Fishing in Boone County, Indiana
County seat: Lebanon. Population 70,812 (2020 Census).
- 1lake pages
- 2DNR boat ramps
- 4river pages
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Boone County fishing, sized up
Seat: Lebanon. People: 70,812, per the 2020 Census tally for Boone County. DNR lake records here list DNR fisheries district 4.
A trailer can splash at 2 boat ramps in the county, per DNR records. Without a boat, 3 piers and shore sites are on the DNR list. County water appears in 73 stocking rows of the DNR stocking data.
Census 2020 population; Indiana DNR public lakes layer (county, owner, fisheries district number, location text), read November 5, 2026. Indiana DNR Fishing Access Sites layer (shown on the DNR Where to Fish map; attributes as recorded, blank where not recorded), read November 5, 2026. Indiana DNR fish stocking dashboard (year, month, water, species, number and average length as listed; repeat stockings summed by DNR), read November 5, 2026.
Hoosier access pins for Boone County
Indiana DNR Fishing Access Sites layer (shown on the DNR Where to Fish map; attributes as recorded, blank where not recorded), read November 5, 2026. Lake points from the Indiana DNR public lakes layer (county, owner, fisheries district number, location text), read November 5, 2026.
Ponds, pits and lakes across Boone County
| Lake | Area | Max depth | Kind | Ramps | Fish the DNR names |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boones Pond | pond | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish |
Measured from Lebanon, the lakes below sit outside Boone County.
| Lake | From Lebanon | Area | Max depth | Kind | Ramps | Fish the DNR names |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Park Pond | 14 miles southeast | pond | 0 | bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish | ||
| Lilly Pond | 14 miles southeast | pond | 0 | catfish, bluegill, largemouth bass | ||
| Coxhall Gardens Park Pond | 14 miles east | pond | 0 | |||
| Eagle Creek Reservoir | 15 miles southeast | 1,128 acres (NHD outline area) | reservoir | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, common carp | |
| Meadowlar Park Pond | 17 miles east | pond | 0 | channel catfish, catfish | ||
| Central Park Pond | 17 miles east | pond | 0 | bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish |
Acres are the NHD outline area of the mapped lake (USGS National Hydrography Dataset via IndianaMap), not a DNR survey figure. Maximum depths from DNR Status & Trends surveys with the survey year. Indiana DNR Fishing Access Sites layer (shown on the DNR Where to Fish map; attributes as recorded, blank where not recorded), read November 5, 2026.
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Within 50 miles of Lebanon, largemouth bass shows up on more lake pages than any other species.
Species the DNR names on lakes and access sites, the DNR stocking dashboard and record list, counted per lake page within 50 miles; not a survey of fish numbers.
The rest of the Boone County lake list
2 smaller named waters of Boone County round out the county list.
| Water | Kind | Area | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abner Longley Park Pond | pond | Lebanon | |
| Hot Pond | pond | Lebanon |
Indiana DNR public lakes layer (county, owner, fisheries district number, location text), read November 5, 2026. Acres are the NHD outline area of the mapped lake (USGS National Hydrography Dataset via IndianaMap), not a DNR survey figure.
Rivers that cross Boone County
- Eagle Creek (Boone and Hamilton Counties)DNR put-and-take salmonid stream, 1 DNR access site, 6 USGS gauges
- Big Walnut CreekNRC Outstanding River (2013 list), 2 USGS gauges
- Sugar Creek (Boone and Clinton Counties)NRC Outstanding River (2013 list), 1 DNR access site, 2 USGS gauges
- Big Raccoon Creek3 USGS gauges
Current gauge data for Boone County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Eagle Creek At Zionsville, In | 10 cfs, 1.29 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:45 pm |
| Prairie Creek Near Lebanon, In | 8 cfs, 5.01 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 12:34 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
NHD named flowlines (mapped length in Indiana), DNR Outstanding River, put-and-take and salmonid stream lists, DNR access sites and USGS gauges (live readings); read November 5, 2026.
Weather Service stage snapshots for Boone County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Praire Creek (IN) near Lebanon | 5.03 ft | 0.0012 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 20:15:00 UTC |
| School Branch (IN) near Brownsburg | 1.57 ft | – | not defined | 2026-11-05 19:15:00 UTC |
| Eagle Creek (IN) at Zionsville | 1.48 ft | 0.0208 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:45:00 UTC |
| School Branch (IN) near Brownsburg | 0.86 ft | – | not defined | 2026-11-05 20:00:00 UTC |
| Eagle Creek (IN) near Traders Point | 4.74 ft | – | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:30:00 UTC |
Copied once from the Weather Service, each reading with its time.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
Recorded ramps in Boone County
- Boone's Pond boat rampBoones Pond, concrete ramp, courtesy dock, ADA access, no fee recorded, Electric only
- Elm Street Green Eagle Creek boat rampEagle Creek (Boone and Hamilton Counties), concrete ramp, restrooms, no fee recorded
Boone County spots for boatless anglers
- Hot Pond shore accessHot Pond, shore access, restrooms, no fee recorded
- Lions Club Park Eagle CreekEagle Creek (Boone and Hamilton Counties), shore access, restrooms, no fee recorded
- Abner Longley Park LakeAbner Longley Park Pond, shore access, restrooms, no fee recorded
Indiana DNR Fishing Access Sites layer (shown on the DNR Where to Fish map; attributes as recorded, blank where not recorded), read November 5, 2026.
Fish released into Boone County water
| Year | Month | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Avg length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | October | Boones Pond | Bluegill | 11,000 | 1.1 |
| 2025 | November | Boones Pond | Brown Trout | 600 | 7.94 |
| 2025 | November | Eagle Creek (Boone and Hamilton Counties) | Rainbow Trout | 1,240 | |
| 2025 | October | Boones Pond | Bluegill | 13,841 | 1.4 |
| 2025 | October | Boones Pond | Channel Catfish | 330 | 7.8 |
| 2024 | November | Boones Pond | Brown Trout | 550 | 8.41 |
| 2024 | November | Boones Pond | Channel Catfish | 330 | 7.7 |
| 2024 | November | Eagle Creek (Boone and Hamilton Counties) | Rainbow Trout | 1,200 | |
| 2024 | October | Boones Pond | Black Crappie | 2,500 | 2.38 |
| 2023 | November | Boones Pond | Brown Trout | 550 | 8.04 |
| 2023 | November | Eagle Creek (Boone and Hamilton Counties) | Rainbow Trout | 950 | |
| 2023 | October | Boones Pond | Channel Catfish | 330 | 8.4 |
| 2022 | November | Eagle Creek (Boone and Hamilton Counties) | Rainbow Trout | 1,200 | 11.0 |
| 2022 | September | Boones Pond | Channel Catfish | 660 | 10.9 |
| 2021 | November | Eagle Creek (Boone and Hamilton Counties) | Rainbow Trout | 1,400 | 11.0 |
| 2021 | September | Boones Pond | Channel Catfish | 528 | 10.18 |
| 2020 | November | Eagle Creek (Boone and Hamilton Counties) | Rainbow Trout | 1,232 | 11.0 |
| 2020 | September | Boones Pond | Channel Catfish | 662 | 12.1 |
| 2019 | November | Eagle Creek (Boone and Hamilton Counties) | Rainbow Trout | 1,200 | 11.0 |
| 2019 | October | Boones Pond | Channel Catfish | 660 | 11.5 |
| 2018 | November | Eagle Creek (Boone and Hamilton Counties) | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 10.0 |
| 2018 | September | Boones Pond | Channel Catfish | 660 | 11.1 |
| 2017 | November | Boones Pond | Channel Catfish | 660 | 10.0 |
| 2016 | September | Boones Pond | Channel Catfish | 660 | 11.6 |
| 2015 | October | Boones Pond | Channel Catfish | 660 | 11.3 |
| 2015 | September | Boones Pond | Yellow Perch | 810 | 5.5 |
| 2014 | October | Boones Pond | Channel Catfish | 660 | 11.77 |
| 2013 | September | Boones Pond | Channel Catfish | 660 | 10.8 |
| 2012 | September | Boones Pond | Channel Catfish | 660 | 11.6 |
| 2011 | September | Boones Pond | Channel Catfish | 713 | 11.0 |
Where the 2026 trout plan reaches Boone County
| Season | Water as printed | Location | Planned number | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall (mid-to-late October) | Boones Pond | 550 | Brown Trout |
Indiana DNR fish stocking dashboard (year, month, water, species, number and average length as listed; repeat stockings summed by DNR), read November 5, 2026; rows reach the county through the water they name. Indiana DNR 2026 trout stocking plan (updated March 20, 2026; planned targets, DNR notes actual numbers may vary), read November 5, 2026.
Stringer math for Boone County anglers
Statewide rows hold across Boone County; named special waters follow the table. Hoosiers 18 and up pay $23 for a year of fishing; anglers from other states pay $60.
| Species | Daily limit | Size limit |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | Unlimited | no size limit |
| Redear Sunfish | 25 | no size limit |
| Black Bass: largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass (in lakes) | 5, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass | 14 inches |
| Black Bass: largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass (in rivers and streams) | 5, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass | No fish 12 to 15 inches may be kept, and no more than two fish over 15 inches may be kept |
| Black Bass: largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass (in Lake Michigan) | 3, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass | 14 inches |
| Yellow Bass | Unlimited | no size limit |
| White Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass | 12, any combination of white bass or hybrid striped bass | No more than two fish may exceed 17 inches |
| Striped Bass | 2 | no size limit |
| Rock Bass | 25 | no size limit |
| Crappie | 25 | no size limit |
| Walleye, Walleye-Sauger Hybrid (Saugeye), Sauger | 6, any combination of walleye, walleye-sauger hybrid, and sauger | For walleye: 14 inches south of SR 26; 16 inches north of SR 26 For sauger and saugeye: No size limit |
| Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge | 1 muskellunge or 1 tiger muskellunge | 36 inches |
| Northern Pike | 3 | 24 inches; no more than one 30 inches or longer |
| Yellow Perch | Unlimited (15 only on Lake Michigan) | no size limit |
| Catfish: Channel, Blue, Flathead (in rivers and streams) | Unlimited | 13 inches; not more than one blue catfish that’s at least 35 inches, one flathead catfish at least 35 inches, and one channel catfish at least 28 inches or longer may be kept |
| Catfish: Channel, Blue, Flathead (in lakes) | 10 | None; not more than one blue catfish that’s at least 35 inches, one flathead catfish at least 35 inches, and one channel catfish at least 28 inches or longer may be kept |
| Bullhead | Unlimited | no size limit |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | Unlimited | 25 inches (fork length) |
Guide entries naming Boone County lakes (1)
| Water (counties) | Species | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar Creek (Montgomery, Parke, Boone, Clinton, Tipton) | Black Bass | 20-inch minimum size limit and one fish daily bag limit |
Statewide limits as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026. Special regulation waters as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026. Indiana DNR license fees (license year April 1 to March 31), read November 5, 2026.
Record-book catches near Boone County
No record on the DNR list names Boone County, so the record waters within 70 miles are shown.
| Species | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Bass | 2 lb. 15 oz. | Morse Reservoir | Hamilton County | 2000 |
| Rock Bass | 3 lb. | Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties) | Hancock County | 1969 |
| Bighead Carp | 53 lb. 8 oz. | White River | Pike County | 2000 |
| Flathead Catfish | 79 lb. 8 oz. | White River | Lawrence County | 1966 |
Indiana DNR Indiana Record Fish Program list (keeper: Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife (Indiana Record Fish Program); angler names left off here), read November 5, 2026.
Boone County shops, marinas and guides
Shops listed for Boone County
- Wild Cat Creek Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Zionsville
- Dick's Sporting Goods Whitestownsporting goods store, Whitestown
Yellow Pages, chain store and DNR property listings; the DNR licensed fishing guide list and tourism bureau charter listings (matched by the waters they list or their county), read November 5, 2026.
Close to Boone County
Boone County town guides
- Zionsvillepop. 30,603
- Lebanonpop. 16,662
- Whitestownpop. 10,178
- Thorntownpop. 1,432
Bordering counties of Boone County
- Clinton County18 miles north
- Hendricks County20 miles south
- Montgomery County22 miles west
- Hamilton County24 miles east
Piscifun reels to toss in the boat for Boone County
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Telling Boone County fish apart from a photo
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: robposse, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Questions on Boone County water
Where does a bass boat go in across Boone County?
The DNR count is 2 boat ramps; Boone's Pond boat ramp is one of them.
Which paged lake in Boone County covers the most ground?
No lake guide falls inside; West Park Pond, 14 miles away, is the closest.
What might a visiting angler target in Boone County?
Largemouth bass leads the count of lake pages within 50 miles, then bluegill, channel catfish and redear sunfish; the DNR names them on lake and access records.
Is there a bait shop listed in Boone County?
Wild Cat Creek Outfitters heads a county list of 2.
In which town does Boone County keep its seat?
Lebanon holds the courthouse.
What license does Boone County fishing call for?
Hoosiers 18 and up pay $23 for a year of fishing; anglers from other states pay $60.
Which counties lie just past Boone County?
Measured centre to centre, Clinton County, Hendricks County and Montgomery County are nearest.
What district number do Boone County lakes carry?
The DNR lake layer gives the county's own lakes the number for DNR fisheries district 4.
Does Boone County have a public fishing pier?
The DNR layer lists 3 piers and shore sites, such as Hot Pond shore access.
Which special water entries reach Boone County?
The guide lists 1 special regulation water in this county, starting with Sugar Creek; the table above shows each.
Has the DNR released fish into Boone County water?
The DNR dashboard carries 73 rows; the newest lists 11,000 Bluegill, 1.1 in average (October 2026) in Boones Pond.
Spend a Saturday on Boone County water
Lake pages carry ramps, survey depths and guide rules.