Fishing near Kokomo, Indiana
Howard County, population 59,604 (2020 Census).
- 4 milesto nearest lake page
- 2ramps nearby
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Casting from a Kokomo base
The 2020 Census found 59,604 people in Kokomo, a city of Howard County. Kokomo Reservoir is the nearest lake with a guide, roughly 4 miles to the east. Mississinewa Lake is the big one close by, 2,160 acres (NHD outline area). The nearest recorded ramp is Waterworks Park on Wildcat Creek, 2 miles away.
The nearest DNR pier or shore site is Burlington shore access on Wildcat Creek, 14 miles away.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Kokomo; miles are straight lines.
Lakes a drive from Kokomo
| Lake | Distance | Area | Max depth | Kind | Ramps | Fish the DNR names |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kokomo Reservoir | 4 miles east | 458 acres (NHD outline area) | reservoir | 1 | catfish, crappie, largemouth bass | |
| Bostwick Pond | 19 miles northeast | pond | 0 | bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch | ||
| Mississinewa Lake | 19 miles northeast | 2,160 acres (NHD outline area) | reservoir | 4 | bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish | |
| Eller Pond | 21 miles west | pond | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish | ||
| Morse Reservoir | 25 miles south | 1,440 acres (NHD outline area) | reservoir | 2 | bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie |
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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- Wildcat Creek12 miles, NRC Outstanding River (2013 list), 2 DNR access sites, 4 USGS gauges
USGS stations close to Kokomo
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Wildcat Creek At Kokomo, In | 24 cfs, 3.14 ft gage height | Nov 6 10:00 pm |
| Wildcat Creek Near Jerome, In | 30 cfs, 1.76 ft gage height | Nov 6 9:15 pm |
| Cicero Creek At Tipton, In | 8 cfs, 2.35 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.
Kokomo water on the map
- Waterworks Park on Wildcat CreekWildcat Creek, concrete ramp, no fee recorded, 2 miles
- Kokomo Parks & Recreation Dept. boat rampKokomo Reservoir, concrete ramp, ADA access, no fee recorded, 5 miles
Pier rails within reach of Kokomo
- Burlington shore access on Wildcat Creekshore access, no fee recorded, 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.
Corps reservoir pools near Kokomo
- Mississinewa Lake730.76 ft pool, 19 miles, read 2026-11-05 19:45:00 UTC
One dated reading per reservoir; it is a snapshot, not a live level.
USACE Louisville District pool as reported through the NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge MSSI3, read November 5, 2026 (one dated reading, not live; feet as published, datum not printed).
Shops and guides for Kokomo anglers
Live bait around Kokomo
- Bryant's Outdoor Storebait and tackle shop, Kokomo, 2 miles
Charter captains handy to Kokomo
- Nick Leisure Guide Servicefishing guide, (765) 432-1088
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 Kokomo
| Species | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Bass | 2 lb. 15 oz. | Morse Reservoir | Hamilton County | 2000 |
| White Bass | 4 lb. 3 oz. | Lake Freeman | Carroll County | 1965 |
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 Kokomo
Plan on $23 for a resident annual license, or $60 if you live outside Indiana.
| 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 Kokomo
The next towns over from Kokomo
- Russiaville8 miles
- Galveston9 miles
- Greentown9 miles
- Tipton13 miles
- Grissom AFB13 miles
The county guide for Kokomo
- Howard Countyseat: Kokomo
A Piscifun lineup sized for Kokomo
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Hardwood shorelines around Kokomo through a lens
Photo: Sarah Stierch, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Jim Hammer, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Daniel X. O'Neil, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Carmel Central, CC BY 2.0
Fishing from Kokomo: questions
How many miles lie between Kokomo and a lake guide?
Kokomo Reservoir, 4 miles east.
Which boat ramp is nearest Kokomo?
Waterworks Park on Wildcat Creek wins at 2 miles.
Which DNR shore site is nearest Kokomo?
About 14 miles to Burlington shore access on Wildcat Creek.
Who sells waxworms and minnows by Kokomo?
Bryant's Outdoor Store is listed 2 miles from town.
Which Indiana county includes Kokomo?
Howard County covers it.
Which license suits a Kokomo weekend?
Expect $60 for a year of Indiana fishing as a nonresident, or $15 for a single day.
Which mapped lake near Kokomo is biggest?
Mississinewa Lake maps at 2,160 acres (NHD outline area) and lies 19 miles off.
What other town guides sit close to Kokomo?
Russiaville (8 miles), Galveston (9 miles) and Greentown (9 miles) sit closest.
Which Indiana records came from water near Kokomo?
Yellow Bass, 2 lb. 15 oz., 2000, from Morse Reservoir.