Thompson Lake Fishing Guide, Bartholomew County, Indiana

• Overview

  You will find Thompson Lake in Bartholomew County, Indiana. This is open valley country. Surface area runs to about 5 acres — small enough to read in one session. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Bartholomew County. Nearest town is Cordry Sweetwater Lakes, 6.6 miles off. The big place round here is Indianapolis, 39 miles distant. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Thompson 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. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. County-wide records name longear sunfish, orangethroat darter, bluegill and golden redhorse. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Thompson Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 28°F in January up to 74°F in July. The swings are modest, so patterns change slowly. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Thompson Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. Bluegill and other panfish take small jigs or worms under a float near any cover. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Jean Williamson Lake at 0.6 miles is the sensible second choice. For Thompson Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.