Fishing in Dearborn County, Indiana
County seat: Lawrenceburg. Population 50,679 (2020 Census).
- 1lake pages
- 2DNR boat ramps
- 3river pages
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Dearborn County for the angler, in short
At the 2020 count Dearborn County had 50,679 residents, with county offices in Lawrenceburg. Lakes inside the county show DNR fisheries district 5 in DNR data. Kentucky lies across the Ohio from Dearborn County; DNR data lists 1 access site on this side.
The DNR Fishing Access Sites layer places 2 boat ramps inside the county. DNR access data also shows 1 pier or shore site. DNR stocking data lists 104 stocking rows for lakes and streams here.
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.
Every DNR access point across Dearborn County, pinned
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.
The paged lakes of Dearborn County
| Lake | Area | Max depth | Kind | Ramps | Fish the DNR names |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schnebelt Pond | pond | 0 | catfish, bluegill, largemouth bass |
Lake pages just past Dearborn County follow, with miles from Lawrenceburg.
| Lake | From Lawrenceburg | Area | Max depth | Kind | Ramps | Fish the DNR names |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Versailles Lake | 20 miles west | 178 acres (NHD outline area) | lake | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, common carp | |
| Bischoff Reservoir | 21 miles northwest | 192 acres (NHD outline area) | reservoir | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish | |
| Mollenkramer Reservoir | 21 miles northwest | 37 acres (NHD outline area) | reservoir | 1 | channel catfish, redear sunfish, largemouth bass | |
| Hahn Reservoir | 22 miles northwest | 7 acres (NHD outline area) | reservoir | 0 | channel catfish, largemouth bass, redear sunfish | |
| Feller Reservoir | 22 miles northwest | 6 acres (NHD outline area) | reservoir | 0 | channel catfish | |
| Oser Reservoir | 22 miles northwest | 13 acres (NHD outline area) | reservoir | 0 | channel catfish, 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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The Ohio River page has the river limits; here are the county's access sites.
- Ratliff Landing Tanners Creek on Ohio RiverOhio River, concrete ramp, courtesy dock, lights, no fee recorded
The guide's river bass note for the Ohio River counties reads: All rivers and streams in Posey, Vanderburgh, Warrick, Spencer, Perry, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Clark, Jefferson, Switzerland, Ohio, and Dearborn counties (with the exception of the Blue River, where the slot limit applies in Crawford, Harrison, and Washington counties).
Ohio River rows and reciprocity as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), 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.
Most-named fish on water close to Dearborn County
Bars count lake guides within 50 miles of Lawrenceburg where the DNR names each fish; largemouth bass comes up most.
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.
Smaller lakes on the Dearborn County roll
These 4 Dearborn County waters are listed until the DNR publishes more on them.
| Water | Kind | Area | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden Valley Lake | lake | 130 acres (NHD outline area) | Hidden Valley |
| Amber Lake | lake | Lawrenceburg | |
| Russel Pond | pond | Milan | |
| Simon Lake | lake | Lawrenceburg |
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.
Dearborn County creeks with a guide
- Whitewater RiverNRC Outstanding River (2013 list), 1 DNR access site, 3 USGS gauges
- Laughery CreekNRC Outstanding River (2013 list)
- Tanners Creek1 USGS gauge
Other named creeks through Dearborn County (3)
- Hogan Creek0.4 mi of mapped NHD line in Indiana
- North Hogan Creek21.6 mi of mapped NHD line in Indiana
- South Hogan Creek24.9 mi of mapped NHD line in Indiana
Dearborn County stream gauges, live
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Tanners Creek At Lawrenceburg, In | 31.99 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.
Stage and discharge notes by Dearborn County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Miami River at Miamitown | 1.62 ft | 1.58 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:45:00 UTC |
| Whitewater River at Brookville | 3.86 ft | 1.16 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:45:00 UTC |
| Ohio River at Markland Lower | 14.83 ft | 56.1 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:45:00 UTC |
| East Fork Whitewater River below Brookville Lake | 4.35 ft | 0.703 kcfs | not defined | 2026-11-05 19:45:00 UTC |
The forecast-service figures show when they were taken and do not update.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
Dearborn County launch sites on the DNR layer
- Ratliff Landing Tanners Creek on Ohio RiverOhio River, concrete ramp, courtesy dock, lights, no fee recorded
- Laughrey Creek boat rampLaughrey Creek, concrete ramp, no fee recorded
Piers and shore access across Dearborn County
- City of Greendale shore access on Schnebelt PondSchnebelt Pond, shore access, lights, 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.
Dearborn County stocking history
| Year | Month | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Avg length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | October | Schnebelt Pond | Bluegill | 420 | 1.1 |
| 2026 | October | Schnebelt Pond | Largemouth Bass | 278 | 2.95 |
| 2025 | November | Amber Lake | Channel Catfish | 200 | 8.64 |
| 2025 | November | Schnebelt Pond | Channel Catfish | 180 | 8.64 |
| 2025 | November | Simon Lake | Channel Catfish | 160 | 8.64 |
| 2024 | November | Amber Lake | Channel Catfish | 200 | 8.37 |
| 2024 | November | Schnebelt Pond | Channel Catfish | 180 | 8.37 |
| 2024 | November | Simon Lake | Channel Catfish | 160 | 8.37 |
| 2023 | October | Amber Lake | Channel Catfish | 200 | 8.5 |
| 2023 | October | Schnebelt Pond | Channel Catfish | 180 | 8.5 |
| 2023 | October | Simon Lake | Channel Catfish | 160 | 8.5 |
| 2022 | November | Amber Lake | Channel Catfish | 400 | 8.6 |
| 2022 | November | Schnebelt Pond | Channel Catfish | 180 | 8.6 |
| 2022 | November | Simon Lake | Channel Catfish | 160 | 8.6 |
| 2021 | November | Amber Lake | Channel Catfish | 160 | 9.09 |
| 2021 | November | Schnebelt Pond | Channel Catfish | 180 | 9.09 |
| 2021 | November | Simon Lake | Channel Catfish | 160 | 9.09 |
| 2020 | October | Amber Lake | Channel Catfish | 300 | 8.11 |
| 2020 | October | Schnebelt Pond | Channel Catfish | 180 | 8.11 |
| 2020 | October | Simon Lake | Channel Catfish | 160 | 8.11 |
| 2019 | October | Amber Lake | Channel Catfish | 200 | 8.6 |
| 2019 | October | Schnebelt Pond | Channel Catfish | 180 | 8.6 |
| 2019 | October | Simon Lake | Channel Catfish | 160 | 8.6 |
| 2018 | October | Amber Lake | Channel Catfish | 200 | 8.02 |
| 2018 | October | Schnebelt Pond | Channel Catfish | 180 | 8.02 |
| 2017 | October | Amber Lake | Channel Catfish | 200 | 8.84 |
| 2017 | October | Schnebelt Pond | Channel Catfish | 180 | 8.84 |
| 2017 | October | Simon Lake | Channel Catfish | 180 | 8.84 |
| 2016 | November | Amber Lake | Channel Catfish | 210 | 8.6 |
| 2016 | November | Schnebelt Pond | Channel Catfish | 230 | 8.6 |
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.
Guide limits that cover Dearborn County
The statewide limits cover Dearborn County except where the guide lists a water by name. Indiana residents buy the annual license for $23; out-of-state anglers spend $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) |
River rows that apply in Dearborn County
| Species | Daily limit | Size limit |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass | 6, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass | 12 inches No size limit on spotted bass |
| Hybrid striped, striped, white and yellow bass | 30, any combination of hybrid, striped, white, or yellow bass | No more than four fish may be 15 inches or longer |
| Rock Bass | 15 | no size limit |
| Blue Catfish | Unlimited | 13 inches; no more than one may be 35 inches or longer |
| Channel Catfish | Unlimited | 13 inches; no more than one may be 28 inches or longer |
| Flathead Catfish | Unlimited | 13 inches; no more than one may be 35 inches or longer |
| Crappie | 30 | no size limit |
| Muskellunge and tiger muskellunge | 2, any combination of muskellunge or tiger muskellunge | 30 inches |
| Walleye, sauger and saugeye | 6, any combination of walleye, sauger, or hybrid walleye | 14 inches |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | Unlimited | 25 inches (fork length) |
Special regulation waters of Dearborn County (1)
| Water (counties) | Species | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Schnebelt Pond (Dearborn) | Black Bass | No minimum size 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. Ohio River rows and reciprocity 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 Fish Program lines naming Dearborn County
| Species | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mooneye | 9 oz. | Whitewater River | Dearborn 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.
Bass club tournaments across Dearborn County
Dearborn County lakes host 13 posted events; 2 have not been fished yet.
Organizer schedule and results pages (the DNR publishes no tournament calendar); most listings are Indiana Bass Federation member club events; checked November 2026.
Gear and guide listings for Dearborn County
Dearborn County bait shops and marinas
- Newt's Bait Housebait and tackle shop, Aurora
- Wormie's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Lawrenceburg
- Sunset Bay Marina & Campgroundmarina, Aurora
Dearborn County fishing guides
- Bourbon Country Outfitter LLCfishing guide, (859) 967-6047
- The Obsession Outdoorsfishing guide, (502) 548-6886
- Top 2% Guide Services LLCfishing guide, (573) 418-2148
- Twin Eagles Catfish Chartersfishing guide, (812) 719-6777
- Two Forks Guide Service, LLCfishing guide, (317) 223-6590
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.
Neighbouring pages for Dearborn County
Town pages for Dearborn County
- Brightpop. 5,814
- Hidden Valleypop. 5,529
- Lawrenceburgpop. 5,129
- Greendalepop. 4,602
- Aurorapop. 3,479
- Dillsboropop. 1,360
Neighbours of Dearborn County
- Ohio County14 miles south
- Ripley County16 miles west
- Franklin County19 miles north
- Switzerland County22 miles south
Spinning reels from Piscifun suited to Dearborn County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Lakes and stream bends close to Dearborn County, in pictures
Photo: Warren LeMay, CC0 1.0
Photo: Kyle Hartshorn, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Dearborn County fishing questions
Does Dearborn County offer a public boat ramp?
The DNR lists 2 boat ramps; Ratliff Landing Tanners Creek on Ohio River is the first.
Which Dearborn County lake has the most mapped area?
No lake guide falls inside; Versailles Lake, 20 miles away, is the closest.
What species does the DNR name on lakes around Dearborn County?
Largemouth bass leads the count of lake pages within 50 miles, then channel catfish, bluegill and redear sunfish; the DNR names them on lake and access records.
Where does a Dearborn County angler buy minnows?
Start at Newt's Bait House; the county list has 3.
In which town are the Dearborn County offices located?
The seat is Lawrenceburg.
What does a non-Hoosier pay to fish in Dearborn County?
Indiana residents buy the annual license for $23; out-of-state anglers spend $60.
Which Indiana counties are close to Dearborn County?
Look at Ohio County, Ripley County and Franklin County next.
Does the DNR number a district for Dearborn County lakes?
The DNR lake layer gives the county's own lakes the number for DNR fisheries district 5.
Is there shore access in Dearborn County?
The DNR layer lists 1 pier or shore site, such as City of Greendale shore access on Schnebelt Pond.
How many events list Dearborn County water?
13 events on file; the next is Phoenix BFL Team/Solo Ohio River-Tanners Creek (June 2027) on Ohio River, June 26, 2027.
Do any Dearborn County lakes break from the statewide limits?
The guide lists 1 special regulation water in this county, starting with Schnebelt Pond; the table above shows each.
Are Dearborn County lakes stocked?
The DNR dashboard carries 104 rows; the newest lists 420 Bluegill, 1.1 in average (October 2026) in Schnebelt Pond.
Which record weights name Dearborn County as the county?
Mooneye, 9 oz., 2025, from Whitewater River.
Is there Ohio River access in Dearborn County?
Along the Ohio River, Dearborn County holds 1 access site in the DNR access layer.
Fish Dearborn County for a whole weekend
River pages carry USGS gauges that update themselves.