Spotted Bass in Indiana
Guide rows, record weight and lakes holding Indiana spotted bass.
- 5 a daybag
- 5 lb. 5 oz.record
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Indiana spotted bass, the essentials
The 2026-2027 Indiana guide covers spotted bass on its statewide line "Black Bass: largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass (in lakes)". The guide's daily entry: 5, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass. Length, per the guide: 14 inches.
In 2006, a water the DNR does not print gave up the state spotted bass record of 5 lb. 5 oz. Monroe Lake, Middlefork Reservoir and White River top a list of 3 Indiana pages where the DNR names it.
Spotted Bass (Micropterus punctulatus), Centrarchidae (sunfishes).
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| Where | Row as printed | Daily | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| statewide | Black Bass: largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass (in lakes) | 5, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass | 14 inches |
| statewide | 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 |
| statewide | Black Bass: largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass (in Lake Michigan) | 3, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass | 14 inches |
| Ohio River main stem | Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass | 6, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass | 12 inches No size limit on spotted bass |
Statewide limits as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026.
spotted bass on Lake Michigan and the Ohio River
| Water | Row as printed | Daily | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio River | Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass | 6, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass | 12 inches No size limit on spotted bass |
Lake Michigan and Ohio River rows as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026.
Record spotted bass in the DNR program
| Weight as printed | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 lb. 5 oz. | not printed | Vigo County | 2006 |
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.
Lakes and rivers with spotted bass on the DNR list
- Monroe Lake10,750 acres, Monroe County
- Middlefork Reservoir154 acres (NHD outline area), Wayne County
- White RiverDaviess County
Indiana DNR public lakes layer (county, owner, fisheries district number, location text), read November 5, 2026.
Kin of spotted bass in Indiana water
- Black Crappie25 a day
- Bluegillno bag limit
- Flierno statewide row
- Green Sunfishno statewide row
- Largemouth Bass5 a day
- Redear Sunfish25 a day
- Rock Bass25 a day
- Smallmouth Bass5 a day
- Warmouthno statewide row
- White Crappie25 a day
Piscifun gear a Hoosier angler might bring to Indiana spotted bass
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Glacial lakes, quarry pits and creek bends near Spotted Bass, photographed
Photo: Kevin Dooley, CC BY 2.0
Photo: LouisvilleUSACE, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Serge Melki, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
spotted bass in Indiana, reader questions
What is the daily bag for spotted bass in Indiana?
Statewide, the guide prints: 5, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass; size: 14 inches.
Which Indiana water produced the top spotted bass?
The program shows 5 lb. 5 oz. from a water not printed, 2006.
What Indiana lake should I try for spotted bass?
Try Monroe Lake, Middlefork Reservoir and White River, out of 3.
Are there special regulation waters for spotted bass?
It has no named local entry; each water's general rules still hold.
Which Indiana waters got spotted bass from the DNR?
The last release on the dashboard was 1967.
What does the DNR require to fish for spotted bass?
Anglers 18 and older carry an Indiana fishing license ($23 a year for residents, $60 for nonresidents).
Which scientific name does the DNR list use for spotted bass?
Micropterus punctulatus; family Centrarchidae (sunfishes), on the DNR Fishes of Indiana list.
Are Indiana free days open to spotted bass anglers?
The Indiana DNR set Free Fishing Days for May 10, June 6-7, and Sept. 26, 2026, for Indiana residents (no license or trout/salmon stamp needed; all other rules apply). Normal limits hold.
Go after Indiana spotted bass
Click into a Hoosier lake or stream above for its launches and special lines.