Ortleib Lake Fishing near Nashville, Indiana

• Overview

  Ortleib Lake is set in Brown County, Indiana. Land around it is open valley. Small at around 2 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. On size it sits at the modest end of our Brown County list. Nashville is the closest place, 5.8 miles off. The big place round here is Indianapolis, 43 miles distant. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Ortleib Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Reported across Brown County: bluegill, channel catfish and green sunfish. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Read Ortleib Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 74°F in July and bottoms out near 28°F in January. Neither winter nor summer shuts things down for long. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. It sets the rhythm of the year at Ortleib Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. The nearest alternative is Silver Hook Lake, 1.2 miles out. Confirm access to Ortleib Lake locally before you travel.