Fishermen in Indiana are very fortunate these days. After all, the Hoosier State enjoys a year-round fishing season, so excellent angling opportunities abound no matter what time of year it is. From January to December, there are always some species of fish (often several species) that are biting in our lakes and rivers.

Whether you prefer to fish small farm ponds, large reservoirs, weedy natural lakes or slow-flowing rivers, Indiana has it all. Our public waters are home to tremendous populations of bass (largemouth and smallmouth), bluegills, crappies, catfish, pike, muskies, trout, salmon and more. From north to south, there is bound to be a fishing hotspot near you.

To help narrow down your choices, Indiana Game & Fish magazine has compiled a list of great spots to fish for some of our most popular game fish species throughout the year. Plan your upcoming fishing trips month by month, or choose a hotspot or two and plan an entire vacation around it!

Here are our picks for this year:

JANUARY
Lake Wawasee
Northern Pike
Ice-anglers on Lake Wawasee in northeast Kosciusko County have plenty of opportunities to chase their favorite fish. Some fishermen will target panfish, while others will concentrate on bass. The ultimate fish for many anglers, however, are toothy northern pike. And at more than 3,400 acres, Lake Wawasee has plenty of room to grow pike of trophy proportions!

Although pike can be found anywhere on this lake, some spots are definitely better than others. There are a large number of underwater humps, holes and sharp dropoffs scattered around the lake. Points, shallow flats and submerged weedbeds also offer an abundance of cover. Pike anglers typically use tip-ups when fishing in the winter here. Large live shiners or bass minnows are the preferred bait, but oversized dead baits are good, too. Set the tipups along the deeper weed edges and underwater points for the best action.

Be advised that parking is limited for ice-fishermen at Lake Wawasee. Be sure to get permission before parking on or crossing private property.

FEBRUARY
Lake Michigan
Brown Trout
Winter fishing on Indiana’s portion of Lake Michigan generally revolves around one fish species: brown trout. Shore-fishermen will target chunky browns all winter long, and February is one of the best months to pursue these game fish. A few hardy boaters also get in on the fun, but only if the weather cooperates enough to keep the launch ramps clear of ice.

Brown trout are popular with winter anglers because they are relatively easy to find. Browns love warm water, and at this time of year the only place warm water is available is at one of several industrial warmwater discharge sites along the lakefront. Some real monster browns are caught from these spots, too. Although most browns will average 2 to 5 pounds, fish in excess of 20 pounds are always possible.

Shore-fishermen often use a combination of live bait and artificial lures to tempt wary browns. Night crawlers, salmon eggs and frozen alewives are top natural baits. Spoons, minnow-imitating crankbaits and small jigs tipped with cut squid are productive lures. Trollers should use stick baits and rattling crankbaits for the best action. Natural finishes like silver and gold are always good, but brighter colors like green, chartreuse and firetiger are also very productive.

Since early-season trout are mainly found at warmwater discharge sites, savvy anglers will concentrate their efforts at those locations. Boaters can try their luck at warmwater discharges inside the Indiana Harbor Ship Canal near East Chicago and at the U.S. Steel property in Gary. Other hotspots (for both boaters and shore anglers) include the state line generating station near Hammond, the Amoco Oil refinery in Whiting and the Nipsco plant near Portage

MARCH
St. Joseph River
Steelhead Trout
Spring is in the air, and the steelhead fishing on the St. Joe River is really beginning to heat up. Both Skamania-strain and Michigan-strain steelhead are stocked annually in the river, and the typical fish ranges in size from 6 to 12 pounds. Many fish in the teens are caught each year, too, and even bigger fish are possible.

These mature steelhead have been in the river all winter and are finally getting ready to spawn. Gravel bars are the places to look, because that’s where the fish will build their redds (nests). Dick Parker, a fishing guide and tackle shop owner from Mishawaka (574-255-7703), always looks for gravel bars in March. “It’s dynamite on the gravel,” he said. “Leeper Park is good -- anywhere you’ve got gravel, you can catch fish!”

Steelhead will hit a wide variety of natural baits and lures, but some are better than others. Salmon eggs, night crawlers, wax worms and cut squid are excellent natural baits. Hot lures include rattling crankbaits, in-line spinners and flies. Productive lure colors can span the spectrum, but silver, gold, pink, orange (and combinations of these colors) are always good.