Bear Lake, Indiana: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Set in Noble County, Indiana, this is Bear Lake. The country here is rolling bush. It runs to roughly 136 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. With about 2.3 miles of edge, you can try several depths in one session. It ranks high for size among our Noble County listings. Tri-Lakes is the closest place, 6.6 miles off. Albion follows at 7 miles, then North Webster at 9.3 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Bear Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Across Noble County, recorded fish include bluegill, largemouth bass, warmouth, pumpkinseed and logperch. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Bear Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 72°F in July and bottoms out near 22°F in January. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around late March. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about late March until roughly late December. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Time your trip to Bear Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Launch at Bear Lake Public Access, half a mile from the water. There is somewhere to leave the car, half a mile off. There is a campsite half a mile from the water. There are toilets half a mile off. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Sort the permit out before you load the car. The nearest alternative is Little Cub Lake, 0.6 miles out. Confirm before you fish Bear Lake.