Hunt Lake in LaPorte County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Hunt Lake lies in LaPorte County, in Indiana. It lies 761 feet above sea level. At about 43 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. Hudson Lake lies 3.7 miles from the water. For a city, South Bend is 16 miles off. Others close at hand: Finger Lake within 1.2 miles, 1.9 miles out stands Clear Lake, Silver Lake within 2.7 miles, 3.8 miles out stands Hudson Lake and Hog Lake within 4.7 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Hunt Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Survey and observation records for LaPorte County include shortnose cisco, alewife, rainbow smelt, rainbow trout and yellow perch. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Work Hunt Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 73°F in July and bottom out at 23°F in January. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around late March. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late March and starts locking again about late December. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Plan any trip to Hunt Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Myrna J. Newgent Preserve runs up to the bank here, which usually means extra restrictions. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, Finger Lake at 1.2 miles is the nearest alternative. The position on Hunt Lake is worth confirming on the day.