Saddle Lake in Adams County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  In Indiana, Saddle Lake belongs to Adams County. The ground around here is mixed forest. Small at around 21 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The nearest town is Decatur, 2.5 miles away. Fort Wayne is the closest city, 22 miles away. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish. The shoreline gives more room than the map suggests.

• Where to Fish on Saddle Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Species logged across Adams County include johnny darter, bluegill, channel catfish and green sunfish. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Fish Saddle Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 24°F to 73°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. After mid March the shallows warm and the fish move up. The season between ice runs from about mid March to late December. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. At Saddle Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. For a change of water, Kunkel Lake is 14 miles distant. Confirm before you fish Saddle Lake.