Fishing in Hamilton County, Indiana
County seat: Noblesville. Population 347,467 (2020 Census).
- 11lake pages
- 9DNR boat ramps
- 3river pages
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The fishing case for Hamilton County
Hamilton County numbered 347,467 people in 2020 and keeps its seat at Noblesville. In the DNR public lakes layer, county lakes fall in DNR fisheries district 4.
By mapped area, Morse Reservoir leads the 11 lake pages for the county. DNR access data puts 9 boat ramps within county lines. Bank anglers get 13 piers and shore sites on the same DNR layer. Count 107 stocking rows on the DNR stocking dashboard for this county.
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.
Hamilton County ramps, piers and lakes plotted
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.
Hamilton County lakes with their own guide
| Lake | Area | Max depth | Kind | Ramps | Fish the DNR names |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morse Reservoir | 1,440 acres (NHD outline area) | reservoir | 2 | bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie | |
| Geist Reservoir | 1,153 acres (NHD outline area) | reservoir | 1 | bluegill, largemouth bass | |
| Central Park Pond | pond | 0 | bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish | ||
| Coxhall Gardens Park Pond | pond | 0 | |||
| Flat Fork Creek Park Pond A | pond | 1 | bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass | ||
| Flat Fork Creek Park Pond B | pond | 1 | bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass | ||
| Founders Park Pond | pond | 0 | redear sunfish, largemouth bass, channel catfish | ||
| Koteewi Lake | lake | 1 | largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie | ||
| Latern Woods Pond | pond | 0 | bluegill, largemouth bass | ||
| Meadowlar Park Pond | pond | 0 | channel catfish, catfish | ||
| West Park Pond | 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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Lake pages out to 50 miles from Noblesville were tallied by fish, and bluegill leads.
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.
More ponds and pits around Hamilton County
Another 1 named waters sit in Hamilton County without a guide of their own.
| Water | Kind | Area | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westfield Washington Nature Area Pond | pond | Westfield |
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.
Flowing water across Hamilton County
- White RiverNRC Outstanding River (2013 list), 20 DNR access sites, 22 USGS gauges
- Eagle Creek (Boone and Hamilton Counties)DNR put-and-take salmonid stream, 1 DNR access site, 6 USGS gauges
- Fall Creek (Delaware and Hamilton Counties)1 DNR access site, 4 USGS gauges
USGS readings across Hamilton County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| White River At Conner Prairie Near Noblesville, In | 388 cfs, 3.31 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:30 pm |
| White River At Noblesville, In | 237 cfs, 3.85 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:45 pm |
| Fall Creek Near Fortville, In | 74 cfs, 1.75 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:45 pm |
| Mud Creek At Fishers, In | 23 cfs, 2.87 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:45 am |
| Cicero Creek At Arcadia, In | 8 cfs, 2.84 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:30 pm |
| Williams Creek At 96th Street, Indianapolis, In | 3 cfs, 3.26 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.
Timed river gauge values around Hamilton County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Creek (IN) near Noblesville | 1.9 ft | 0.02 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 20:15:00 UTC |
| White River (IN) at Noblesville | 3.8 ft | 0.202 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:45:00 UTC |
| Cicero Creek at Noblesville | 3.45 ft | – | not defined | 2026-11-05 19:45:00 UTC |
| Cicero Creek at Morse Reservoir | 808.85 ft | – | not defined | 2026-11-05 19:45:00 UTC |
| White River (IN) at 146th Street near Noblesville | 3.28 ft | – | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:30:00 UTC |
One reading per gauge with its UTC time; river pages carry live USGS data.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
Where boats go in around Hamilton County
- 116th Street boat ramp on White RiverWhite River, boat ramp, no fee recorded
- Forest Park on White RiverWhite River, concrete ramp, ADA access, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded
- Geist Reservoir boat rampGeist Reservoir, concrete ramp, courtesy dock, ADA access, lights, fee: Entry Fee
- Koteewi Lake boat rampKoteewi Lake, concrete ramp, no fee recorded, Electric only
- Morse Lake Marina and Boat LaunchMorse Reservoir, concrete ramp, courtesy dock, restrooms, lights, fee: Entry Fee
- Morse Reservoir Red Bridge ParkMorse Reservoir, boat ramp, fishing pier, courtesy dock, ADA access, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded
- Noblesville boat ramp on White RiverWhite River, concrete ramp, ADA access, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded
- Prather Park on White RiverWhite River, concrete ramp, restrooms, lights
- Strawtown boat ramp on White RiverWhite River, concrete ramp, ADA access, lights, no fee recorded
Fishing from land in Hamilton County
- Central Park Pond (Carmel)Central Park Pond, fishing pier, ADA access, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded
- Founders ParkFounders Park Pond, shore access, lights, no fee recorded
- Geist Park on Fall Creek (Delaware and Hamilton Counties)Fall Creek (Delaware and Hamilton Counties), shore access, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded
- Koteewi Prairie Park on White RiverWhite River, shore access, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded
- Lantern Woods Pond (Cheeney Creek Natural Area) on Latern Woods PondLatern Woods Pond, fishing pier, ADA access, fee: Entry Fee
- Meadowlark Pond (Meadowlark Park) on Meadowlar Park PondMeadowlar Park Pond, urban fishing site
- Meadowlark Pond Urban Fishing Site on Meadowlar Park PondMeadowlar Park Pond, fishing pier
- Morse Park and BeachMorse Reservoir, shore access, courtesy dock, ADA access, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded
- West Park PondWest Park Pond, fishing pier, ADA access, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded
- White River Campground shore accessWhite River, fishing pier, lights, fee: Entry Fee
- Coxhall Gardens Park PondCoxhall Gardens Park Pond, shore access, restrooms
- Hazel Dell Landing on White RiverWhite River, shore access, no fee recorded
- Riverwood Canoe Landing on White RiverWhite River, shore 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.
DNR stocking in Hamilton County
| Year | Month | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Avg length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | October | Koteewi Lake | Bluegill | 14,000 | 1.1 |
| 2026 | October | Koteewi Lake | Channel Catfish | 160 | 7.9 |
| 2026 | May | Koteewi Lake | Saugeye | 1,400 | 1.33 |
| 2025 | November | Founders Park Pond | Channel Catfish | 290 | 8.5 |
| 2025 | October | Central Park Pond | Channel Catfish | 500 | 7.8 |
| 2025 | October | Founders Park Pond | Bluegill | 2,000 | 1.4 |
| 2025 | October | Founders Park Pond | Largemouth Bass | 540 | 3.66 |
| 2025 | October | Founders Park Pond | Redear Sunfish | 500 | 1.08 |
| 2025 | October | Koteewi Lake | Channel Catfish | 420 | 7.8 |
| 2025 | October | West Park Pond | Channel Catfish | 300 | 9.8 |
| 2025 | May | Koteewi Lake | Saugeye | 1,400 | 1.49 |
| 2024 | November | Central Park Pond | Channel Catfish | 250 | 7.7 |
| 2024 | November | Flat Fork Creek Park Pond A | Channel Catfish | 150 | 7.7 |
| 2024 | November | Flat Fork Creek Park Pond B | Channel Catfish | 100 | 7.7 |
| 2024 | November | Koteewi Lake | Channel Catfish | 420 | 7.7 |
| 2024 | November | West Park Pond | Channel Catfish | 300 | 7.7 |
| 2024 | May | Koteewi Lake | Saugeye | 1,400 | 1.43 |
| 2023 | October | Central Park Pond | Channel Catfish | 500 | 8.4 |
| 2023 | October | Flat Fork Creek Park Pond A | Channel Catfish | 150 | 8.4 |
| 2023 | October | Flat Fork Creek Park Pond B | Channel Catfish | 100 | 8.4 |
| 2023 | October | Founders Park Pond | Channel Catfish | 290 | 8.4 |
| 2023 | October | Koteewi Lake | Channel Catfish | 420 | 8.4 |
| 2023 | October | West Park Pond | Channel Catfish | 300 | 8.4 |
| 2023 | September | Westfield Washington Nature Area Pond | Bluegill | 400 | 6.0 |
| 2023 | September | Westfield Washington Nature Area Pond | Largemouth Bass | 112 | 4.8 |
| 2023 | May | Koteewi Lake | Saugeye | 1,400 | 1.55 |
| 2022 | October | Flat Fork Creek Park Pond A | Channel Catfish | 300 | 9.8 |
| 2022 | October | Flat Fork Creek Park Pond B | Channel Catfish | 200 | 9.8 |
| 2022 | October | Koteewi Lake | Channel Catfish | 420 | 9.78 |
| 2022 | September | Central Park Pond | Channel Catfish | 507 | 11.1 |
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.
Statewide creel rows for Hamilton County water
Any Hamilton County lake without its own guide entry keeps to the rows below. A twelve-month Indiana license is $23 at resident rates and $60 at nonresident rates.
| 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) |
Hamilton County waters carrying guide exceptions (1)
| Water (counties) | Species | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Flat Fork Creek Park ponds A and B (Hamilton) | Channel Catfish | 5 per day |
| Flat Fork Creek Park ponds A and B (Hamilton) | Largemouth Bass | 2 per day; must be at least 18 inches long |
| Flat Fork Creek Park ponds A and B (Hamilton) | Bluegill, redear sunfish and crappie | 15 per day in any combination |
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.
State record weights from Hamilton County
| Species | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grass Carp | 69 lb. | Westons Pond | Hamilton County | 2018 |
| Yellow Bass | 2 lb. 15 oz. | Morse Reservoir | Hamilton County | 2000 |
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.
Where Hamilton County anglers stock up
Buying bait in Hamilton County
- 4 R Rod & Reel Repairbait and tackle shop, Noblesville
- Corp Fishers Rcrbait and tackle shop, Fishers
- Schwartz's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Noblesville
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Carmelsporting goods store, Carmel
- Cabela's Noblesvillesporting goods store, Noblesville
- Dick's Sporting Goods Carmelsporting goods store, Carmel
- Dick's Sporting Goods Noblesvillesporting goods store, Noblesville
- Geist Marinamarina, Indianapolis
- Lakeview Marinamarina, Noblesville
- Morse Lake Marinamarina, Noblesville
- Pine Crest Marinemarina, Fishers
Guide services around Hamilton 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.
Moving on from Hamilton County
Towns of Hamilton County
- Carmelpop. 99,757
- Fisherspop. 98,977
- Noblesvillepop. 69,604
- Westfieldpop. 46,410
- Ciceropop. 5,301
- Sheridanpop. 3,106
- Arcadiapop. 1,515
County guides around Hamilton County
- Madison County18 miles northeast
- Tipton County18 miles north
- Marion County20 miles south
- Hancock County21 miles southeast
Piscifun picks for a day out on Hamilton County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Telling Hamilton County fish apart from a photo
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Asked about fishing Hamilton County
What public launch count does Hamilton County carry?
The DNR layer shows 9 boat ramps, starting with 116th Street boat ramp on White River.
Which Hamilton County water lets a boat roam furthest?
Morse Reservoir, at 1,440 acres (NHD outline area).
Which fish turn up most on lake pages near Hamilton County?
Bluegill leads the count of lake pages within 50 miles, then largemouth bass, channel catfish and redear sunfish; the DNR names them on lake and access records.
Which Hamilton County stores sell fishing tackle, per the listings?
11 listed shops, beginning with 4 R Rod & Reel Repair.
Which town serves as the Hamilton County county seat?
It is Noblesville.
Do Hamilton County lakes require a fishing license?
A twelve-month Indiana license is $23 at resident rates and $60 at nonresident rates.
Which counties touch Hamilton County?
The next county guides over are Madison County, Tipton County and Marion County.
Which fisheries district do Hamilton County lakes fall in?
The DNR lake layer gives the county's own lakes the number for DNR fisheries district 4.
Where can I fish from shore in Hamilton County?
The DNR layer lists 13 piers and shore sites, such as Central Park Pond (Carmel).
Which Hamilton County lakes have special regulations?
The guide lists 1 special regulation water in this county, starting with Flat Fork Creek Park ponds A and B; the table above shows each.
What does the stocking dashboard show for Hamilton County?
The DNR dashboard carries 107 rows; the newest lists 14,000 Bluegill, 1.1 in average (October 2026) in Koteewi Lake.
Has a Hamilton County lake produced an Indiana record?
Grass Carp, 69 lb., 2018, from Westons Pond.
Choose a lake or stream in Hamilton County
Every lake page lists the fish the DNR names there.