Fishing near Columbus, Indiana
Bartholomew County, population 50,474 (2020 Census).
- 10 milesto nearest lake page
- 8ramps nearby
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Columbus for anglers, in short
Columbus, a city in Bartholomew County, had 50,474 residents at the 2020 Census. Drive roughly 10 miles southwest and you reach Grouse Ridge Lake, the closest lake guide. A under a mile drive puts a trailer at Columbus boat ramp on Flatrock River.
Without a boat, head to Mt Tea State Forest Lake shore access on Mountain Tea Ridge, some 12 miles off.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Columbus; miles are straight lines.
Paged lakes ranked by miles from Columbus
| Lake | Distance | Area | Max depth | Kind | Ramps | Fish the DNR names |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grouse Ridge Lake | 10 miles southwest | lake | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish | ||
| Meadowlark Pit | 10 miles north | pit | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass | ||
| Plover/Sandpiper Pit | 10 miles north | pit | 3 | bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish | ||
| Eco Lake | 10 miles southeast | lake | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass | ||
| Mountain Tea Ridge | 12 miles west | lake | 0 | bluegill, largemouth bass | ||
| Cypress Lake | 13 miles south | lake | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, common carp |
Acres are the NHD outline area of the mapped lake (USGS National Hydrography Dataset via IndianaMap), not a DNR survey figure. Depths from DNR Status & Trends surveys with the survey year. 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.
For the redear sunfish herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Streams in reach of Columbus
- Driftwood River5 miles, NRC Outstanding River (2013 list), 2 DNR access sites, 1 USGS gauge
Live streamflow by Columbus
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork White River At Columbus, In | -3.35 ft gage height | Nov 6 10:00 pm |
| Haw Creek At East Columbus, In | 2.66 ft gage height | Nov 6 10:00 pm |
| Flatrock River At Columbus, In | 136 cfs, 3.09 ft gage height | Nov 6 9:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 6, 2026 10:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
NHD named flowlines, DNR river designations and USGS gauges (live readings); read November 5, 2026.
Where to launch near Columbus, mapped
- Columbus boat ramp on Flatrock RiverFlatrock River, concrete ramp, no fee recorded, under a mile
- Lowell Bridge boat ramp on Driftwood RiverDriftwood River, concrete ramp, no fee recorded, 4 miles
- Owen's Bend County Park on Flatrock RiverFlatrock River, boat ramp, ADA access, no fee recorded, 5 miles
- Bill Newton Public Access Site on Driftwood RiverDriftwood River, concrete ramp, ADA access, no fee recorded, 6 miles
- Azalia Bridge boat ramp on East Fork White RiverEast Fork White River, concrete ramp, no fee recorded, 9 miles
- Grouse Ridge PFA boat rampGrouse Ridge Lake, concrete ramp, no fee recorded, Electric only, 10 miles
- Driftwood PFA-Sandpiper Pit boat ramp on Plover/Sandpiper PitPlover/Sandpiper Pit, gravel ramp, no fee recorded, Electric only, 10 miles
- Meadowlark Pit boat rampMeadowlark Pit, gravel ramp, no fee recorded, Electric only, 10 miles
Shore access a quick hop from Columbus
- Mt Tea State Forest Lake shore access on Mountain Tea Ridgefishing pier, no fee recorded, 12 miles
- Sugar Creek Dam shore accessshore access, no fee recorded, Electric only, 13 miles
- Lake Cottonwood shore accessfishing pier, no fee recorded, Electric only, 13 miles
- Sundance Lake shore accessshore access, ADA access, no fee recorded, Electric only, 14 miles
- Pine Ridge Pond shore accessshore access, no fee recorded, Electric only, 14 miles
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.
Stocking up near Columbus
The nearest tackle aisles to Columbus
- Bobs bait and tacklebait and tackle shop, Edinburgh, 11 miles
- Bailey's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Nashville, 11 miles
- Ed's Trading Postbait and tackle shop, Nineveh, 14 miles
- Nineveh Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Nineveh, 14 miles
Yellow Pages, chain store and DNR property listings (miles only for shops with an exact point); DNR licensed guide list and tourism bureau charter listings; read November 5, 2026.
The record book around Columbus
| Species | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smallmouth Bass | 8 lb. 3.6 oz. | Monroe Lake | Monroe County | 2024 |
| Bighead Carp | 53 lb. 8 oz. | White River | Pike County | 2000 |
| Flathead Catfish | 79 lb. 8 oz. | White River | Lawrence County | 1966 |
| Freshwater Drum | 30 lb. | White River | Martin County | 1963 |
| Sucker | 12 lb. 3.3 oz. | White River | Bartholemew County | 1991 |
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. Waters within 40 miles.
Fish a Columbus angler may keep
The DNR fee table sets the yearly license at $23 for Indiana residents and $60 for everyone else.
| Species | 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) |
Statewide limits as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026. Lake and river pages print any special regulation entry. Indiana DNR license fees (license year April 1 to March 31), read November 5, 2026.
Beyond Columbus
Other Hoosier bases by Columbus
- Edinburgh10 miles
- Hope10 miles
- Prince's Lakes14 miles
- Nashville17 miles
- Country Squire Lakes17 miles
Which county holds Columbus
- Bartholomew Countyseat: Columbus
Piscifun gear a Hoosier angler might bring to Columbus
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Telling Columbus fish apart from a photo
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
What visitors to Columbus ask about fishing
Which lake guide is nearest Columbus?
Grouse Ridge Lake, 10 miles southwest.
Which recorded ramp is the quickest run from Columbus?
Under a mile to Columbus boat ramp on Flatrock River.
Where can Columbus anglers fish with no boat at all?
Mt Tea State Forest Lake shore access on Mountain Tea Ridge is nearest, 12 miles away.
Which tackle seller is listed closest to Columbus?
Bobs bait and tackle is listed 11 miles from town.
Which county page covers Columbus?
It lies in Bartholomew County.
What does a non-Hoosier pay to fish near Columbus?
The DNR nonresident annual license costs $60, or $15 for a single day.
Which lake near Columbus has the most area?
Grouse Ridge Lake, 10 miles away.
Which other towns are a quick drive from Columbus?
Nearby towns are Edinburgh (10 miles), Hope (10 miles) and Prince's Lakes (14 miles).
Did a state record fish come from near Columbus?
Smallmouth Bass, 8 lb. 3.6 oz., 2024, from Monroe Lake.
Choose your water near Columbus
Lake pages list ramps, depths and special rules.