Smith Lake in Brown County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Smith Lake is a Brown County water, in Indiana. It sits in mixed woodland country. Small at around 11 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Supplies mean a trip to Nashville, 5.2 miles off. Cordry Sweetwater Lakes is 5.7 miles and Princes Lakes 8.3 miles. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Smith Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Species logged across Brown County include bluegill, channel catfish, green sunfish, longear sunfish and white crappie. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Fish Smith Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 74°F; the cold one sits at 27°F. Fishing continues through most of the calendar, with quiet spells rather than closures. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Smith Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Failing this one, try Little Fox Lake, 0.2 miles away. Signs at Smith Lake carry more weight than any list.