Lake Gage Fishing
This lake lies in Steuben County, 337 acres (NHD outline area).
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Taking stock of Lake Gage
Lake Gage is a lake in Steuben County; its mapped outline covers 337 acres (NHD outline area). Maximum depth from the 2015 DNR survey: 69 feet. Angola sits about 7 miles from the lake point, the nearest place on the Census list.
DNR hatchery releases appear here in 56 stocking rows. It is in the 2026 DNR trout plan as a planned release water.
Acres are the NHD outline area of the mapped lake (USGS National Hydrography Dataset via IndianaMap), not a DNR survey figure. Indiana DNR public lakes layer (county, owner, fisheries district number, location text), read November 5, 2026. Indiana DNR Status & Trends lake survey points (2015 survey), read November 5, 2026. Census 2023 places.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 What the DNR lake layer records for Lake Gage
- Owner (DNR)State
- DNR districtDNR fisheries district 2
- Public freshwater lakeon the Indiana list of public freshwater lakes
The attribute text for Lake Gage above is as the DNR stores it.
Indiana DNR public lakes layer (county, owner, fisheries district number, location text), read November 5, 2026.
Species on the DNR list for Lake Gage
At Lake Gage the list mirrors DNR labels; no angler reports went into it.
The latest DNR lake survey of Lake Gage
The 2015 survey of Lake Gage is where these numbers come from.
Indiana DNR lake layer and Fishing Access Sites species fields, Indiana DNR fish stocking dashboard (year, month, water, species, number and average length as listed; repeat stockings summed by DNR), read November 5, 2026; 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. Indiana DNR Status & Trends lake survey points (2015 survey), read November 5, 2026.
Ramps onto Lake Gage
The DNR layer carries no ramp for Lake Gage; check with the owner before towing.
More DNR launches that reach Lake Gage
- Lime Lake – use Lake Gage public access rampLime Lake, under a mile north
- Jimmerson Lake boat rampJimmerson Lake, 3 miles east
- Beaver Dam Lake boat ramp (north), Steuben CountyBeaver Dam Lake, 4 miles west
- Stayner Lake boat rampStayner Lake, 4 miles southwest
- Pigeon River (175 North) boat rampPigeon River, 5 miles southwest
- Pigeon River (SR 327) boat rampPigeon River, 5 miles southwest
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.
Mapped depths at Lake Gage
The DNR has published 1 contour map for Lake Gage.
Indiana DNR lake depth maps (PDF bathymetry by lake), read November 5, 2026.
Fingerlings and catchables added to Lake Gage
| Year | Month | Species as listed | Number | Avg length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | February | Rainbow Trout | 2,131 | 10.5 |
| 2025 | March | Rainbow Trout | 3,224 | 9.54 |
| 2024 | March | Rainbow Trout | 3,222 | 9.02 |
| 2023 | March | Rainbow Trout | 2,413 | 10.5 |
| 2022 | March | Rainbow Trout | 3,202 | 9.49 |
| 2021 | March | Rainbow Trout | 3,202 | 9.45 |
| 2020 | March | Rainbow Trout | 3,200 | 9.9 |
| 2019 | March | Rainbow Trout | 3,208 | 9.0 |
| 2018 | March | Rainbow Trout | 3,229 | 9.2 |
| 2017 | March | Rainbow Trout | 3,297 | 9.42 |
| 2016 | March | Rainbow Trout | 3,369 | 9.17 |
| 2015 | Multiple | Rainbow Trout | 9,100 | 9.39 |
DNR releases into Lake Gage, as the dashboard prints them.
Indiana DNR fish stocking dashboard (year, month, water, species, number and average length as listed; repeat stockings summed by DNR), read November 5, 2026.
Spring and fall trout at Lake Gage
| Season | Water as printed | Location | Planned number | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring lakes (mid-March to mid-April) | Lake Gage | 2,000 | Rainbow Trout |
The plan sets goals for Lake Gage, not counts of fish released.
Anglers 18 and older carry an Indiana fishing license ($23 a year for residents, $60 for nonresidents). Fishing for trout or salmon also needs the $11 trout/salmon stamp.
Indiana DNR 2026 trout stocking plan (updated March 20, 2026; planned targets, DNR notes actual numbers may vary), read November 5, 2026.
Indiana limits in force on Lake Gage
| Species as printed | 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) |
Those statewide guide rows govern Lake Gage unless a special regulation line says otherwise.
- Walleye size lineWalleye taken from all public waters (lakes, rivers, and streams) south of State Road 26 must be 14 inches or longer. Walleye taken north of State Road 26 must be 16 inches in length or longer, except for: Bass Lake (Starke County) and Wolf Lake (Lake County); minimum size 14 inches Lake George (Steuben County); minimum size 15 inches Wall Lake (LaGrange County); minimum size 16 inches with a daily bag limit of two walleye There is no minimum size requirement for saugeye on all state waters, except for Huntingburg Lake (Dubois County), Glenn Flint Lake (Putnam County), and Sullivan Lake …
Anglers 18 and older carry an Indiana fishing license ($23 a year for residents, $60 for nonresidents). Fishing for trout or salmon also needs the $11 trout/salmon stamp.
Statewide limits 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 marks set on Lake Gage
| Species | Weight as printed | Year | Water as listed | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brook Trout | 3 lb. 15.5 oz. | 1973 | Lake Gage | Steuben |
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.
Lake Gage beside its Indiana neighbours
Lake James covers the most water in this group around Lake Gage: 1,884 acres (NHD outline area).
| Lake | Distance | Size | DNR ramps | Stocking rows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Gage | this lake | 337 acres (NHD outline area) | 0 | 56 |
| Lime Lake | under a mile north | 57 acres (NHD outline area) | 1 | 0 |
| Bell Lake | 2 miles northeast | 48 acres (NHD outline area) | 0 | 0 |
| Jimmerson Lake | 3 miles east | not printed | 1 | 2 |
| Crooked Lake (Steuben County) | 3 miles southeast | 801 acres (NHD outline area) | 1 | 0 |
| Lake James | 4 miles east | 1,884 acres (NHD outline area) | 0 | 0 |
Indiana DNR lake layer, NHD outline areas, DNR Fishing Access Sites and stocking dashboard; read November 5, 2026.
A Hoosier back-road drive from Lake Gage
Other lakes a county or two from Lake Gage
- Lime Lakeunder a mile north
- Bell Lake2 miles northeast
- Jimmerson Lake3 miles east
- Crooked Lake (Steuben County)3 miles southeast
- Lake James4 miles east
Grab bait on the way into Lake Gage
- Marina Giftsmarina, Angola, 2 miles
- Corner Landingbait and tackle shop, Angola, 3 miles
- Lake Pleasant Marinemarina, Orland, 4 miles
- Clausen's Boat Housemarina, Angola, 5 miles
- Diamond Marine Servicesmarina, Angola, 5 miles
- The Complete Fishermanbait and tackle shop, Fremont, 6 miles
Indiana towns close to Lake Gage
- Angola7 miles
- Fremont9 miles
- Ashley13 miles
The counties Lake Gage passes through
- Steuben Countyseat: Angola
Piscifun gear a Hoosier angler might bring to Lake Gage
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Telling Lake Gage fish apart from a photo
Photo: robposse, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Midwest Region, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Lake Gage: questions Hoosier anglers bring up
Which Indiana county is Lake Gage in?
It lies in Steuben County, about 7 miles from Angola.
Roughly how big is Lake Gage, in acres?
About 337 acres (NHD outline area); the 2015 DNR survey found 69 feet at the deepest point.
Can I tow a bass boat to Lake Gage?
None is mapped on it; the closest DNR ramp is Lime Lake – use Lake Gage public access ramp, under a mile away.
What might bite for a Hoosier angler at Lake Gage?
Look for rainbow trout, steelhead trout, brown trout and brook trout; the DNR names them.
Which bass rule applies at Lake Gage?
The statewide lake row reads: 5, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass, size 14 inches.
Which Indiana license papers cover Lake Gage?
Anglers 18 and older carry an Indiana fishing license ($23 a year for residents, $60 for nonresidents). Fishing for trout or salmon also needs the $11 trout/salmon stamp. Under-18 anglers are exempt.
Can a bank angler without a boat work Lake Gage?
The access layer records no bank site for it.
Which listed shop can outfit a Hoosier trip to Lake Gage?
Stop at Marina Gifts, about 2 miles away,.
Which Indiana record entry names Lake Gage?
Brook Trout, 3 lb. 15.5 oz. (1973), is on the DNR record list for this water; the DNR list shown here leaves out angler names.
Is Lake Gage on the trout plan?
The 2026 plan lists Spring lakes (mid-March to mid-April) for Lake Gage (planned targets; actual numbers may vary). Anglers 18 and older carry an Indiana fishing license ($23 a year for residents, $60 for nonresidents). Fishing for trout or salmon also needs the $11 trout/salmon stamp.
Take the county road out to Lake Gage
Check the limits, then pick a ramp.