Fishing in Daviess County, Indiana
County seat: Washington. Population 33,381 (2020 Census).
- 14lake pages
- 18DNR boat ramps
- 2river pages
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How Daviess County shapes up for fishing
The 2020 Census counted 33,381 people in Daviess County; Washington is the seat. Its own DNR lakes carry the number for DNR fisheries district 5 in the state lake layer.
Biggest among 14 county lake pages: Dogwood Lake. County lines hold 18 boat ramps by the DNR access count. Walk-up fishing comes from 2 piers and shore sites in DNR data. The DNR stocking dashboard holds 313 stocking rows for county waters.
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.
Mapped boat and bank access in Daviess 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.
Glacial lakes, pits and reservoirs of Daviess County
| Lake | Area | Max depth | Kind | Ramps | Fish the DNR names |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dogwood Lake | 1,235 acres (NHD outline area) | lake | 2 | bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish | |
| West Boggs Lake | 546 acres (NHD outline area) | lake | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish | |
| Montgomery City Lake | 28 acres (NHD outline area) | lake | 1 | largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish | |
| Big Piney Pond | 4 acres (NHD outline area) | pond | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass | |
| Harris Pond | 1 acres (NHD outline area) | pond | 0 | largemouth bass, channel catfish | |
| Bluebird Pond | pond | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish | ||
| Catfish Pond | pond | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass | ||
| Dove Hollow Lake | lake | 1 | crappie, largemouth bass, redear sunfish | ||
| Goose Pond (Daviess County) | pond | 1 | |||
| Horseshoe Pond | pond | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass | ||
| New Washington Lake | lake | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish | ||
| Retriever Pond | pond | 0 | bluegill, largemouth bass, redear sunfish | ||
| Thomas Baumert Lake | lake | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish | ||
| Wren Pond | pond | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass |
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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Each bar is a tally of lake pages within 50 miles of Washington naming the fish; largemouth bass is first.
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.
Daviess County ponds named here without a guide
A further 7 named waters of Daviess County are rows here rather than pages.
| Water | Kind | Area | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Piney Pond | pond | 1 acres (NHD outline area) | Loogootee |
| Cottontail Pond | pond | Washington | |
| Glendale Marsh | lake | Jasper | |
| Poplar Pond | pond | Washington | |
| Redwing Pond 1 | pond | Washington | |
| Redwing Pond 2 | pond | Washington | |
| Swallow Pond | pond | Washington |
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.
Current to fish in Daviess County
- White RiverNRC Outstanding River (2013 list), 20 DNR access sites, 22 USGS gauges
- East Fork White RiverNRC Outstanding River (2013 list), 15 DNR access sites, 4 USGS gauges
Daviess County USGS stations
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Smothers Creek Nr Plainville, In | 6.23 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:45 pm |
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.
Dated stream stages near Daviess County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White River (IN) above Petersburg | 4.49 ft | – | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:30:00 UTC |
| White River (IN) near Edwardsport | 4.23 ft | 1.19 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:30:00 UTC |
| Smothers Creek (IN) near Plainville | 6.31 ft | – | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:45:00 UTC |
| White River (IN) at Edwardsport | 3.53 ft | 0.964 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:00:00 UTC |
| White River (IN) at Petersburg | 2.4 ft | 2 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:30:00 UTC |
Weather Service values here were read once and keep their own time stamp.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
Daviess County access sites for trailers
- Big Piney Pond boat rampBig Piney Pond, concrete ramp, no fee recorded, Electric only
- Carnahan boat ramp on White RiverWhite River, concrete ramp, ADA access, no fee recorded
- Catfish Pond boat rampCatfish Pond, concrete ramp, no fee recorded, Electric only
- Dogwood Lake South Ramp & Fishing PierDogwood Lake, concrete ramp, fishing pier, ADA access, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded, Speed Limit
- Dogwood Lake boat rampDogwood Lake, concrete ramp, courtesy dock, ADA access, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded, Speed Limit
- Dove Hollow Lake boat rampDove Hollow Lake, concrete ramp, no fee recorded, Electric only
- Elnora boat ramp on White RiverWhite River, concrete ramp, ADA access, no fee recorded
- Flat Rock (Glendale F&W Area) on East Fork White RiverEast Fork White River, concrete ramp, ADA access, no fee recorded
- Goose Pond boat ramp (west)Goose Pond, gravel ramp, no fee recorded, Electric only
- Horseshoe Pond boat rampHorseshoe Pond, concrete ramp, fishing pier, ADA access, no fee recorded, Electric only
- Montgomery City Lake boat rampMontgomery City Lake, gravel ramp, fishing pier, courtesy dock, restrooms, lights, fee: Entry Fee
- Portersville boat ramp on East Fork White RiverEast Fork White River, concrete ramp, no fee recorded
- Redwing Ponds boat ramp on Redwing Pond 1Redwing Pond 1, concrete ramp, no fee recorded, Electric only
- Thomas Baumert Lake boat rampThomas Baumert Lake, boat ramp, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded, Electric only
- Washington City Park Lake on New Washington LakeNew Washington Lake, boat ramp, fishing pier, ADA access, lights, no fee recorded, Electric only
- Washington boat ramp on White RiverWhite River, concrete ramp, ADA access, no fee recorded
- West Boggs Creek Reservoir boat rampWest Boggs Lake, concrete ramp, courtesy dock, ADA access, restrooms, lights, fee: Entry Fee
- Wren Pond boat rampWren Pond, concrete ramp, no fee recorded, Electric only
Shore sites and piers of Daviess County
- Bluebird Pond shore accessBluebird Pond, shore access, no fee recorded, Electric only
- Retriever Pond shore accessRetriever Pond, shore access, no fee recorded, Electric only
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.
Stocking rows for Daviess County lakes
| Year | Month | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Avg length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | October | Bluebird Pond | Channel Catfish | 130 | 8.62 |
| 2026 | October | Dogwood Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,225 | 8.49 |
| 2026 | October | Montgomery City Lake | Channel Catfish | 240 | 8.62 |
| 2026 | October | Thomas Baumert Lake | Channel Catfish | 230 | 8.62 |
| 2026 | October | West Boggs Lake | Channel Catfish | 709 | 8.33 |
| 2025 | October | Bluebird Pond | Channel Catfish | 130 | 10.62 |
| 2025 | October | Dogwood Lake | Channel Catfish | 3,712 | 7.87 |
| 2025 | Multiple | West Boggs Lake | Channel Catfish | 3,110 | 7.95 |
| 2024 | October | Montgomery City Lake | Channel Catfish | 316 | 8.64 |
| 2024 | October | Thomas Baumert Lake | Channel Catfish | 303 | 8.64 |
| 2024 | September | Bluebird Pond | Channel Catfish | 130 | 9.09 |
| 2023 | October | Bluebird Pond | Channel Catfish | 130 | 10.65 |
| 2023 | October | West Boggs Lake | Channel Catfish | 3,110 | 8.44 |
| 2023 | Multiple | Dogwood Lake | Channel Catfish | 34,564 | 5.1 |
| 2022 | October | Bluebird Pond | Channel Catfish | 130 | 10.2 |
| 2022 | October | Dogwood Lake | Channel Catfish | 743 | 7.31 |
| 2022 | October | Montgomery City Lake | Channel Catfish | 633 | 5.91 |
| 2022 | October | Thomas Baumert Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,210 | 6.46 |
| 2022 | October | West Boggs Lake | Channel Catfish | 530 | 7.31 |
| 2021 | October | Bluebird Pond | Channel Catfish | 130 | 11.79 |
| 2021 | October | West Boggs Lake | Channel Catfish | 2,488 | 10.1 |
| 2021 | March | Dove Hollow Lake | Bluegill | 14,250 | 1.9 |
| 2021 | March | Dove Hollow Lake | Channel Catfish | 3,800 | 2.5 |
| 2021 | March | Dove Hollow Lake | Largemouth Bass | 3,800 | 3.29 |
| 2021 | March | Dove Hollow Lake | Redear Sunfish | 4,750 | 1.4 |
| 2021 | Multiple | Dogwood Lake | Channel Catfish | 3,035 | 9.69 |
| 2021 | Multiple | Dove Hollow Lake | Black Crappie | 4,254 | 1.87 |
| 2020 | October | Montgomery City Lake | Channel Catfish | 633 | 8.0 |
| 2020 | September | Bluebird Pond | Channel Catfish | 130 | 10.44 |
| 2020 | September | Thomas Baumert Lake | Channel Catfish | 605 | 8.99 |
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.
The 2026-27 guide rows for Daviess County
Waters of Daviess County follow the statewide rows below unless the guide names them as a special regulation water. Plan on $23 for a resident annual license, or $60 if you live outside Indiana.
| 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) |
Daviess County lakes the guide singles out (2)
| Water (counties) | Species | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Dogwood Lake (Daviess) | Crappie | 9-inch minimum size |
| Montgomery City Park Lake (Daviess) | Largemouth Bass | Bass from 12 to 15 inches may not be harvested; the daily bag limit applies to bass under 12 inches and over 15 inches |
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.
Hoosier record holders close to Daviess County
Daviess County holds no state record, so the closest record waters follow.
| Species | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smallmouth Bass | 8 lb. 3.6 oz. | Monroe Lake | Monroe County | 2024 |
| Striped Bass | 40 lb. 3.8 oz. | Blue River (Crawford and Harrison Counties) | Harrison County | 2023 |
| Blue Catfish | 104 lb. | Ohio River | not printed | 1999 |
| Longnose Gar | 23 lb. 12.2 oz. | Ohio River | Floyd County | 2025 |
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.
Shops and hired help in Daviess County
Minnows, line and lures in Daviess County
- Genesis Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Montgomery
- Glendale Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Montgomery
Paid fishing trips in Daviess County
- Broken Nock Bowfishingfishing guide, (812) 699-9607
- Dixon Guide Servicefishing guide, (317) 908-8984
- FightNFliesfishing guide, (317) 847-9141
- Go Fishin' with Clint, LLCfishing guide, (217) 369-4042
- Humes Outdoorsfishing guide, (812) 870-8359
- Mike's Fly Fishing Guide Servicefishing guide, (219) 765-3860
- Smallmouth Pursuit Guide Cofishing guide, (765) 366-7796
- Sweet Creek Smallmouthfishing guide, (765) 366-0407
- Two Forks Guide Service, LLCfishing guide, (317) 223-6590
- White River Guide Servicefishing guide, (317) 691-7388
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.
Next stops from Daviess County
Communities inside Daviess County
- Washingtonpop. 12,017
- Odonpop. 1,397
The counties ringing Daviess County
- Martin County15 miles east
- Knox County19 miles west
- Pike County22 miles south
- Greene County25 miles north
A Piscifun lineup sized for Daviess County
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Lakes and stream bends close to Daviess County, in pictures
Photo: Chris Rycroft, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Scott Weingart, CC BY 2.0
Photo: adstarkel, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Erica Fischer, CC BY 2.0
Common questions for Daviess County anglers
Where can a trailered boat be launched in Daviess County?
You can pick from 18 boat ramps, Big Piney Pond boat ramp among them.
Which lake in Daviess County maps the largest?
Dogwood Lake, at 1,235 acres (NHD outline area).
Which fish live in the lakes around Daviess County, per the DNR?
Largemouth bass leads the count of lake pages within 50 miles, then bluegill, redear sunfish and catfish; the DNR names them on lake and access records.
Which listed shops in Daviess County carry fishing gear?
The listings hold 2 here, such as Genesis Outdoors.
Where is Daviess County county business done?
Courthouse business happens in Washington.
What does the DNR charge to fish Daviess County water?
Plan on $23 for a resident annual license, or $60 if you live outside Indiana.
Which counties border Daviess County?
Martin County, Knox County and Pike County sit closest on the map.
Which district does the DNR lake layer give Daviess County?
The DNR lake layer gives the county's own lakes the number for DNR fisheries district 5.
Where can kids fish without a boat in Daviess County?
The DNR layer lists 2 piers and shore sites, such as Bluebird Pond shore access.
Does the fishing guide name Daviess County lakes separately?
The guide lists 2 special regulation waters in this county, starting with Dogwood Lake; the table above shows each.
Which fish did the DNR release into Daviess County lately?
The DNR dashboard carries 313 rows; the newest lists 1,225 Channel Catfish, 8.49 in average (October 2026) in Dogwood Lake.
Give a sunrise to the lakes of Daviess County
Each ramp page opens with a directions link.