White River Fishing
Indiana river fishing in Daviess County and 13 other counties; NRC Outstanding River (2013 list).
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First Indiana notes on the White River
Across Daviess County and 13 other counties, the White River shows 346 miles of mapped NHD line. Indiana names it as NRC Outstanding River (2013 list). Martinsville is some 2 miles off, the closest town.
The DNR plots 20 ramps along its banks. It has 22 USGS gauges reporting.
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.
Outstanding River and trout stream status of the White River
- DesignationNRC Outstanding River (2013 list)
- Reach as listedFarmland to confluence with Wabash River
- Navigableon the Indiana navigable waterways list
Nothing above about the White River is our wording; it is list text.
Natural Resources Commission Outstanding Rivers list (2013), DNR put-and-take and salmonid stream layers, Indiana navigable waterways list; read November 5, 2026.
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| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| White River At Muncie, In | 36 cfs, 4.08 ft gage height | Nov 6 10:30 pm |
| White River At Anderson, In | 130 cfs, 4.32 ft gage height | Nov 6 10:30 pm |
| White River At Raible Avenue At Anderson, In | 125 cfs, 2.40 ft gage height | Nov 6 11:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 6, 2026 11:34 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USGS posts the White River values live, subject to review.
Dam pool and tailwater stages on the White River
| NWS gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White River (IN) at Raible Avenue in Anderson | 2.39 ft | 0.176 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 20:00:00 UTC |
| White River (IN) at Anderson | 4.33 ft | 0.13 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:30:00 UTC |
| White River (IN) below Broad Ripple Dam | 1.31 ft | – | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:15:00 UTC |
| White River (IN) at Broad Ripple | 2.98 ft | – | no flooding | 2026-11-05 20:15:00 UTC |
| White River (IN) near Centerton | 0.87 ft | 0.893 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 20:00:00 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 the Indiana DNR lists for the White River
Species for the White River come from DNR layers and tables only.
- DNR fish survey report 2021 (PDF)
- DNR fish survey report 2021 (PDF)
- DNR fish survey report 2021 (PDF)
- DNR fish survey report 2021 (PDF)
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.
Concrete and gravel slopes into the White River
| Site | Type | Recorded attributes | Managed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 116th Street boat ramp on White River | boat ramp | boat ramp, no fee recorded | Hamilton County Parks Department |
| Burnett Landing on White River | boat ramp | concrete ramp, ADA access, no fee recorded | Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area |
| Carnahan boat ramp on White River | boat ramp | concrete ramp, ADA access, no fee recorded | Division of Fish & Wildlife, Public Access South |
| Derby Downs Park on White River | boat ramp | concrete ramp, courtesy dock, no fee recorded | City of Anderson |
| Edgewater Park on White River | boat ramp | boat ramp, no fee recorded | City of Anderson |
| Elnora boat ramp on White River | boat ramp | concrete ramp, ADA access, no fee recorded | Division of Fish & Wildlife, Public Access South |
| Forest Park on White River | boat ramp | concrete ramp, ADA access, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded | Division of Fish & Wildlife, Public Access North |
| Gosport boat ramp on White River | boat ramp | boat ramp, no fee recorded | Division of Fish & Wildlife, Public Access South |
| Hazleton boat ramp on White River | boat ramp | concrete ramp, ADA access, no fee recorded | Division of Fish & Wildlife, Public Access South |
| Henderson Bridge boat ramp on White River | boat ramp | concrete ramp, ADA access, no fee recorded | Division of Fish & Wildlife, Public Access South |
| Noblesville boat ramp on White River | boat ramp | concrete ramp, ADA access, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded | City of Noblesville |
| Perkinsville Public Access Site on White River | boat ramp | concrete ramp, ADA access, no fee recorded | Division of Fish & Wildlife, Public Access South |
| Petersburg boat ramp on White River | boat ramp | concrete ramp, fee: Entry Fee | Division of Fish & Wildlife, Public Access South |
| Prather Park on White River | boat ramp | concrete ramp, restrooms, lights | Hamilton County Parks and Recreation |
| Spencer boat ramp on White River | boat ramp | boat ramp, no fee recorded | Division of Fish & Wildlife, Public Access South |
| Strawtown boat ramp on White River | boat ramp | concrete ramp, ADA access, lights, no fee recorded | Division of Fish & Wildlife, Public Access South/ Hamilton County Parks |
| Washington boat ramp on White River | boat ramp | concrete ramp, ADA access, no fee recorded | Division of Fish & Wildlife, Public Access South/ City of Washington |
| White River-Broad Ripple boat ramp | boat ramp | concrete ramp, courtesy dock, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded | Indy Parks |
| White River-Riverside Park | boat ramp | concrete ramp, no fee recorded | Indy Parks |
| Worthington boat ramp on White River | boat ramp | concrete ramp, ADA access, no fee recorded | Division of Fish & Wildlife, Public Access South |
| Hazel Dell Landing on White River | shore access | no fee recorded | Carmel Parks Department |
| Morrows Meadows Park on White River | shore access | restrooms, no fee recorded | Town of Yorktown |
| Riverwood Canoe Landing on White River | shore access | no fee recorded | Division of Fish & Wildlife, Public Access South/ Hamilton County Parks |
| Mounds State Park on White River | shore access | concrete ramp, restrooms, fee: Entry Fee | Mounds State Park |
| Koteewi Prairie Park on White River | shore access | restrooms, lights, no fee recorded | Hamilton County Parks Department |
| White River Campground shore access | fishing pier | fishing pier, lights, fee: Entry Fee | Hamilton County Parks Department |
| Three Rivers Public Fishing Area on White River | shore access | no fee recorded | Division of Fish & Wildlife, Public Access South |
| White River Wapahani Trail Raymond Street shore access | shore access | no fee recorded | Indy Parks and Recreation |
| White River Greenway Trail shore access | shore access | restrooms, no fee recorded | Morgan County Parks and Recreation |
| White River Wapahani Trail New York Street shore access | shore access | lights, no fee recorded | Indy Parks and Recreation |
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 stocking in the White River
| Year | Month | Species as listed | Number | Avg length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | June | Sauger | 4,455 | 1.46 |
| 2004 | June | Sauger | 32,304 | 1.55 |
| 2003 | Multiple | Sauger | 151,949 | 0.12 |
| 2002 | October | Largemouth Bass | 13,050 | |
| 2002 | October | Rock Bass | 9,697 | 0.05 |
| 2002 | October | Smallmouth Bass | 3,771 | 3.93 |
| 2002 | Multiple | Bigmouth Buffalo | 34 | |
| 2002 | Multiple | Channel Catfish | 68,377 | 1.35 |
| 2002 | Multiple | Flathead Catfish | 1,280 | 19.82 |
| 2002 | Multiple | Freshwater Drum | 139 | |
| 2002 | Multiple | Sauger | 199,045 | 0.41 |
| 2002 | Multiple | Shorthead Redhorse | 86 |
Indiana DNR fish stocking dashboard (year, month, water, species, number and average length as listed; repeat stockings summed by DNR), read November 5, 2026.
Keep rules for the White River
| 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 |
Moving-water rows for bass and catfish govern the White River.
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.
State record entries naming the White River
| Species | Weight as printed | Year | Water as listed | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flathead Catfish | 79 lb. 8 oz. | 1966 | White River | Lawrence |
| Bighead Carp | 53 lb. 8 oz. | 2000 | White River | Pike |
| Freshwater Drum | 30 lb. | 1963 | White River | Martin |
| Sucker | 12 lb. 3.3 oz. | 1991 | White River | Bartholemew |
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.
Lining up the White River against nearby streams
Nearest to the White River in this table: Mill Creek (Hendricks and Morgan Counties), some 15 miles out.
| Stream | Distance | Mapped NHD miles in IN | USGS gauges | DNR ramps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White River | this stream | 346 | 22 | 20 |
| Mill Creek (Hendricks and Morgan Counties) | 15 miles northwest | 49 | 2 | 0 |
| North Fork Salt Creek | 18 miles southeast | 44 | 1 | 0 |
| Raccoon Creek (Monroe and Owen Counties) | 21 miles southwest | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Clear Creek (Monroe County) | 24 miles south | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Driftwood River | 28 miles east | 15 | 1 | 2 |
USGS NHD and gauges, Indiana DNR Fishing Access Sites; read November 5, 2026.
Near White River
Nearby water to fish after White River
- Prather Lake2 miles
- Jimmy Nash City Park Pond3 miles
- Bryant Creek Lake6 miles
- Cherry Lake6 miles
Hoosier tackle stops handy to White River
- Curtis Fisheriesbait and tackle shop, Martinsville, 5 miles
- Lake Lemon Marinamarina, Unionville, 11 miles
- Fishun' Frannies Custom Baitsbait and tackle shop, Ellettsville, 15 miles
- Fish Indy Electronics & Guide Servicebait and tackle shop, Bloomington, 15 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Bloomingtonsporting goods store, Bloomington, 16 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Bloomingtonsporting goods store, Bloomington, 17 miles
Booking an Indiana guide for White River
- Broken Nock Bowfishingfishing guide, (812) 699-9607
- Dixon Guide Servicefishing guide, (317) 908-8984
- FightNFliesfishing guide, (317) 847-9141
- Go Fishin' with Clint, LLCfishing guide, (217) 369-4042
- Humes Outdoorsfishing guide, (812) 870-8359
- Mike's Fly Fishing Guide Servicefishing guide, (219) 765-3860
- Smallmouth Pursuit Guide Cofishing guide, (765) 366-7796
- Sweet Creek Smallmouthfishing guide, (765) 366-0407
Home bases for anglers fishing White River
- Martinsville2 miles
- Brooklyn11 miles
- Morgantown11 miles
Moving water past the White River drainage
- Mill Creek (Hendricks and Morgan Counties)15 miles
- North Fork Salt Creek18 miles
- Raccoon Creek (Monroe and Owen Counties)21 miles
- Clear Creek (Monroe County)24 miles
- Driftwood River28 miles
White River, broken out by Indiana county
- Daviess County
- Delaware County
- Gibson County
- Greene County
- Hamilton County
- Johnson County
- Knox County
- Madison County
- Marion County
- Monroe County
Piscifun reels to toss in the boat for White River
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Hardwood shorelines around White River through a lens

Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0

Photo: Rafaela Ely, CC BY 2.0

Photo: Serge Melki, CC BY 2.0

Photo: Sarah Stierch, CC BY 2.0
The White River: questions Hoosier anglers bring up
What part of Indiana does the White River drain?
Look in Daviess County and 13 other counties, and its mapped point is about 2 miles from Martinsville.
How far does the White River run?
The NHD map shows 346 miles of line in Indiana; that is a mapping figure, not a DNR survey.
Where is public access on the White River?
Use 116th Street boat ramp on White River or another of 39 access sites.
Are there smallmouth in the White River?
The DNR list starts with bluegill, common carp, catfish, channel catfish, crappie, flathead catfish and freshwater drum.
What is the bass rule on the White River?
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
Does a Hoosier fishing license cover the White River?
Anglers 18 and older carry an Indiana fishing license ($23 a year for residents, $60 for nonresidents).
How do I see current flow on the White River?
Check White River at Muncie, IN in the flow band.
Where do Hoosiers fishing the White River stock up on hooks?
Curtis Fisheries, about 5 miles away, is first on our list.
How does the state list the White River?
State lists name it: NRC Outstanding River (2013 list).
Has the White River produced an Indiana record-program fish?
Flathead Catfish, 79 lb. 8 oz. (1966), appears on the DNR record list; angler names are not printed here.
Put the White River on the calendar
River limits and fees are on the Indiana license page.

