Echo Lake in Bartholomew County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Set in Bartholomew County, Echo Lake is an Indiana water. This is farm and woodlot country. Small at around 13 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Supplies mean a trip to Columbus, 11 miles off. Further out sit Seymour (12 miles) and Nashville (13 miles). Nearest other option: Lutheran Lake at 1.1 miles, Noblitt Lake 2.5 miles, Treaty Line Pond at 4.5 miles, Grandview Lake 4.6 miles and Goodwin Lake at 4.8 miles. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Echo Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Records held for Bartholomew County cover longear sunfish, orangethroat darter, bluegill and golden redhorse. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. At Echo Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 28°F in January to roughly 75°F in July. Temperature moves within a narrow band, and so does the fishing. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. Time your trip to Echo Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. For the panfish, a small hook, a float and a piece of worm outfish everything fancy. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Lutheran Lake sits 1.1 miles off and takes the overflow. For Echo Lake in particular, ask before you travel.