Fishing in Orange County, Indiana
County seat: Paoli. Population 19,867 (2020 Census).
- 4lake pages
- 7DNR boat ramps
- 2river pages
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The fishing case for Orange County
Orange County numbered 19,867 people in 2020 and keeps its seat at Paoli. In the DNR public lakes layer, county lakes fall in DNR fisheries district 6.
By mapped area, Patoka Lake leads the 4 lake pages for the county. DNR access data puts 7 boat ramps within county lines. Bank anglers get 1 pier or shore site on the same DNR layer. Count 40 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.
Orange 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.
Orange County lakes with their own guide
| Lake | Area | Max depth | Kind | Ramps | Fish the DNR names |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patoka Lake | 8,800 acres | reservoir | 11 | bluegill, redear sunfish, common carp | |
| Springs Valley Lake | 130 acres (NHD outline area) | lake | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish | |
| Olinger Lake | 18 acres (NHD outline area) | lake | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass | |
| Kiddy Pond | pond | 0 | largemouth bass, redear sunfish, bluegill |
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 Paoli were tallied by fish, and largemouth bass 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 Orange County
Another 1 named waters sit in Orange County without a guide of their own.
| Water | Kind | Area | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bufflehead Pond | pond | French Lick |
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 Orange County
- Patoka RiverNRC Outstanding River (2013 list), 9 DNR access sites, 4 USGS gauges
- Lost RiverNRC Outstanding River (2013 list), 1 USGS gauge
Further streams of Orange County (2)
- Little Patoka River4.2 mi of mapped NHD line in Indiana
- South Fork Lost River8.3 mi of mapped NHD line in Indiana
USGS readings across Orange County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lost River Near Prospect, In | 42 cfs, 7.99 ft gage height | Nov 11 10:15 pm |
| Lick Creek At Paoli, In | 3 cfs, 2.85 ft gage height | Nov 11 10:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 11:33 pm 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 Orange County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lick Creek at Paoli | 3.17 ft | – | not defined | 2026-11-05 19:30:00 UTC |
| Lost River (IN) near Prospect | 8.81 ft | – | not defined | 2026-11-05 19:15:00 UTC |
| Whiskey Run at Marengo | 1.86 ft | – | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:30:00 UTC |
| East Fork White River at Rivervale | 3.93 ft | 0.774 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:30:00 UTC |
| Patoka River at Patoka Lake | 537.45 ft | – | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:15:00 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 Orange County
- Jackson boat ramp on Patoka LakePatoka Lake, concrete ramp, courtesy dock, restrooms, lights, fee: Lake Permit Required
- Kings Bridge Ramp on Patoka LakePatoka Lake, gravel ramp, fee: Lake Permit Required
- Newton Stewart Ramp on Patoka LakePatoka Lake, concrete ramp, courtesy dock, restrooms, lights, fee: Lake Permit Required
- Osborn Ramp on Patoka LakePatoka Lake, concrete ramp, fishing pier, courtesy dock, ADA access, restrooms, fee: Lake Permit Required
- Painter Creek Ramp on Patoka LakePatoka Lake, concrete ramp, courtesy dock, restrooms, fee: Lake Permit Required
- Springs Valley Lake (Tucker Lake) boat rampSprings Valley Lake, concrete ramp, restrooms, no fee recorded, Electric only
- Wall's Lake Ramp on Patoka LakePatoka Lake, concrete ramp, courtesy dock, restrooms, lights, fee: Lake Permit Required
Fishing from land in Orange County
- Olinger Lake shore accessOlinger Lake, shore access, fee: Entry Fee, 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.
DNR stocking in Orange County
| Year | Month | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Avg length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | March | Kiddy Pond | Largemouth Bass | 500 | 3.37 |
| 2020 | October | Kiddy Pond | Bluegill | 1,875 | 1.7 |
| 2020 | October | Kiddy Pond | Redear Sunfish | 625 | 1.5 |
| 2012 | October | Kiddy Pond | Channel Catfish | 400 | 8.46 |
| 2011 | October | Kiddy Pond | Channel Catfish | 400 | 8.4 |
| 2010 | October | Kiddy Pond | Channel Catfish | 400 | 7.9 |
| 2010 | October | Springs Valley Lake | Channel Catfish | 2,256 | 7.9 |
| 2009 | October | Kiddy Pond | Channel Catfish | 400 | 8.7 |
| 2008 | October | Kiddy Pond | Channel Catfish | 3,040 | 10.0 |
| 2008 | October | Springs Valley Lake | Channel Catfish | 2,256 | 9.6 |
| 2006 | October | Kiddy Pond | Channel Catfish | 3,040 | 8.5 |
| 2006 | October | Springs Valley Lake | Channel Catfish | 2,279 | 8.9 |
| 2004 | October | Kiddy Pond | Channel Catfish | 3,040 | 8.6 |
| 2004 | October | Springs Valley Lake | Channel Catfish | 2,375 | 8.6 |
| 2002 | October | Kiddy Pond | Channel Catfish | 3,040 | 8.6 |
| 2002 | October | Springs Valley Lake | Channel Catfish | 2,256 | 8.7 |
| 2000 | November | Kiddy Pond | Channel Catfish | 3,040 | 8.2 |
| 2000 | November | Springs Valley Lake | Channel Catfish | 2,256 | 8.2 |
| 1998 | November | Kiddy Pond | Channel Catfish | 3,040 | 9.7 |
| 1998 | October | Springs Valley Lake | Channel Catfish | 2,256 | 9.55 |
| 1996 | October | Kiddy Pond | Channel Catfish | 3,040 | 8.2 |
| 1996 | May | Olinger Lake | Grass Carp | 89 | |
| 1994 | October | Kiddy Pond | Channel Catfish | 3,044 | 9.52 |
| 1994 | October | Springs Valley Lake | Channel Catfish | 2,252 | 8.91 |
| 1993 | November | Kiddy Pond | Channel Catfish | 4,750 | 8.9 |
| 1993 | October | Springs Valley Lake | Channel Catfish | 3,525 | 8.98 |
| 1990 | October | Kiddy Pond | Channel Catfish | 5,000 | 8.2 |
| 1990 | October | Springs Valley Lake | Channel Catfish | 3,525 | 8.57 |
| 1987 | October | Kiddy Pond | Channel Catfish | 5,000 | 8.4 |
| 1987 | October | Springs Valley Lake | Channel Catfish | 3,525 | 8.42 |
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 Orange County water
Any Orange 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) |
Orange County waters carrying guide exceptions (1)
| Water (counties) | Species | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Patoka Lake (Orange, Dubois, Crawford) | Largemouth Bass | 15-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.
State record weights from Orange County
Record waters closest to Orange County, within 70 miles, are listed.
| Species | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Smallmouth Bass | 8 lb. 3.6 oz. | Monroe Lake | Monroe County | 2024 |
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.
Competitive fishing days in Orange County
1 of the 7 posted events on Orange County water lie ahead.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 15, 2027 | Phoenix BFL Team/Solo Patoka Lake (May 2027) | Patoka Lake | Major League Fishing |
| Oct. 10, 2026 | TBF District 10 National Semi-Finals 2026 (Indiana) | Patoka Lake | Indiana Bass Federation |
| June 21, 2026 | IBF Trail 2026 #3 Patoka | Patoka Lake | Indiana Bass Federation |
| May 2, 2026 | Student Angler Federation Indiana State Championship 2026 | Patoka Lake | Student Angler Federation |
| Oct. 25, 2025 | IBF Trail 2025 Classic Patoka | Patoka Lake | Indiana Bass Federation |
| March 30, 2025 | IBF Trail 2025 #1 Patoka | Patoka Lake | Indiana Bass Federation |
| date not printed | Phoenix BFL Hoosier Division Patoka Lake 2026 | Patoka Lake | Major League Fishing |
Organizer schedule and results pages (the DNR publishes no tournament calendar); most listings are Indiana Bass Federation member club events; checked November 2026.
Where Orange County anglers stock up
Buying bait in Orange County
- Patoka Lake Boat and Marinebait and tackle shop, French Lick
Guide services around Orange County
- Broken Nock Bowfishingfishing guide, (812) 699-9607
- 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 Orange County
Towns of Orange County
- Paolipop. 3,666
- Orleanspop. 2,108
- French Lickpop. 1,722
County guides around Orange County
- Crawford County18 miles south
- Martin County20 miles northwest
- Lawrence County20 miles north
- Washington County21 miles east
Piscifun picks for a day out on Orange County
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Telling Orange 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 Orange County
What public launch count does Orange County carry?
The DNR layer shows 7 boat ramps, starting with Jackson boat ramp on Patoka Lake.
Which Orange County water lets a boat roam furthest?
Patoka Lake, at 8,800 acres.
Which fish turn up most on lake pages near Orange County?
Largemouth bass leads the count of lake pages within 50 miles, then bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish; the DNR names them on lake and access records.
Which Orange County stores sell fishing tackle, per the listings?
1 listed shops, beginning with Patoka Lake Boat and Marine.
Which town serves as the Orange County county seat?
It is Paoli.
Do Orange County lakes require a fishing license?
A twelve-month Indiana license is $23 at resident rates and $60 at nonresident rates.
Which counties touch Orange County?
The next county guides over are Crawford County, Martin County and Lawrence County.
Which fisheries district do Orange County lakes fall in?
The DNR lake layer gives the county's own lakes the number for DNR fisheries district 6.
Where can I fish from shore in Orange County?
The DNR layer lists 1 pier or shore site, such as Olinger Lake shore access.
Which tournaments have used Orange County water?
7 events on file; the next is Phoenix BFL Team/Solo Patoka Lake (May 2027) on Patoka Lake, May 15, 2027.
Which Orange County lakes have special regulations?
The guide lists 1 special regulation water in this county, starting with Patoka Lake; the table above shows each.
What does the stocking dashboard show for Orange County?
The DNR dashboard carries 40 rows; the newest lists 500 Largemouth Bass, 3.37 in average (March 2021) in Kiddy Pond.
Choose a lake or stream in Orange County
Every lake page lists the fish the DNR names there.