Simonton Lake Fishing
DNR-listed lake water in Elkhart County, 303 acres (NHD outline area).
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What an Indiana angler should know about Simonton Lake
Elkhart County holds Simonton Lake, a lake measured at 303 acres (NHD outline area). From the DNR point it is under a mile to Simonton Lake.
Trailer boaters get 1 boat ramp on the DNR access map. The dashboard names it in 24 stocking rows.
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. Census 2023 places.
Where Simonton Lake sits, by the DNR layer
- Location (DNR)2 miles North of Elkhart on SR 19, then 1 mile East on CR 109
- Owner (DNR)DNR DFW, State
- DNR districtDNR fisheries district 2
- Public freshwater lakeon the Indiana list of public freshwater lakes
For Simonton Lake, the rows come straight from DNR map attributes.
Indiana DNR public lakes layer (county, owner, fisheries district number, location text), read November 5, 2026.
What swims in Simonton Lake, per the DNR
For Simonton Lake, these names come from DNR layers and tables only.
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.
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| Site | Type | Recorded attributes | Managed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simonton Lake boat ramp | boat ramp | concrete ramp, no fee recorded | Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area |
Launches worth knowing near Simonton Lake
- Sherman St. Bridge boat ramp on Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties)Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties), 4 miles south
- St. Joe River – Six Span Bridge boat ramp on Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties)Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties), 5 miles southeast
- Studebaker Park on Elkhart RiverElkhart River, 5 miles south
- Edgewater Park on Elkhart RiverElkhart River, 5 miles south
- McNaughton Park on Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties)Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties), 5 miles south
- Baugo Bay boat ramp on Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties)Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties), 8 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.
DNR bathymetry of Simonton Lake
DNR bathymetry for Simonton Lake: 2 contour maps.
Indiana DNR lake depth maps (PDF bathymetry by lake), read November 5, 2026.
Hatchery fish released into Simonton Lake
| Year | Month | Species as listed | Number | Avg length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | October | Walleye | 1,000 | 9.5 |
| 2022 | October | Walleye | 3,056 | 5.24 |
| 2021 | October | Walleye | 1,000 | |
| 2019 | October | Walleye | 1,000 | 7.0 |
| 2017 | October | Walleye | 1,000 | 6.5 |
| 2015 | October | Walleye | 1,024 | 7.0 |
| 2012 | October | Walleye | 1,030 | 7.0 |
| 2010 | October | Walleye | 1,030 | 7.0 |
| 2009 | October | Walleye | 1,009 | 7.0 |
| 2008 | October | Walleye | 1,004 | 7.0 |
| 2007 | October | Walleye | 1,095 | 7.0 |
| 2006 | October | Walleye | 1,220 | 7.0 |
Year, month, species and count for Simonton Lake as the dashboard lists 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.
How many fish leave Simonton Lake in your cooler
| 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) |
Unless the guide names Simonton Lake for a species, the statewide row decides.
- 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).
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.
Sizing Simonton Lake against nearby Indiana lakes
Goshen Dam Pond tops this table next to Simonton Lake with 126 acres (NHD outline area).
| Lake | Distance | Size | DNR ramps | Stocking rows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simonton Lake | this lake | 303 acres (NHD outline area) | 1 | 24 |
| Heaton Lake | 3 miles east | 91 acres (NHD outline area) | 0 | 6 |
| Mt Tea State Forest Lake | 5 miles southwest | not printed | 0 | 0 |
| Indiana Lake | 7 miles east | 40 acres (NHD outline area) | 0 | 0 |
| Fidler Pond | 15 miles southeast | not printed | 0 | 0 |
| Goshen Dam Pond | 15 miles southeast | 126 acres (NHD outline area) | 0 | 0 |
Indiana DNR lake layer, NHD outline areas, DNR Fishing Access Sites and stocking dashboard; read November 5, 2026.
Down the state road from Simonton Lake
A second lake to try after Simonton Lake
- Heaton Lake3 miles east
- Mt Tea State Forest Lake5 miles southwest
- Indiana Lake7 miles east
- Fidler Pond15 miles southeast
- Goshen Dam Pond15 miles southeast
Bait counters along the drive to Simonton Lake
- Midway Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Osceola, 7 miles
- Wyland's Marinemarina, Mishawaka, 10 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Mishawakasporting goods store, Mishawaka, 12 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Mishawakasporting goods store, Mishawaka, 12 miles
- Starboard Choice Marinemarina, Mishawaka, 12 miles
- Stacy's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, South Bend, 13 miles
Beds and diners within reach of Simonton Lake
- Simonton Lakeunder a mile
- Elkhart4 miles
- Bristol8 miles
Each county touching Simonton Lake, linked
- Elkhart Countyseat: Goshen
Spinning reels from Piscifun suited to Simonton Lake
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Simonton Lake, one question at a time
What part of Indiana holds Simonton Lake?
2 miles North of Elkhart on SR 19, then 1 mile East on CR 109. Aim for Elkhart County, under a mile from Simonton Lake.
What surface area goes with Simonton Lake on the Indiana map?
It covers 303 acres (NHD outline area).
Is there a public ramp at Simonton Lake?
A single DNR launch serves it, Simonton Lake boat ramp.
What fish live in Simonton Lake?
Expect bluegill, redear sunfish, common carp, largemouth bass and walleye, by DNR records.
Do I need to measure bass at Simonton Lake?
The statewide lake row reads: 5, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass, size 14 inches.
Which permit do I carry at Simonton Lake?
Anglers 18 and older carry an Indiana fishing license ($23 a year for residents, $60 for nonresidents). Anglers under 18 need none.
Is there walk-in shoreline along Simonton Lake?
The DNR has no shore site on file for it.
Where do I get minnows for Simonton Lake?
Head to Midway Bait & Tackle, about 7 miles away,.
Which fish has the DNR released into Simonton Lake?
The latest dashboard row: 1,000 Walleye, 9.5 in average (October 2023).
Point the truck toward Simonton Lake
Know what goes in the cooler before launching.