Little Crooked Lake near Tri-Lakes: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  The Whitley County entry here is Little Crooked Lake, in Indiana. The surface lies 909 feet up. It covers about 10 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. The nearest place of any size is Tri-Lakes, 1.6 miles away. The big place round here is Fort Wayne, 20 miles distant. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Little Crooked Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. County-wide records name bluegill, largemouth bass and pumpkinseed. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Little Crooked Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 72°F for July and 22°F for January. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Ice-out usually falls in late March, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Expect the water usable from around late March until roughly late December. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Little Crooked Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. The water borders Crooked Lake Nature Preserve, so expect the reserve rules to apply. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. If the gate is shut, Catfish Lake at 0.5 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the current arrangement for Little Crooked Lake.