Fishing near Mishawaka, Indiana
St. Joseph County, population 51,063 (2020 Census).
- 6 milesto nearest lake page
- 8ramps nearby
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What Mishawaka offers a Hoosier angler
Mishawaka is a city of St. Joseph County; 2020 Census population 51,063. Pinhook Lake sits around 6 miles to the northwest, the first lake with a page. Nearby, Simonton Lake leads on size with 303 acres (NHD outline area). Miami Island (Mishawaka) boat ramp on Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties), under a mile off, is the nearest ramp on the DNR layer.
Central Park (Mishawaka) on Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties) offers shore fishing 1 mile out.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Mishawaka; miles are straight lines.
Lakes in reach of Mishawaka
| Lake | Distance | Area | Max depth | Kind | Ramps | Fish the DNR names |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinhook Lake | 6 miles northwest | 32 acres (NHD outline area) | lake | 0 | bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike | |
| Mt Tea State Forest Lake | 8 miles east | lake | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass | ||
| South Chain (Szmanda) Lake | 11 miles west | 95 acres (NHD outline area) | lake | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass | |
| North Chain Lake | 11 miles west | 86 acres (NHD outline area) | 33 ft maximum depth (DNR Status & Trends survey, 2020) | lake | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie |
| Simonton Lake | 11 miles northeast | 303 acres (NHD outline area) | lake | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, common carp | |
| Pleasant Lake (St. Joseph County) | 12 miles southwest | 32 acres (NHD outline area) | 29 ft maximum depth (DNR Status & Trends survey, 2013) | lake | 1 | catfish, smallmouth bass, trout |
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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- Judy Creek2 miles, DNR put-and-take salmonid stream, DNR salmonid stream, 1 USGS gauge
- Willow Creek (St. Joseph County)3 miles, DNR put-and-take salmonid stream, DNR salmonid stream
- Eller Ditch5 miles, DNR put-and-take salmonid stream
- Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties)6 miles, DNR put-and-take salmonid stream, DNR salmonid stream, Lake Michigan tributary, 14 DNR access sites, 2 USGS gauges
- Cobus Creek7 miles, DNR put-and-take salmonid stream
- Baugo Creek9 miles, 21.3 mi of mapped NHD line in Indiana
Stream readings around Mishawaka
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph River At South Bend, In | 1,820 cfs, -0.06 ft gage height | Nov 6 9:15 pm |
| Judy Creek Near South Bend, In | 11 cfs, 2.34 ft gage height | Nov 6 9:30 pm |
| St. Joseph River At Elkhart, In | 1,780 cfs, 18.68 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.
Ramps, piers and lakes plotted around Mishawaka
- Miami Island (Mishawaka) boat ramp on Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties)Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties), concrete ramp, no fee recorded, under a mile
- Merrifield Park on Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties)Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties), concrete ramp, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded, under a mile
- Lincoln Park (Mishawaka) on Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties)Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties), concrete ramp, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded, 2 miles
- Twin Branch Dam boat ramp on Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties)Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties), boat ramp, ADA access, no fee recorded, 2 miles
- Prickett Landing on Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties)Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties), concrete ramp, fishing pier, courtesy dock, ADA access, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded, 2 miles
- Veteran's Memorial Park on Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties)Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties), concrete ramp, courtesy dock, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded, 3 miles
- Leeper Park on Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties)Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties), boat ramp, no fee recorded, 4 miles
- Baugo Bay boat ramp on Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties)Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties), gravel ramp, no fee recorded, 5 miles
Boatless options around Mishawaka
- Central Park (Mishawaka) on Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties)shore access, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded, 1 mile
- Frank Zappia shore access on Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties)shore access, restrooms, no fee recorded, 2 miles
- Woodlawn Park on Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties)shore access, no fee recorded, 6 miles
- Cobus Creek Parkfishing pier, ADA access, restrooms, no fee recorded, 6 miles
- Cobus Creek Park Pondfishing pier, restrooms, no fee recorded, 6 miles
- Pinhook Lake shore accessfishing pier, courtesy dock, restrooms, lights, no fee recorded, Electric only, 6 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.
Mishawaka bait and guide listings
Hooks and line for Mishawaka anglers
- Starboard Choice Marinemarina, Mishawaka, under a mile
- Stacy's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, South Bend, 2 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Mishawakasporting goods store, Mishawaka, 2 miles
- Wyland's Marinemarina, Mishawaka, 2 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Mishawakasporting goods store, Mishawaka, 3 miles
- Midway Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Osceola, 5 miles
- Kelley's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Lakeville, 12 miles
Hiring a guide out of Mishawaka
- Sea King Charterscharter, Granger, (269) 208-5064
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.
Club tournaments on lakes in reach of Mishawaka
Organizer schedule and results pages for events in St. Joseph County or within 20 miles, checked November 2026.
Record lines for lakes by Mishawaka
| Species | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskellunge | 42 lb. 8 oz. | James Lake | Kosciusko County | 2002 |
| Common Carp | 43 lb. 4 oz. | Pike Lake | Kosciusko County | 1989 |
| Chinook Salmon | 38 lb. | Trail Creek (LaPorte County) | La Porte County | 1980 |
| Steelhead Trout | 26 lb. 9.9 oz. | Trail Creek (LaPorte County) | LaPorte County | 1999 |
| Hybrid Striped Bass | 22 lb. 2 oz. | Tippecanoe River | Carroll County | 2005 |
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.
Guide rows for Mishawaka visitors
Hoosiers 18 and up pay $23 for a year of fishing; anglers from other states pay $60.
| 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.
Close to Mishawaka
Neighbouring places to Mishawaka
- Notre Dame4 miles
- Granger5 miles
- Osceola5 miles
- South Bend5 miles
- Elkhart11 miles
County fishing page covering Mishawaka
- St. Joseph Countyseat: South Bend
Piscifun reels to toss in the boat for Mishawaka
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Hoosier lakes and creeks near Mishawaka, on camera
Photo: Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Joseph Gage, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Fishing near Mishawaka, answered
Which paged lake can Mishawaka anglers reach soonest?
Pinhook Lake, 6 miles northwest.
How many miles separate Mishawaka from a public ramp?
Miami Island (Mishawaka) boat ramp on Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties) is the nearest, under a mile away.
Where can kids try a pier close to Mishawaka?
It is Central Park (Mishawaka) on Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties), some 1 mile off.
Which shop near Mishawaka keeps a minnow tank?
Starboard Choice Marine is listed under a mile from town.
Inside which county line is Mishawaka?
St. Joseph County; its county page maps every DNR ramp.
What does the DNR charge a Mishawaka visitor to fish?
Out-of-state anglers buy a $60 annual Indiana license, or $15 for a single day.
Which lake around Mishawaka maps the widest?
Simonton Lake maps at 303 acres (NHD outline area) and lies 11 miles off.
Which Hoosier towns flank Mishawaka?
The nearest town guides: Notre Dame (4 miles), Granger (5 miles) and Osceola (5 miles).
Which club events launch near Mishawaka?
9 events on file; the next is Michiana Fishing League at Lake of the Woods (Marshall County) (21 Mar 2027) on Lake of the Woods (Marshall County), March 21, 2027.
Which record list lines name water around Mishawaka?
Muskellunge, 42 lb. 8 oz., 2002, from James Lake.
Leave Mishawaka at first light
Each lake or river named above opens its own Indiana guide.