Fishing near Evansville, Indiana
Vanderburgh County, population 117,298 (2020 Census).
- 2 milesto nearest lake page
- 8ramps nearby
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Fishing out of Evansville
117,298 people lived in the city of Evansville (Vanderburgh County) at the 2020 count. Head west about 2 miles to reach Garvin Park Lake, the closest lake page. Pigeon River (Evansville Parks & Rec) boat ramp is the closest DNR boat ramp, 2 miles out.
Dress Plaza Ramp on Ohio River puts a boat on the Ohio River 3 miles from town. Shore fishing waits at Garvin Park Lake, roughly 2 miles from town.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Evansville; miles are straight lines.
Close lakes for Evansville anglers
| Lake | Distance | Area | Max depth | Kind | Ramps | Fish the DNR names |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garvin Park Lake | 2 miles west | lake | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, common carp | ||
| Evansville State Hospital Lake | 2 miles southeast | lake | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, common carp | ||
| Diamond Valley Lake | 3 miles northwest | lake | 0 | catfish, largemouth bass, channel catfish | ||
| Silver Lake (Vanderburgh County) | 4 miles west | lake | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish | ||
| Moutoux Park Lake | 4 miles northwest | lake | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish | ||
| Burdette Park Lake | 7 miles southwest | lake | 0 | 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.
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- Dress Plaza Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, fishing pier, lights, no fee recorded, 3 miles
- Ohio River (Newburgh Park Dept)concrete ramp, courtesy dock, fee: Entry Fee, 8 miles
- Alcoa boat ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, no fee recorded, 14 miles
Ohio River rows and reciprocity as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026. 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.
Flowing water close to Evansville
River stage around Evansville
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio River At Evansville, In | 14.79 ft gage height | Nov 6 10:00 pm |
| Pigeon Creek Near Evansville, In | 5.55 ft gage height | Nov 6 9:30 pm |
| Ohio River At Newburgh Lock And Dam, In | 14.49 ft gage height | Nov 6 10:00 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.
Mapped ramps and lakes by Evansville
- Pigeon River (Evansville Parks & Rec) boat rampPigeon River, boat ramp, lights, no fee recorded, 2 miles
- Dress Plaza Ramp on Ohio RiverOhio River, concrete ramp, fishing pier, lights, no fee recorded, 3 miles
- Otter Pit Blue Grass FWAOtter Pit, concrete & gravel ramp, no fee recorded, <10hp, 7 miles
- Blue Grass FWA New Harmony Rd on Loon PitLoon Pit, gravel ramp, no fee recorded, Electric only, 7 miles
- Ohio River (Newburgh Park Dept)Ohio River, concrete ramp, courtesy dock, fee: Entry Fee, 8 miles
- Blue Grass FWA Blue Grass Pit (south)Blue Grass Pit, concrete ramp, restrooms, no fee recorded, Electric only, 8 miles
- Blue Grass FWA Kansas Rd on Loon PitLoon Pit, concrete ramp, no fee recorded, Electric only, 8 miles
- Blue Grass FWA Ringneck PitRingneck Pit, concrete ramp, no fee recorded, Electric only, 9 miles
Walk-up fishing by Evansville
- Garvin Park Lakefishing pier, lights, no fee recorded, Electric only, 2 miles
- Garvin Park Lake (Garvin Park)urban fishing site, 2 miles
- Evansville State Hospital Lake shore accessshore access, no fee recorded, 2 miles
- Diamond Valley Lake shore accessfishing pier, restrooms, no fee recorded, 3 miles
- Diamond Valley Park Pond (Diamond Valley Park )urban fishing site, 3 miles
- Silver Lake shore accessshore access, no fee recorded, Electric only, 4 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.
Supplies and guides around Evansville
Tackle counters nearest Evansville
- Smith's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Evansville, under a mile
- Dwillsbait.Combait and tackle shop, Evansville, 1 mile
- Bait Bucketbait and tackle shop, Evansville, 2 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Evansvillesporting goods store, Evansville, 3 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Evansvillesporting goods store, Evansville, 3 miles
- Bucks & Jakes Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Evansville, 6 miles
- Buck's & Jake's Outfitters LLCbait and tackle shop, Boonville, 13 miles
Paid trips that leave near Evansville
- The Obsession Outdoorsfishing guide, (502) 548-6886
- Top 2% Guide Services LLCfishing guide, (573) 418-2148
- Twin Eagles Catfish Chartersfishing guide, (812) 719-6777
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.
Bass events within reach of Evansville
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 26, 2027 | Phoenix BFL Team/Solo Ohio River-Tanners Creek (June 2027) | Ohio River | Major League Fishing |
| July 10, 2027 | Phoenix BFL Team/Solo Ohio River-Rocky Point (July 2027) | Ohio River | Major League Fishing |
| Oct. 24, 2026 | IBF Trail 2026 Classic Tanners | Ohio River | Indiana Bass Federation |
| Aug. 23, 2026 | IBF Trail 2026 #5 Rocky Pt | Ohio River | Indiana Bass Federation |
| Aug. 9, 2026 | Phoenix BFL Hoosier Division Ohio River-Rocky Point (event 4) 2026 | Ohio River | Major League Fishing |
| Aug. 8, 2026 | Phoenix BFL Hoosier Division Ohio River-Rocky Point (event 3) 2026 | Ohio River | Major League Fishing |
| July 12, 2026 | IBF Trail 2026 #4 Tanners Creek | Ohio River | Indiana Bass Federation |
| May 2, 2026 | IBF 2026 Zone 4 Regional Championship | Ohio River | Indiana Bass Federation |
| Aug. 10, 2025 | IBF Trail 2025 #5 Tanners Creek | Ohio River | Indiana Bass Federation |
| July 13, 2025 | IBF Trail 2025 #4 Rocky Pt | Ohio River | Indiana Bass Federation |
Organizer schedule and results pages for events in Vanderburgh County or within 20 miles, checked November 2026.
Statewide limits near Evansville
An annual DNR fishing license runs $23 for residents and $60 for nonresidents, under-18s exempt.
| 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.
Around Evansville
Nearby towns with their own page, from Evansville
- Melody Hill3 miles
- Highland (Vanderburgh County)4 miles
- Darmstadt8 miles
- Newburgh8 miles
- Chandler9 miles
County page that takes in Evansville
- Vanderburgh Countyseat: Evansville
Piscifun tackle for the next run to Evansville
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Fish to know on sight at Evansville
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Asked about fishing near Evansville
Which lake does a Evansville angler hit first?
Garvin Park Lake, 2 miles west.
How long is the tow from Evansville to a ramp?
Roughly 2 miles out, at Pigeon River (Evansville Parks & Rec) boat ramp.
Where can a Evansville angler fish from shore?
Garvin Park Lake is the pick at 2 miles.
Where do Evansville anglers drive for tackle?
Smith's Bait & Tackle is listed under a mile from town.
Which county page lists Evansville among its towns?
Vanderburgh County.
What does a visitor staying in Evansville pay to fish?
Nonresidents spend $60 on the annual Indiana license, or $15 for a single day.
Which big lake sits in range of Evansville?
Garvin Park Lake, 2 miles away.
Which other Indiana towns could host a Evansville trip?
Look at Melody Hill (3 miles), Highland (Vanderburgh County) (4 miles) and Darmstadt (8 miles).
Do clubs hold events on lakes around Evansville?
13 events on file; the next is Phoenix BFL Team/Solo Ohio River-Tanners Creek (June 2027) on Ohio River, June 26, 2027.
Which Ohio River ramp is nearest Evansville?
Dress Plaza Ramp on Ohio River, 3 miles away.
Try the reservoirs near Evansville this year
Check a water's special rules before keeping fish.