Fishing near Hammond, Indiana
Lake County, population 77,879 (2020 Census).
- 4 milesto nearest lake page
- 6ramps nearby
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Casting from a Hammond base
The 2020 Census found 77,879 people in Hammond, a city of Lake County. Wolf Lake (Lake County) is the nearest lake with a guide, roughly 4 miles to the north. The nearest recorded ramp is Wolf Lake boat ramp, 4 miles away.
The coast is close: Pastrick Marina on Lake Michigan sits 4 miles off. The nearest DNR pier or shore site is L. Michigan Fishing Pier (E. Chicago), 4 miles away.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Hammond; miles are straight lines.
Lakes a drive from Hammond
| Lake | Distance | Area | Max depth | Kind | Ramps | Fish the DNR names |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolf Lake (Lake County) | 4 miles north | 438 acres (NHD outline area) | lake | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish | |
| Lake Etta | 6 miles southeast | lake | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass | ||
| Riggle Lake | 9 miles southeast | lake | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass | ||
| Three Rivers County Park Pond | 11 miles east | pond | 0 | |||
| Rosser Park Pond | 11 miles east | pond | 1 | bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish | ||
| Robinson Park Pond | 11 miles southeast | 17 acres (NHD outline area) | pond | 0 | channel catfish, catfish, redear sunfish |
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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Lake Michigan near Hammond sits on Lake Michigan, with 6 harbors and 7 big-lake launches on the DNR coast list.
- Pastrick Marina on Lake Michiganconcrete ramp, courtesy dock, ADA access, restrooms, lights, fee: Entry Fee, 4 miles
- L. Michigan Fishing Pier (E. Chicago)ADA access, no fee recorded, 4 miles
- Whiting Park on Lake Michiganconcrete ramp, fishing pier, restrooms, lights, 5 miles
- Wilhala Beach Co. Pk. boat ramp on Lake Michiganconcrete ramp, fishing pier, courtesy dock, ADA access, restrooms, lights, fee: Entry Fee, 5 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.
Creeks and rivers by Hammond
- Grand Calumet River3 miles, 2 USGS gauges
- Indiana Harbor Canal4 miles, 1 USGS gauge
- Little Calumet River10 miles, NRC Outstanding River (2013 list), DNR put-and-take salmonid stream, DNR salmonid stream, 7 USGS gauges
- Deep River14 miles, NRC Outstanding River (2013 list), 1 DNR access site, 3 USGS gauges
USGS stations close to Hammond
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Calumet River At Columbia Av At Hammond, In | 31 cfs, 6.04 ft gage height | Nov 6 10:00 pm |
| Indiana Harbor Canal At East Chicago, In | 969 cfs, 9.75 ft gage height | Nov 6 10:00 pm |
| Little Calumet River At Munster, In | 13 cfs, 5.34 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.
Hammond water on the map
- Wolf Lake boat rampWolf Lake, boat ramp, fishing pier, courtesy dock, restrooms, lights, fee: Entry Fee, 4 miles
- Pastrick Marina on Lake MichiganLake Michigan, concrete ramp, courtesy dock, ADA access, restrooms, lights, fee: Entry Fee, 4 miles
- Whiting Park on Lake MichiganLake Michigan, concrete ramp, fishing pier, restrooms, lights, 5 miles
- Wilhala Beach Co. Pk. boat ramp on Lake MichiganLake Michigan, concrete ramp, fishing pier, courtesy dock, ADA access, restrooms, lights, fee: Entry Fee, 5 miles
- Hammond Marina on Lake MichiganLake Michigan, concrete ramp, courtesy dock, ADA access, restrooms, lights, fee: Entry Fee, 5 miles
- Rosser Park PondRosser Park Pond, concrete ramp, restrooms, no fee recorded, Electric only, 11 miles
Pier rails within reach of Hammond
- L. Michigan Fishing Pier (E. Chicago)shore access, ADA access, no fee recorded, 4 miles
- Lake Michigan Fishing Pier (Hammond)fishing pier, ADA access, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded, 6 miles
- Lake Etta County Parkfishing pier, ADA access, restrooms, fee: Entry Fee, 6 miles
- Lake Etta County Park on Little Calumet Rivershore access, fee: Entry Fee, 6 miles
- Lake Michigan (State Line) shore accessshore access, restrooms, no fee recorded, 6 miles
- Riggle Lake (Lake Co. Park Dept)fishing pier, restrooms, lights, fee: Entry Fee, Electric only, 9 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.
Shops and guides for Hammond anglers
Live bait around Hammond
- Mik-Lurch Tackle Outlet Incbait and tackle shop, Hammond, 2 miles
- Cabela's Hammondsporting goods store, Hammond, 3 miles
- East Chicago Marinamarina, East Chicago, 4 miles
- Lake County Sherriffs Marine Unitmarina, East Chicago, 4 miles
- Stan's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Highland, 4 miles
- The Hammond Marina/Port Authoritymarina, Hammond, 5 miles
- Dockside Services Incmarina, Highland, 6 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Scherervillesporting goods store, Schererville, 7 miles
Charter captains handy to Hammond
- 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.
Record water near Hammond
| 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.
Bag rules for a day out of Hammond
Plan on $23 for a resident annual license, or $60 if you live outside Indiana. Lakefront salmon and trout call for a $11 trout/salmon stamp too.
| 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.
Next stops from Hammond
The next towns over from Hammond
- East Chicago3 miles
- Whiting4 miles
- Munster5 miles
- Highland (Lake County)5 miles
- Griffith7 miles
The county guide for Hammond
- Lake Countyseat: Crown Point
A Piscifun lineup sized for Hammond
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Hardwood shorelines around Hammond through a lens
Photo: Mike Maehr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: jaygannett, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Mike Steele, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Joseph Gage, CC BY-SA 2.0
Fishing from Hammond: questions
How many miles lie between Hammond and a lake guide?
Wolf Lake (Lake County), 4 miles north.
Which boat ramp is nearest Hammond?
Wolf Lake boat ramp wins at 4 miles.
Which DNR shore site is nearest Hammond?
About 4 miles to L. Michigan Fishing Pier (E. Chicago).
Who sells waxworms and minnows by Hammond?
Mik-Lurch Tackle Outlet Inc is listed 2 miles from town.
Which Indiana county includes Hammond?
Lake County covers it.
Which license suits a Hammond weekend?
Expect $60 for a year of Indiana fishing as a nonresident, or $15 for a single day. The coast adds a stamp for trout and salmon.
Which mapped lake near Hammond is biggest?
Wolf Lake (Lake County) maps at 438 acres (NHD outline area) and lies 4 miles off.
What other town guides sit close to Hammond?
East Chicago (3 miles), Whiting (4 miles) and Munster (5 miles) sit closest.
Which Indiana records came from water near Hammond?
Tiger Muskellunge, 24 lb., 1995, from Wolf Lake.
Can I fish Lake Michigan near Hammond?
Pastrick Marina on Lake Michigan, 4 miles away.