bass: 12-15 in slot, max 2 over 15 in.
Hardy Lake
- Black bass: 12-15 in slot, max 2 over 15 in.
Seasons
Most species open year-round; paddlefish snagging spring season.
Licence Fees
Indiana fishing license required (resident/non-resident); fees per IN DNR.
Edition: 2026 Indiana Fishing Regulations (DNR) · Effective: 2026 season · Source: Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources (in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife)
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