Patoka Lake Fishing Guide, Dubois County, Indiana

• Overview

  Set in Dubois County, Indiana, this is Patoka Lake. It stands 541 feet above sea level. Around 14.3 sq miles of open water: conditions change from one end to the other. The outline measures near 98 miles, so a boat opens up water the bank never reaches. Nothing else we list in Dubois County covers more water. The town to know is French Lick, 8.8 miles out. Paoli is 14 miles away, with Jasper at 15 miles. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Patoka Lake

  Depth is on record at 52 ft. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. County-wide records name longear sunfish, bluegill, green sunfish and white crappie. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. The shape of Patoka Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 76°F, the coldest about 30°F. Ice comes and goes from one year to the next. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. The season on Patoka Lake follows the weather closely. Falling water concentrates fish into the deeper parts.

• Tackle & Baits

  Being publicly held, the water is generally open for fishing. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. There are toilets half a mile off. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Olinger Lake, 2.1 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Where Patoka Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.