Rider Lake Fishing near Hanover, Indiana

• Overview

  The Jefferson County end of Indiana holds Rider Lake. Everything around it is open valley. At 5 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Jefferson County. Hanover is the closest place, 2.1 miles off. The big place round here is Louisville, 37 miles distant. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Rider Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Jefferson County records list brindled madtom, fantail darter, golden redhorse, johnny darter and longear sunfish among the fish reported. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. On Rider Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 76°F, with January the cold end at about 30°F. Spring and autumn are the strongest, but nothing is truly closed. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. At Rider Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. I V West Lake sits 7.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Ask locally about Rider Lake if anything is unclear.