Indiana Border Waters and License Reciprocity
Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan arrangements, quoted from the Indiana guide.
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How Indiana licenses work on shared water
Indiana shares water with four states. The guide prints a license arrangement for each: reciprocity on the Ohio River main stem with Kentucky and on the Wabash with Illinois, a narrow reciprocal zone at Calumet Harbor, none at Wolf Lake or on the Great Miami River, and a whole-lake rule for residents on six lakes that straddle the Michigan line.
Ohio River: the Kentucky arrangement
Indiana and Kentucky — Ohio River — The reciprocal agreement allows residents of either state to fish the river proper (main stem) with either state’s fishing license. If you are fishing in a connecting tributary/embayment you'll need to have a fishing license for that particular state.
Border water text as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026.
Lake Michigan: the Illinois and Michigan arrangement
Lake Michigan — We share Lake Michigan borders with Illinois and Michigan. There is a reciprocal fishing zone in Calumet Harbor with Illinois—view details and boundary information in the Calumet Harbor reciprocal zone map (PDF) . There is NO license reciprocity anywhere else on our Lake Michigan border waters. Indiana licensed anglers will need an Illinois license to fish Illinois waters of Lake Michigan, and a Michigan license to fish Michigan waters of Lake Michigan, even if launching out of Indiana.
Border water text as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026.
Wabash River: the Illinois arrangement
Indiana and Illinois — Wabash River — Officers of Illinois and Indiana will recognize and accept valid sport fishing licenses of either state when legally possessed and used on the Wabash River forming a common boundary between Illinois and Indiana. Sport anglers shall not fish on water beyond the natural and ordinary river banks of the state in which they are not licensed to fish. Sport anglers shall not fish from land attached to or taxed by the state in which they are not licensed or fish in tributaries, bayous, or backwaters of the state. Sport anglers must abide by the laws of the state in which they are fishing.
Border water text as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026.
Wolf Lake: the Illinois arrangement
Indiana and Illinois — Wolf Lake — There is no reciprocal license agreement. Each state’s fishing license is needed to fish their respective waters.
Border water text as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026.
Great Miami River: the Ohio arrangement
Indiana and Ohio — Great Miami River — There is no reciprocal license agreement for this river. Each state's fishing license is needed to fish in their respective waters.
Border water text as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026.
Border lakes with Michigan: the Michigan arrangement
Indiana and Michigan — Residents of Indiana or Michigan may fish the whole lake, but must abide by the regulations in the waters they are fishing. Nonresident license holders (for either state) may only fish in the waters under which the jurisdiction applies for that nonresident license. Nonresidents would need Indiana and Michigan non-resident licenses to fish both sides. Clear Lake — Indiana, St. Joseph Co./South Clear Lake — Michigan, Berrien Co., Indiana Lake — Indiana, Elkhart Co./Michigan, Cass Co., Fish Lake — Indiana, LaGrange Co./Michigan, St. Joseph Co., Lake George — Indiana, Steuben Co./Michigan, Branch Co., Long Lake — Indiana, Steuben Co./Michigan, Hillsdale Co.
Border water text as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026.
Hoosier water pictured beside Indiana Border Waters and License Reciprocity
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Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
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Indiana border water license questions
Does an Illinois license work on the Wabash River?
Yes, where the Wabash forms the Illinois-Indiana boundary, within the river banks; not in Indiana tributaries, bayous or backwaters.
Can I fish Wolf Lake with an Illinois license?
Only the Illinois side; there is no reciprocal agreement, so each state’s license covers its own water.
Is there reciprocity on the Great Miami River?
No. Indiana and Ohio each require their own license there.
Which lakes straddle the Michigan line?
Clear Lake (St. Joseph County), Indiana Lake (Elkhart County), Fish Lake (LaGrange County), Lake George and Long Lake (Steuben County), as printed in the guide.
Can a Michigan resident fish all of Lake George?
Residents of either state may fish the whole lake under the rules of the side they are on; nonresidents need the license of each side they fish.
Does reciprocity cover Ohio River embayments?
No. Only the main stem; embayments and tributaries need that state’s license.
Do I need a Michigan license to fish Michigan waters of Lake Michigan from Indiana?
Yes, even when launching from an Indiana harbor.
Where do these texts come from?
The border waters part of the basic fishing information in the 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide, read November 5, 2026.