APRIL
Lake Monroe
Largemouth Bass
Lake Monroe in Brown and Monroe counties is the largest lake in the state. It covers more than 10,000 acres and is home to staggering numbers of largemouth bass. The bass have plenty of places to hide, too, since this reservoir is absolutely full of submerged timber, underwater points, winding creek arms and shallow flats.

Coves and creek arms filled with flooded and rotting timber attract large numbers of bass throughout the year, but especially in the springtime. These areas tend to warm up first, attracting insects, baitfish and bass.

Monroe is home to a large gizzard shad population, and the bass gorge themselves on these baitfish. Bass anglers would do well to use lures that resemble shad, like chrome colored crankbaits and large-bladed spinnerbaits. Jigs and soft-plastic baits also work well.

MAY
Wabash River
Channel Catfish
The Wabash River is home to a tremendous catfish fishery along its entire wandering course, and countless numbers of anglers spend time here in search of their favorite whiskered quarry. Although good numbers of big flathead catfish inhabit this waterway, channel catfish are the main target of most fishermen during the warm weather months.

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.

Like most rivers in Indiana, the Wabash is full of fallen trees, tangled root wads and brushy underwater obstructions. Many stretches of the river are quite shallow, but there are plenty of deeper cuts and holes, too. The deeper holes near woody logjams are prime spots to catch good numbers of these eager-to-bite catfish.

Channel cat enthusiasts will use an amazing assortment of baits when fishing for their prey. Live night crawlers, live minnows, grasshoppers, cut shad, chicken livers and prepared stink baits are all popular baits.

JUNE
Patoka Lake
Largemouth Bass
Bass anglers around the state head for southern Indiana’s Patoka Lake in June. This sprawling 8,800-acre reservoir is absolutely loaded with largemouth bass, and there are plenty of big ones, too. Located south of the town of French Lick and extending into Orange, Dubois and Crawford counties, Patoka is a mecca for serious bass fishermen.

Patoka Lake is almost completely surrounded by Hoosier National Forest lands, so it is undeveloped and beautifully pristine. Dense woodlands reach right down to the water’s edge in some places, while in others, there are rocky outcroppings and ledges that extend down into the depths. Flooded timber and vast weedbeds are located throughout the lake, too, offering endless places to wet a line.

According to Tim Gibson, a local fishing guide on Patoka Lake (812-936-3382), the bass really relate to the weedbeds here. “Anywhere you find weeds on Patoka, you are bound to find some fantastic bass action,” he said.

There is no shortage of food for the bass here, so growth rates are excellent. Gizzard shad are the primary forage, but small bluegills, sunfish and crayfish are also a large part of the bass’ diet. Fishermen should use lures that resemble these natural foods for the best results.

There are several public boat ramps located around the lake, so access to Patoka is very good. For boat rentals or other information on the lake, call Patoka Lake Marina at