Santa Claus Lake, Indiana: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Santa Claus Lake stands in Spencer County, Indiana. It sits in rolling hill country. It covers about 8 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. It is a small entry by Spencer County standards. Santa Claus lies 1.6 miles from the water. The big place round here is Evansville, 35 miles distant. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Santa Claus Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Spencer County records list bluegill, white crappie and longear sunfish among the fish reported. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. At Santa Claus Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 77°F, with January the cold end at about 31°F. Whether it freezes depends on the year. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Santa Claus Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. Catfish want bait on the bottom: cut bait or worms, a simple running rig, and patience after dark. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. If the gate is shut, Noel Lake at 1.1 miles is the nearest alternative. Where Santa Claus Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.