Fishing in Vanderburgh County, Indiana
County seat: Evansville. Population 180,136 (2020 Census).
- 10lake pages
- 2DNR boat ramps
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Vanderburgh County for the angler, in short
At the 2020 count Vanderburgh County had 180,136 residents, with county offices in Evansville. Lakes inside the county show DNR fisheries district 6 in DNR data. Kentucky lies across the Ohio from Vanderburgh County; DNR data lists 1 access site on this side.
Reflection Lake is the largest of the 10 county lakes with a page here. The DNR Fishing Access Sites layer places 2 boat ramps inside the county. DNR access data also shows 12 piers and shore sites. DNR stocking data lists 254 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 Vanderburgh 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 Vanderburgh County
| Lake | Area | Max depth | Kind | Ramps | Fish the DNR names |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reflection Lake | 8 acres (NHD outline area) | lake | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish | |
| Burdette Park Lake | lake | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, common carp | ||
| Diamond Valley Lake | lake | 0 | catfish, largemouth bass, channel catfish | ||
| Evansville State Hospital Lake | lake | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, common carp | ||
| Garvin Park Lake | lake | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, common carp | ||
| Moutoux Park Lake | lake | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish | ||
| Scott Township Park Pond | pond | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass | ||
| Silver Lake (Vanderburgh County) | lake | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish | ||
| USI New Lake | lake | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass | ||
| USI Pond | pond | 0 | 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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The Ohio River page has the river limits; here are the county's access sites.
- Dress Plaza Ramp on Ohio RiverOhio River, concrete ramp, fishing pier, 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 Vanderburgh County
Bars count lake guides within 50 miles of Evansville 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 Vanderburgh County roll
These 1 Vanderburgh County waters are listed until the DNR publishes more on them.
| Water | Kind | Area | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Evansville State Hospital Pond | pond | Evansville |
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.
Vanderburgh County creeks with a guide
Other named creeks through Vanderburgh County (1)
- Bayou Creek6.3 mi of mapped NHD line in Indiana
Vanderburgh County stream gauges, live
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio River At Evansville, In | 14.45 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:00 am |
| Pigeon Creek Near Evansville, In | 5.50 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:30 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.
Stage and discharge notes by Vanderburgh County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio River at Evansville | 14.94 ft | 68.8 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 20:00:00 UTC |
| Ohio River at Newburgh Lock and Dam | 15 ft | 59 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 20:00:00 UTC |
| Ohio River at Henderson | 13.12 ft | 68.2 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:45:00 UTC |
| Big Creek (IN) above Wadesville | 1.85 ft | 0 kcfs | not defined | 2026-11-05 19:15:00 UTC |
| Pigeon Creek (IN) above Fort Branch | 3.5 ft | – | not defined | 2026-11-05 19:30:00 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).
Vanderburgh County launch sites on the DNR layer
- Dress Plaza Ramp on Ohio RiverOhio River, concrete ramp, fishing pier, lights, no fee recorded
- Pigeon River (Evansville Parks & Rec) boat rampPigeon River, boat ramp, lights, no fee recorded
Piers and shore access across Vanderburgh County
- Burdette Park LakeBurdette Park Lake, fishing pier, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded, Electric only
- Diamond Valley Lake shore accessDiamond Valley Lake, fishing pier, restrooms, no fee recorded
- Diamond Valley Park Pond (Diamond Valley Park )Diamond Valley Lake, urban fishing site
- Garvin Park LakeGarvin Park Lake, fishing pier, lights, no fee recorded, Electric only
- Garvin Park Lake (Garvin Park)Garvin Park Lake, urban fishing site
- Moutoux Park LakeMoutoux Park Lake, shore access, restrooms, no fee recorded, Electric only
- Reflection Lake shore accessReflection Lake, shore access, lights, no fee recorded
- Scott Township ParkScott Township Park Pond, fishing pier, restrooms, lights
- USI New Lake shore accessUSI New Lake, fishing pier, no fee recorded
- Evansville State Hospital Lake shore accessEvansville State Hospital Lake, shore access, no fee recorded
- Silver Lake shore accessSilver Lake, shore access, no fee recorded, Electric only
- USI Pond shore accessUSI Pond, 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.
Vanderburgh County stocking history
| Year | Month | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Avg length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | October | Burdette Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 490 | 8.33 |
| 2026 | October | Evansville State Hospital Lake | Channel Catfish | 420 | 8.33 |
| 2026 | October | Reflection Lake | Channel Catfish | 228 | 8.33 |
| 2026 | October | Scott Township Park Pond | Channel Catfish | 150 | 8.49 |
| 2026 | Multiple | Diamond Valley Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,013 | 10.26 |
| 2026 | Multiple | Garvin Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,320 | 9.71 |
| 2025 | October | Burdette Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 700 | 7.59 |
| 2025 | October | Evansville State Hospital Lake | Channel Catfish | 800 | 7.59 |
| 2025 | October | Reflection Lake | Channel Catfish | 600 | 7.59 |
| 2025 | Multiple | Diamond Valley Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,163 | 10.32 |
| 2025 | Multiple | Garvin Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,585 | 9.45 |
| 2024 | October | Burdette Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 350 | 9.09 |
| 2024 | October | Evansville State Hospital Lake | Channel Catfish | 400 | 9.09 |
| 2024 | October | Reflection Lake | Channel Catfish | 300 | 9.09 |
| 2024 | October | Scott Township Park Pond | Channel Catfish | 150 | 8.64 |
| 2024 | Multiple | Diamond Valley Lake | Channel Catfish | 863 | 11.44 |
| 2024 | Multiple | Garvin Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,447 | 11.43 |
| 2023 | October | Burdette Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 350 | 9.52 |
| 2023 | October | Evansville State Hospital Lake | Channel Catfish | 400 | 9.52 |
| 2023 | October | Reflection Lake | Channel Catfish | 600 | 9.52 |
| 2023 | Multiple | Diamond Valley Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,215 | 11.17 |
| 2023 | Multiple | Garvin Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,635 | 10.66 |
| 2022 | October | Burdette Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,400 | 7.33 |
| 2022 | October | Evansville State Hospital Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,580 | 7.33 |
| 2022 | October | Reflection Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,200 | 7.53 |
| 2022 | Multiple | Diamond Valley Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,763 | 9.39 |
| 2022 | Multiple | Garvin Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 2,720 | 8.66 |
| 2021 | October | Burdette Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 560 | 11.26 |
| 2021 | October | Evansville State Hospital Lake | Channel Catfish | 640 | 11.26 |
| 2021 | October | Garvin Park Lake | Rainbow Trout | 550 | 7.28 |
Trout plan targets in Vanderburgh County
| Season | Water as printed | Location | Planned number | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall (mid-to-late October) | Garvin Park Lake, Evansville | 550 | Rainbow 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.
Guide limits that cover Vanderburgh County
The statewide limits cover Vanderburgh 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 Vanderburgh 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 Vanderburgh County (2)
| Water (counties) | Species | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Burdette Park lakes (Vanderburgh) | Black Bass | No minimum size limit |
| Garvin Park Lake (Vanderburgh) | 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 Vanderburgh County
| Species | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Catfish | 37 lb. 8 oz. | Lake | Vanderburgh County | 1980 |
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 Vanderburgh County
Vanderburgh 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 Vanderburgh County
Vanderburgh County bait shops and marinas
- Bait Bucketbait and tackle shop, Evansville
- Bucks & Jakes Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Evansville
- Dwillsbait.Combait and tackle shop, Evansville
- Smith's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Evansville
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Evansvillesporting goods store, Evansville
- Dick's Sporting Goods Evansvillesporting goods store, Evansville
Vanderburgh County fishing guides
- The Obsession Outdoorsfishing guide, (502) 548-6886
- Top 2% Guide Services LLCfishing guide, (573) 418-2148
- Twin Eagles Catfish Chartersfishing guide, (812) 719-6777
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 Vanderburgh County
Town pages for Vanderburgh County
- Evansvillepop. 117,298
- Highland (Vanderburgh County)pop. 4,435
- Melody Hillpop. 3,689
- Darmstadtpop. 1,373
Neighbours of Vanderburgh County
- Posey County15 miles west
- Warrick County18 miles east
- Gibson County21 miles north
- Spencer County31 miles east
Spinning reels from Piscifun suited to Vanderburgh County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Fish to know on sight at Vanderburgh County
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: robposse, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Heath Alseike, CC BY 2.0
Vanderburgh County fishing questions
Does Vanderburgh County offer a public boat ramp?
The DNR lists 2 boat ramps; Dress Plaza Ramp on Ohio River is the first.
Which Vanderburgh County lake has the most mapped area?
Reflection Lake, at 8 acres (NHD outline area).
What species does the DNR name on lakes around Vanderburgh County?
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.
Where does a Vanderburgh County angler buy minnows?
Start at Bait Bucket; the county list has 6.
In which town are the Vanderburgh County offices located?
The seat is Evansville.
What does a non-Hoosier pay to fish in Vanderburgh County?
Indiana residents buy the annual license for $23; out-of-state anglers spend $60.
Which Indiana counties are close to Vanderburgh County?
Look at Posey County, Warrick County and Gibson County next.
Does the DNR number a district for Vanderburgh County lakes?
The DNR lake layer gives the county's own lakes the number for DNR fisheries district 6.
Is there shore access in Vanderburgh County?
The DNR layer lists 12 piers and shore sites, such as Burdette Park Lake.
How many events list Vanderburgh 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 Vanderburgh County lakes break from the statewide limits?
The guide lists 2 special regulation waters in this county, starting with Burdette Park lakes; the table above shows each.
Are Vanderburgh County lakes stocked?
The DNR dashboard carries 254 rows; the newest lists 1,320 Channel Catfish, 9.71 in average (Multiple 2026) in Garvin Park Lake.
Which record weights name Vanderburgh County as the county?
Channel Catfish, 37 lb. 8 oz., 1980, from Lake.
Is there Ohio River access in Vanderburgh County?
Along the Ohio River, Vanderburgh County holds 1 access site in the DNR access layer.
Fish Vanderburgh County for a whole weekend
River pages carry USGS gauges that update themselves.