Lake levels tend to fluctuate widely during February, March, and April and water is frequently turbid. Water clarity is the best from July to October. Current tailwater flows and reservoir levels can be obtained from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website.
Boaters need to be aware of small amounts of driftwood floating freely in the lake from Late April through early June. Dora ramp is the deepest ramp and the only ramp that can provide boat access through December when the reservoir is at winter pool. Shallow water markers are taken out of the water during late fall so be aware of shallow areas.
Though ice fishing can be hazardous at times due to fluctuating water levels and sloped ice, it usually provides excellent opportunity for white crappie.
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White Crappie
Salamonie Reservoir offers excellent crappie fishing throughout the year. Good fishing success is found throughout the lake for boat anglers. Anglers in boats will find good crappie fishing throughout the lake near fish attractors, off points, and wooded inlets. The marina cove, the SR 105 causeway, Majenica Creek bridge, CR 750 E, the Dora cul-de-sac, and CR 680 E are all good bank-fishing spots.
Ice fishing is excellent for crappie from late December to late February. During this time of year, fish are concentrated in the lowered lake. The SR 105 causeway, Dora-New Holland, and the beach are popular ice fishing spots. There are several fish attractors installed for fishermen at various locations throughout the lake (map available at the Visitor Center).
Channel Catfish
When the Salamonie Reservoir is at summer pool, good fishing for catfish can be found near the shoreline near the Pirates Cove Marina. Many anglers walk down the Lost Bridge West Boat Ramp and along the shoreline to their fishing spots. Catfish anglers can also be successful in other coves and fingers of the lake. The Salamonie River upstream of the lake is a good fishery for channel catfish. Anglers are more successful in stretches of the river that are slow and deep.
White Bass
White bass fishing is sporadic in the lake. Fishing for white bass can be good at certain times. Populations often fluctuate due to flood events and cyclic shad populations. White bass fishing is good in the tailwater throughout the warmer months. White bass fishing is good in the Salamonie River just upstream of the Reservoir in the spring.
Walleye
Walleye can be caught in the tailwater all year long. Walleye are rarely caught in the Salamonie Reservoir.
Walleye fishing is especially good in the tailwater during spring and fall. In the spring, anglers like to fish right downstream of the dam in the deep holes. This area is difficult to fish when the discharge is above 900 CFS due to fast current and high water. There are many snags near the outflow pipe if the water is high. Current tailwater flows can be obtained from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website.
The confluence of the Salamonie River and the Wabash river, along with deep holes in the Salamonie River along the Salamonie River State Forest offer good walleye fishing from spring to fall. DNR personnel stock walleye fingerlings into Salamonie Reservoir each year.
Black Bass, Bluegill, and Redear Sunfish
Public property ponds on Salamonie Reservoir property provide good fishing opportunity for panfish such as bluegill, redear sunfish, and largemouth bass. Salamonie Reservoir offers 10 fishing ponds that hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, redear, and channel catfish.
Hominy Ridge Lake in the Salamonie River State Forest provides good opportunity for bluegill, redear sunfish, and largemouth bass. Bluegill and largemouth bass can also be caught infrequently in the Salamonie Reservoir. The Salamonie River offers decent smallmouth bass opportunity upstream and downstream of the reservoir during late summer and early fall.
Property Regulations
In reference to the type of water specified in the Indiana Fishing Guide, the boundary between the Salamonie River and Reservoir is located 2,300 feet downstream of the western Car-top boat ramp in Wildlife Management Unit 6.
In addition to the fishing regulations set forth in the Indiana Fishing Guide, there are additional rules for Salamonie Reservoir ponds.
Boat motors are restricted to electric motors only on Hominy Ridge Lake at the SRSF and all SR property ponds. Additionally, a lake permit is required to fish by boat on SR, Hominy Ridge Lake at the SRSF, and all property ponds on SR property.
Hominy Ridge Lake has special regulations in place for bluegill and redear sunfish. The limit for bluegill and redear sunfish is 15 singly or in the aggregate.
Bowfishing is prohibited on Hominy Ridge Lake and all property ponds on SR property.
