Fishing near Gary, Indiana
Lake County, population 69,093 (2020 Census).
- 3 milesto nearest lake page
- 8ramps nearby
Pick for largemouth bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo: Mike Steele, CC BY 2.0
The water around Gary
At the last Census the city of Gary in Lake County counted 69,093 residents. Some 3 miles southeast lies Three Rivers County Park Pond, nearer than any other lake guide. Of the nearby lakes, Grand Boulevard Lake is broadest at 40 acres (NHD outline area). Boats go in at Rosser Park Pond, about 3 miles away.
Lake Michigan is 6 miles out, at L. Michigan Fishing Pier (E. Chicago). Bank anglers can try Three Rivers County Park, about 3 miles away.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Gary; miles are straight lines.
Lake guides closest to Gary
| Lake | Distance | Area | Max depth | Kind | Ramps | Fish the DNR names |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three Rivers County Park Pond | 3 miles southeast | pond | 0 | |||
| Rosser Park Pond | 3 miles southeast | pond | 1 | bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish | ||
| Lake Etta | 3 miles southwest | lake | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass | ||
| Grand Boulevard Lake | 5 miles east | 40 acres (NHD outline area) | lake | 0 | catfish, bluegill, largemouth bass | |
| Robinson Park Pond | 5 miles south | 17 acres (NHD outline area) | pond | 0 | channel catfish, catfish, redear sunfish | |
| Riggle Lake | 6 miles southwest | lake | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass |
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 largemouth bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 The Lake Michigan shore by Gary
Lake Michigan near Gary touches Lake Michigan, where the DNR shoreline guide lists 6 harbors and 7 big-lake launches.
- L. Michigan Fishing Pier (E. Chicago)ADA access, no fee recorded, 6 miles
- Pastrick Marina on Lake Michiganconcrete ramp, courtesy dock, ADA access, restrooms, lights, fee: Entry Fee, 6 miles
- Portage Marina (Burns Waterway) on Lake Michiganconcrete ramp, courtesy dock, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded, 9 miles
- Portage Lakefront Park on Lake Michiganfishing pier, ADA access, restrooms, no fee recorded, 9 miles
Indiana DNR Lake Michigan fishing page and Lake Michigan section of the 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide, 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.
Gary area streams
- Little Calumet River2 miles, NRC Outstanding River (2013 list), DNR put-and-take salmonid stream, DNR salmonid stream, 7 USGS gauges
- Grand Calumet River5 miles, 2 USGS gauges
- Indiana Harbor Canal7 miles, 1 USGS gauge
- Deep River7 miles, NRC Outstanding River (2013 list), 1 DNR access site, 3 USGS gauges
- Salt Creek (Porter County)12 miles, DNR put-and-take salmonid stream, DNR salmonid stream, Lake Michigan tributary, 2 USGS gauges
USGS gauges near Gary
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Little Calumet River At Grant St At Gary, In | 6.19 ft gage height | Nov 6 10:15 pm |
| Grand Calumet River At Industrial Hwy At Gary, In | 321 cfs, 1.51 ft gage height | Nov 6 9:30 pm |
| Little Calumet River Near Lake Station, In | 3.09 ft gage height | Nov 6 10:15 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.
The Gary access map
- Rosser Park PondRosser Park Pond, concrete ramp, restrooms, no fee recorded, Electric only, 3 miles
- Bicentennial Park on Deep RiverDeep River, boat ramp, fishing pier, lights, no fee recorded, 6 miles
- Pastrick Marina on Lake MichiganLake Michigan, concrete ramp, courtesy dock, ADA access, restrooms, lights, fee: Entry Fee, 6 miles
- Portage Marina (Burns Waterway) on Lake MichiganLake Michigan, concrete ramp, courtesy dock, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded, 9 miles
- Whiting Park on Lake MichiganLake Michigan, concrete ramp, fishing pier, restrooms, lights, 10 miles
- Wilhala Beach Co. Pk. boat ramp on Lake MichiganLake Michigan, concrete ramp, fishing pier, courtesy dock, ADA access, restrooms, lights, fee: Entry Fee, 10 miles
- Wolf Lake boat rampWolf Lake, boat ramp, fishing pier, courtesy dock, restrooms, lights, fee: Entry Fee, 10 miles
- Hammond Marina on Lake MichiganLake Michigan, concrete ramp, courtesy dock, ADA access, restrooms, lights, fee: Entry Fee, 11 miles
Bank and pier spots out of Gary
- Three Rivers County Parkfishing pier, courtesy dock, restrooms, no fee recorded, 3 miles
- Lake Etta County Parkfishing pier, ADA access, restrooms, fee: Entry Fee, 3 miles
- Lake Etta County Park on Little Calumet Rivershore access, fee: Entry Fee, 3 miles
- Grand Boulevard Lake shore accessfishing pier, courtesy dock, lights, no fee recorded, Speed Limit, 5 miles
- Robinson Park Urban Fishing Siteshore access, restrooms, 5 miles
- Robinson (Robinson Park) on Robinson Park Pondurban fishing site, 5 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.
Gear and guides by Gary
Where Gary anglers buy minnows
- Isg Burns Harbor Platemarina, Gary, 1 mile
- Westforth Sport Shopbait and tackle shop, Gary, 4 miles
- Dockside Services Incmarina, Highland, 5 miles
- Slez's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Lake Station, 6 miles
- East Chicago Marinamarina, East Chicago, 6 miles
- Lake County Sherriffs Marine Unitmarina, East Chicago, 6 miles
- Stan's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Highland, 7 miles
- Mik-Lurch Tackle Outlet Incbait and tackle shop, Hammond, 7 miles
Licensed guides working near Gary
- Angry Pirate Fishing Charters, LLCcharter, (815) 546-2671
- Bite Me Fishing Charters LLCcharter, (219) 545-2265
- Boatre Dame Charterscharter, (765) 586-3174
- Brother Nature Charterscharter, (219) 394-2123
- Captain Q Charterscharter, Portage, (219) 869-0297
- Chicago Bass Fishing LLCcharter, (773) 733-3889
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.
Big Hoosier fish landed near Gary
| Species | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger Muskellunge | 24 lb. | Wolf Lake (Lake County) | Lake County | 1995 |
| Atlantic Salmon | 14 lb. 4 oz. | Lake Michigan | Lake County | 1979 |
| Brown Trout | 29 lb. 4.8 oz. | Lake Michigan | Lake County | 2006 |
| Burbot | 14 lb. 3.6 oz | Lake Michigan | Lake County | 2024 |
| Coho Salmon | 20 lb. 12 oz. | Lake Michigan | LaPorte County | 1972 |
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.
Limits on a trip out of Gary
A twelve-month Indiana license is $23 at resident rates and $60 at nonresident rates. Chasing salmon or trout on Lake Michigan adds the $11 trout/salmon stamp.
| 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.
Moving on from Gary
Town guides near Gary
- New Chicago4 miles
- Lake Station5 miles
- Griffith6 miles
- Hobart6 miles
- Highland (Lake County)6 miles
The county around Gary
- Lake Countyseat: Crown Point
Piscifun picks for a day out on Gary
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Picture ID for the fish swimming at Gary
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Questions on water around Gary
Which lake guide here sits closest to Gary?
Three Rivers County Park Pond, 3 miles southeast.
Where do Gary anglers launch a trailered boat?
It is Rosser Park Pond, some 3 miles off.
Which DNR shore site is the short drive from Gary?
Three Rivers County Park, a drive of 3 miles.
Where do Gary anglers get nightcrawlers?
Isg Burns Harbor Plate is listed 1 mile from town.
What Indiana county holds Gary?
It is in Lake County.
What does an annual license cost for a Gary visitor?
A visitor from another state pays $60 for the nonresident annual, or $15 for a single day. Big-lake trout or salmon need the stamp too.
Which large lake is a drive from Gary?
Grand Boulevard Lake maps at 40 acres (NHD outline area) and lies 5 miles off.
Which town guide is nearest to Gary?
Going by miles, New Chicago (4 miles), Lake Station (5 miles) and Griffith (6 miles) come first.
Has nearby water given Gary a state record?
Tiger Muskellunge, 24 lb., 1995, from Wolf Lake.
How far is Lake Michigan shore from Gary?
L. Michigan Fishing Pier (E. Chicago), 6 miles away.
Plan a Hoosier fishing trip from Gary
River guides carry access sites plus USGS gauges.