FISH LAKE
South Bend anglers have a real sleeper on their hands in Fish Lake.

"During our spring electrofishing bass surveys, it's not uncommon for us to handle over 500 largemouths before we see a 5-pounder, but this is a lake that breaks the rule," fisheries biologist Neil Ledet said.

According to Ledet, the shallow, weedy lake in northeastern Indiana is a virtual largemouth bass factory. There are a fair number of bigger bass as well, and some of them are huge.

"Everyone thinks they need to go to a big lake to catch a nice bass, but that's not the case," Ledet said. "During the spring 2006 survey on Fish Lake, we sampled a few 18- to 20-inch fish. Most of these are females that can run from 4 to 5 pounds or more. There is also lots of 15- to 16- inch bass. There's not a lot of fishing pressure, but it has increased some over the last year or so. The locals slip out there to enjoy it once in a while."

For three decades, the lake has consistently produced high numbers of well-fed, chunky bucketmouths. Most of these fish are released right back into the water as few anglers take them home.

June finds the bass in the postspawn mood, hanging in weedbeds off the shoreline. This natural lake is rich in submerged vegetation and provides plenty of bluegills for forage. Lily pads and cattail beds are abundant all around the lake.

Ledet points out that big black jig-and-pigs worked slowly through the cover will take some trophy bass on this lake.

Fish Lake is tucked away in Steuben County and only covers 59 acres. Anglers looking for a quiet pond-like experience should definitely check this little gem out.

The state-owned access is on the west side of the lake off county Road 325, a mile north of Fremont. There are no motor size restrictions, but a 10 mph, no-wake rule is in place. Ron Deak, former owner of the Fish Lake Campground, has been privileged to hear all sorts of stories, some of which are true. One such story is of an 8-pound, 24-inch largemouth bass that was taken from the lake. This one ended up being mounted.

"Fish Lake is perfect for spawning largemouths," Deak said. "The shoreline is surrounded by cattails and lily pads, which extend pretty far back."

Deak pointed out that most anglers are trying to catch the lake's bluegills and crappies, and that bass fishing isn't really the draw.

"One tournament angler told me that the only reason the fish are so big here is because they don't bite," Deak said.

But bite they will if you're patient and consider finesse tactics like plastic worms and other soft plastics.

Shoreline access is almost nonexistent. The only spot to tangle with a bass from the bank is from the public launch.

The lake is located about an hour east of South Bend and Elkhart off Interstate 80 and about the same distance north of Fort Wayne.