Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties) Fishing
A creek of Hancock County and 4 other counties; NRC Outstanding River (2013 list).
Pick for bluegillPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Philip Brewer, CC BY 2.0
What an Indiana angler should know about Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)
Through Hancock County and 4 other counties, Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties) traces 78 miles of mapped NHD line. It carries the label NRC Outstanding River (2013 list). From the mapped point it is roughly 4 miles to New Palestine.
Boaters get 1 ramp on the DNR layer. Flow data comes from 3 USGS gauges.
USGS NHD named flowlines (mapped length in Indiana, not a DNR figure); Indiana DNR stream designation layers and Fishing Access Sites, read November 5, 2026.
How the DNR classes Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)
- DesignationNRC Outstanding River (2013 list)
- Reach as listedInclusive within Johnson and Shelby Counties
- Navigableon the Indiana navigable waterways list
State lists supplied Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties) entries above.
Natural Resources Commission Outstanding Rivers list (2013), DNR put-and-take and salmonid stream layers, Indiana navigable waterways list; read November 5, 2026.
USGS stations on Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar Creek At New Palestine, In | 15 cfs, 2.65 ft gage height | Nov 6 11:30 pm |
| Sugar Creek Near Boggstown, In | 34 cfs, 3.78 ft gage height | Nov 6 11:30 pm |
| Sugar Creek Near Edinburgh, In | 76 cfs, 3.80 ft gage height | Nov 7 12:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 7, 2026 12:34 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties) USGS panel is provisional.
NWS gauges on Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)
| NWS gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar Creek (central) near Edinburgh | 3.83 ft | 0.0801 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 20:00:00 UTC |
| Sugar Creek (central) at New Palestine | 2.67 ft | 0.0157 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:30:00 UTC |
| Sugar Creek (central) near Boggstown | 3.77 ft | – | not defined | 2026-11-05 19:30:00 UTC |
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
USGS instantaneous values, provisional.
Species on the DNR list for Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)
Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties) names follow DNR wording.
Indiana DNR 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.
For the bluegill herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Ramps and access sites on Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)
| Site | Type | Recorded attributes | Managed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atterbury FWA on Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties) | boat ramp | concrete ramp, no fee recorded | Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area |
| Sugar Creek Dam shore access | shore access | no fee recorded, Electric only | Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area |
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.
What can go home from Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)
| Species as printed | Daily limit | Size limit |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Bluegill | Unlimited | no size limit |
| Redear Sunfish | 25 | 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 |
| 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 |
| Northern Pike | 3 | 24 inches; no more than one 30 inches or longer |
For Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties), use the stream rows for bass and catfish.
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.
Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties) in the Indiana record list
| Species | Weight as printed | Year | Water as listed | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Bass | 3 lb. | 1969 | Sugar Creek | Hancock |
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.
Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties) beside other Indiana streams
For a second option near Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties), Big Blue River lies about 12 miles away.
| Stream | Distance | Mapped NHD miles in IN | USGS gauges | DNR ramps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties) | this stream | 78 | 3 | 1 |
| Big Blue River | 12 miles east | 76 | 2 | 4 |
| Fall Creek (Delaware and Hamilton Counties) | 13 miles north | 54 | 4 | 1 |
| Little Blue River (Henry and Rush Counties) | 18 miles southeast | 41 | 1 | 0 |
| Eagle Creek (Boone and Hamilton Counties) | 24 miles northwest | 36 | 6 | 1 |
| Flatrock River | 25 miles southeast | 91 | 4 | 3 |
USGS NHD and gauges, Indiana DNR Fishing Access Sites; read November 5, 2026.
Down the state road from Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)
A second lake to try after Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)
- Beckenholdt Park Pond5 miles
- Paul Ruster Park Pond6 miles
- Dubarry Park Pond North9 miles
- Dubarry Park Pond South9 miles
Bait counters along the drive to Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)
- Anglers Worldfly shop, Greenfield, 6 miles
- The Bait Barnbait and tackle shop, Indianapolis, 11 miles
- Geist Marinamarina, Indianapolis, 12 miles
- Corp Fishers Rcrbait and tackle shop, Fishers, 13 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Indianapolis, 6020 E 82nd Streetsporting goods store, Indianapolis, 14 miles
- Flymasters of Indianapolisbait and tackle shop, Indianapolis, 15 miles
Hiring a Hoosier guide for Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)
- Dixon Guide Servicefishing guide, (317) 908-8984
- FightNFliesfishing guide, (317) 847-9141
- Mike's Fly Fishing Guide Servicefishing guide, (219) 765-3860
- Smallmouth Pursuit Guide Cofishing guide, (765) 366-7796
- Sugar Creek Anglersfishing guide, (765) 401-6034
- Sweet Creek Smallmouthfishing guide, (765) 366-0407
- Two Forks Guide Service, LLCfishing guide, (317) 223-6590
Beds and diners within reach of Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)
- New Palestine4 miles
- Cumberland5 miles
- Greenfield5 miles
Neighbouring streams of Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)
- Big Blue River12 miles
- Fall Creek (Delaware and Hamilton Counties)13 miles
- Little Blue River (Henry and Rush Counties)18 miles
- Eagle Creek (Boone and Hamilton Counties)24 miles
- Flatrock River25 miles
Each county touching Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties), linked
- Hancock County
- Henry County
- Johnson County
- Madison County
- Shelby County
Spinning reels from Piscifun suited to Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)
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Hoosier lakes and creeks near Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties), on camera
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: pepplerchristine, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Serge Melki, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Tom Britt, CC BY 2.0
Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties), one question at a time
How do I find Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)?
Find it in Hancock County and 4 other counties, and its mapped point is about 4 miles from New Palestine.
What length is given for Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)?
The NHD map shows 78 miles of line in Indiana; that is a mapping figure, not a DNR survey.
Is there a ramp on Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)?
Start at Atterbury FWA on Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties), one of 2 access sites.
What fish are in Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)?
Expect bluegill, catfish, redear sunfish, smallmouth bass and rock bass, by DNR records.
What bass rules apply on Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)?
The guide row for rivers and streams reads: 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
Which Indiana permit belongs in the tackle box for Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)?
Anglers 18 and older carry an Indiana fishing license ($23 a year for residents, $60 for nonresidents).
What is the stage on Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)?
Look for Sugar Creek at New Palestine, IN above.
Where do I get crawlers for Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)?
Head to Anglers World, about 6 miles away,.
What state status does Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties) have?
State lists name it: NRC Outstanding River (2013 list).
Is there a record from Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)?
Rock Bass, 3 lb. (1969), appears on the DNR record list; angler names are not printed here.
Watch the gauge, then float Sugar Creek (Hancock and Henry Counties)
Know the slot before the first cast.