Fishing in Franklin County, Indiana
County seat: Brookville. Population 22,785 (2020 Census).
- 1lake pages
- 3DNR boat ramps
- 2river pages
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Franklin County fishing, sized up
Seat: Brookville. People: 22,785, per the 2020 Census tally for Franklin County.
The county's 1 paged lakes are headed, by size, by Brookville Lake. A trailer can splash at 3 boat ramps in the county, per DNR records. Without a boat, 5 piers and shore sites are on the DNR list. County water appears in 228 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 Franklin 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 Franklin County
| Lake | Area | Max depth | Kind | Ramps | Fish the DNR names |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookville Lake | 4,364 acres (NHD outline area) | reservoir | 10 | bluegill, redear sunfish, common carp |
Measured from Brookville, the lakes below sit outside Franklin County.
| Lake | From Brookville | Area | Max depth | Kind | Ramps | Fish the DNR names |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitewater Lake | 13 miles north | 170 acres (NHD outline area) | lake | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass | |
| Bischoff Reservoir | 14 miles southwest | 192 acres (NHD outline area) | reservoir | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish | |
| Feller Reservoir | 15 miles southwest | 6 acres (NHD outline area) | reservoir | 0 | channel catfish | |
| Hahn Reservoir | 15 miles southwest | 7 acres (NHD outline area) | reservoir | 0 | channel catfish, largemouth bass, redear sunfish | |
| Mollenkramer Reservoir | 15 miles southwest | 37 acres (NHD outline area) | reservoir | 1 | channel catfish, redear sunfish, largemouth bass | |
| Oser Reservoir | 15 miles southwest | 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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Within 50 miles of Brookville, 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.
Rivers that cross Franklin County
- East Fork Whitewater RiverDNR put-and-take salmonid stream, 3 USGS gauges
- Whitewater RiverNRC Outstanding River (2013 list), 1 DNR access site, 3 USGS gauges
Named streams of Franklin County without a page (1)
- Dry Fork Whitewater River6.2 mi of mapped NHD line in Indiana
Current gauge data for Franklin County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Whitewater River At Brookville, In | 1,000 cfs, 3.55 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:45 am |
| East Fork Whitewater River At Brookville, In | 4.06 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:45 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 1:33 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.
Flood-control reservoir readings in Franklin County
| Lake | Pool | Datum | Reading time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookville Lake | 744.42 ft | NGVD 1929 feet (USGS parameter 62614) | 2026-11-05 14:45 local |
A dated reading for each reservoir; check the gauge page for today's pool.
USACE Louisville District pool as reported through the NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge page, read November 5, 2026 (one dated reading, not live; feet as published, datum not printed).
Weather Service stage snapshots for Franklin County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Fork Whitewater River below Brookville Lake | 4.35 ft | 0.703 kcfs | not defined | 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 |
| West Fork Whitewater River near Alpine | 6.14 ft | 0.222 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 20:00:00 UTC |
| East Fork Whitewater River at Abington | 4.93 ft | 0.522 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:45:00 UTC |
| Great Miami River at Miamitown | 1.62 ft | 1.58 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:45:00 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 Franklin County
- Gar Hill Ramp on Brookville LakeBrookville Lake, concrete ramp, courtesy dock, restrooms, lights, fee: Lake Permit Required
- Overlook Ramp on Brookville LakeBrookville Lake, concrete ramp, courtesy dock, ADA access, restrooms, lights, fee: Lake Permit Required
- Templeton Creek Ramp on Brookville LakeBrookville Lake, concrete ramp, fishing pier, courtesy dock, restrooms, lights, fee: Lake Permit Required
Franklin County spots for boatless anglers
- Brookville Tailwater Brookville Town Park on East Fork Whitewater RiverEast Fork Whitewater River, shore access, ADA access, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded
- Brookville Tailwater Fisherman's Access on East Fork Whitewater RiverEast Fork Whitewater River, shore access, ADA access, no fee recorded
- Brookville Tailwater Recreation Area on East Fork Whitewater RiverEast Fork Whitewater River, shore access, ADA access, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded
- Mounds Beach Road Fishing Pier on Brookville LakeBrookville Lake, fishing pier, ADA access, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded
- Quakertown SRA Fishing Pier on Brookville LakeBrookville Lake, shore access, ADA access, 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 Franklin County water
| Year | Month | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Avg length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | April | Brookville Lake | Walleye | 10,520,950 | 0.2 |
| 2026 | April | East Fork Whitewater River | Brown Trout | 3,000 | 8.62 |
| 2026 | April | East Fork Whitewater River | Rainbow Trout | 1,510 | 9.88 |
| 2025 | April | Brookville Lake | Walleye | 10,520,950 | 0.2 |
| 2025 | April | East Fork Whitewater River | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 9.0 |
| 2025 | Multiple | Brookville Lake | Muskie | 8,884 | 9.67 |
| 2025 | Multiple | East Fork Whitewater River | Brown Trout | 4,000 | 8.65 |
| 2024 | June | Brookville Lake | Striped Bass | 46,677 | 1.33 |
| 2024 | April | Brookville Lake | Walleye | 10,520,950 | 0.2 |
| 2024 | April | East Fork Whitewater River | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 9.45 |
| 2024 | Multiple | East Fork Whitewater River | Brown Trout | 4,600 | 8.14 |
| 2023 | November | Brookville Lake | Muskie | 1,980 | 10.23 |
| 2023 | July | Brookville Lake | Striped Bass | 76,444 | 1.5 |
| 2023 | April | Brookville Lake | Walleye | 10,546,800 | 0.2 |
| 2023 | April | East Fork Whitewater River | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 9.37 |
| 2023 | Multiple | East Fork Whitewater River | Brown Trout | 4,120 | 8.31 |
| 2022 | November | Brookville Lake | Muskie | 9,167 | 8.81 |
| 2022 | November | East Fork Whitewater River | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 9.4 |
| 2022 | June | Brookville Lake | Striped Bass | 15,274 | 1.66 |
| 2022 | April | Brookville Lake | Walleye | 10,580,875 | 0.2 |
| 2021 | November | Brookville Lake | Muskie | 5,527 | 9.44 |
| 2021 | June | Brookville Lake | Striped Bass | 72,600 | 1.29 |
| 2021 | May | East Fork Whitewater River | Brown Trout | 3,000 | 9.57 |
| 2021 | Multiple | Brookville Lake | Walleye | 10,784,150 | 0.02 |
| 2021 | Multiple | East Fork Whitewater River | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 9.46 |
| 2020 | May | East Fork Whitewater River | Brown Trout | 3,000 | 8.76 |
| 2020 | Multiple | East Fork Whitewater River | Rainbow Trout | 3,019 | 9.14 |
| 2019 | November | Brookville Lake | Muskie | 4,911 | 10.57 |
| 2019 | August | Brookville Lake | Striped Bass | 93,221 | 1.5 |
| 2019 | May | East Fork Whitewater River | Brown Trout | 3,025 | 8.65 |
Where the 2026 trout plan reaches Franklin County
| Season | Water as printed | Location | Planned number | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening day streams, south | Brookville Tailwater | 1,500 | Rainbow Trout | |
| Opening day streams, south | Brookville Tailwater | 2,600 | Brown Trout | |
| Fall (mid-to-late October) | Brookville Tailwater | 1,000 | 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.
Nearest bait beyond Franklin County
- Kent's Harbor Marinamarina, Liberty, 7 miles
- Quakertown Marina Incmarina, Liberty, 11 miles
- Lake Santee Marinamarina, Greensburg, 16 miles
- King's Wholesale Baitbait and tackle shop, Liberty, 19 miles
- Wormie's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Lawrenceburg, 25 miles
Yellow Pages and chain store listings; straight-line miles from Brookville.
Stringer math for Franklin County anglers
Statewide rows hold across Franklin 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 Franklin County lakes (1)
| Water (counties) | Species | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Brookville Lake tailwater (East Fork Whitewater River) (Franklin) | Brown Trout | 18-inch 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. Indiana DNR license fees (license year April 1 to March 31), read November 5, 2026.
Record-book catches near Franklin County
No record on the DNR list names Franklin County, so the record waters within 70 miles are shown.
| Species | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mooneye | 9 oz. | Whitewater River | Dearborn County | 2025 |
| Rock Bass | 3 lb. | Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties) | Hancock County | 1969 |
| Hybrid Walleye | 8 lb. 8 oz. | Scottsburg Reservoir | Scott County | 1999 |
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.
Organizer events tied to Franklin County
Clubs and trails list 3 events in Franklin County, 0 still to come.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 28, 2026 | IBF 2026 Larry P. Watson State Finals | Brookville Lake | Indiana Bass Federation |
| May 31, 2026 | IBF Trail 2026 #2 Brookville | Brookville Lake | Indiana Bass Federation |
| June 1, 2025 | IBF Trail 2025 #3 Brookville | Brookville Lake | Indiana Bass Federation |
Organizer schedule and results pages (the DNR publishes no tournament calendar); most listings are Indiana Bass Federation member club events; checked November 2026.
Franklin County shops, marinas and guides
Charters and guides near Franklin County
- Chucks Guide Servicecharter, (937) 733-2966
- Bourbon Country Outfitter LLCfishing guide, (859) 967-6047
- Brookville Lake Guide Servicefishing guide, (765) 265-3238
- Isaacs Guiding Servicefishing guide, (765) 265-5317
- Little Miami River Outfittersfishing guide, (513) 714-5366
- McCloud's Guide Servicefishing guide, (317) 998-3466
- Nick Leisure Guide Servicefishing guide, (765) 432-1088
- Top 2% Guide Services LLCfishing guide, (573) 418-2148
- 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.
Close to Franklin County
Franklin County town guides
- Brookvillepop. 2,622
Bordering counties of Franklin County
- Union County17 miles northeast
- Fayette County17 miles north
- Dearborn County19 miles south
- Ripley County24 miles southwest
Piscifun reels to toss in the boat for Franklin County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Lakes and stream bends close to Franklin County, in pictures
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: LouisvilleUSACE, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ken Ratcliff, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Questions on Franklin County water
Where does a bass boat go in across Franklin County?
The DNR count is 3 boat ramps; Gar Hill Ramp on Brookville Lake is one of them.
Which paged lake in Franklin County covers the most ground?
Brookville Lake, at 4,364 acres (NHD outline area).
What might a visiting angler target in Franklin 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 Franklin County?
All the listed stores are outside the county.
In which town does Franklin County keep its seat?
Brookville holds the courthouse.
What license does Franklin 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 Franklin County?
Measured centre to centre, Union County, Fayette County and Dearborn County are nearest.
What district number do Franklin County lakes carry?
DNR lake data shows no number for the county.
Does Franklin County have a public fishing pier?
The DNR layer lists 5 piers and shore sites, such as Brookville Tailwater Brookville Town Park on East Fork Whitewater River.
What Franklin County event is next on a club schedule?
Organizers posted 3 events for this county, none of them still ahead.
Which special water entries reach Franklin County?
The guide lists 1 special regulation water in this county, starting with Brookville Lake tailwater (East Fork Whitewater River); the table above shows each.
Has the DNR released fish into Franklin County water?
The DNR dashboard carries 228 rows; the newest lists 10,520,950 Walleye, 0.2 in average (April 2026) in Brookville Lake.
Spend a Saturday on Franklin County water
Lake pages carry ramps, survey depths and guide rules.