Perry Lake in Henry County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Henry County entry here is Perry Lake, in Indiana. The ground around here is rolling bush. At 3 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. It is a small entry by Henry County standards. Knightstown is the closest town at 6.6 miles. Greenfield follows at 10 miles, then Pendleton at 12 miles. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Perry Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Records held for Henry County cover bluegill, orangethroat darter, rainbow darter, rock bass and longear sunfish. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Perry Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 25°F and July at about 73°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid March. Break-up sits around mid March on average, with the water closing again about late December. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. That is the shape of the year on Perry Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Castle Lake sits 5.4 miles off and takes the overflow. Confirm before you fish Perry Lake.