Hybrids will stack up along the riprap banks and along the face of the dam. They also like the stream channels. Hybrids have the option of moving between deep water and shallower water by congregating along the channels.

There are many ways to catch hybrids in the fall. Some people will continue trolling with deep-diving stick baits, which is a very popular summer method. Others will use downriggers with big striper baits to get down in deep water.

The No. 1 prey fish for the hybrids is shad. Therefore, by finding the big schools of shad, anglers can usually locate hybrids hovering below. Of course, this is where a depthfinder is very important.

These fish will sometimes be shallower when following shad in the fall. Anglers can often cast various shad-resembling baits and do quite well. Rattle-type baits seem to be especially popular on the lake in the fall.

Biologist Dave Kittaka may be reached at the District 6 fisheries office at (812) 279-1215.

HARDY LAKE
Crappies
One of the favorite fall species is the crappie. A great place to target papermouths is at Hardy Lake in Scott County. This 745-acre water sees the heaviest crappie fishing pressure from April through June, but there is also a strong contingent of fall papermouth anglers there, according to District 8 fisheries biologist Larry Lehman.

There are some really decent crappies in the lake and they are much sought after by anglers. A creel survey conducted in 2003 showed crappies to be the second most harvested fish in the lake. There were a total of around 12,000 crappies harvested, which ranged in size from 5 1/2 inches to 14 1/2 inches.

Lehman said DNR sampling was also performed that same year using both electro-fishing and nets. Biologists sampled fish up to 10 inches, but Lehman said that is not really indicative of the fishery there. He said crappies are a little harder to sample than some fish species.

Growth of crappies in the lake is good and over half of the fish sampled were 8 inches or longer. Crappies will generally reach 8 inches by their third year at Hardy Lake. Growth in 2003 was considered to be above average.

During the spring, a very popular area of the lake with crappie anglers is the upper end where there is standing timber. Anglers will often hit the backs of bays looking for shallow-water fish. These areas can also be good at times during the fall.

However, Lehman said crappies can also be found suspended during the fall. Locating them can be a little trickier in the fall, but once found, anglers can enjoy great fishing success. Lehman said anglers should remember to fish in the top 15 feet of water until after the turnover. By mid-October, Lehman said crappies could be found most anywhere in the water table.

A variety of methods will work for fall crappies. Of course, many anglers choose the old stand-by minnows. Other folks will use jigs, jigs tipped with minnows or twistertail baits. Lehman said the water quality in the lake is good and the lake is easily accessible from four boat ramps. There is also one marina on the lake. There is a 25-fish daily creel limit. More information can be obtained by calling the Hardy Lake Office at (812) 794-3800.

Indiana has a wide range of fall fishing opportunities. If one of these areas isn’t near you or to your liking, there’s probably another that will more suit your needs. The DNR’s Web site, the fishing regulations guide, and your district fisheries offices can be great assets to planning a fall fishing trip. Now, let’s get out there and wet a line!

Find more about Indiana fishing and hunting at: IndianaGameandFish.com.