SUMMIT LAKE
Anglers with a catch-anything-biting attitude will appreciate Summit Lake in Henry County.

“Summit offers the chance to catch quality-sized bluegills, redears and crappies,” said Rhett Wisener, a fisheries biologist with District 5. “Bass are also abundant and if the lake freezes over enough to allow you access, the deeper water has decent numbers of yellow perch. Walleyes are also a draw for quite a few anglers.”

There aren’t any magic spots on Summit, according to Wisener. The bluegills move around.

Summit Lake covers over 800 acres near New Castle, about an hour’s drive from Indianapolis. The lake will be the best option for Indy-area anglers if they’re serious about taking home a mess of fish.

Start out for bluegills in the bays during first ice and then in the Beaver Creek area in the northeastern end when the winter winds start howling. This area is shallow with bottom structure, weeds down to about 15 feet and is usually the first spot on the lake to freeze up.

Yellow perch, walleyes, crappies and even a few white bass and largemouth bass are taken through the ice at times at Summit Lake.

Perch are going to be roaming throughout the deeper water. When you find a school, live minnows will produce. When the fish are deep, a jig tipped with a soft-plastic trailer or a jigging spoon can work wonders.

The same holds true for walleye anglers. The ’eyes will likely be hugging the bottom, so a deep jig-and-minnow combination or heavy jigging and plastic might rouse some interest. Some anglers drill a hole or two for walleyes near the dam on the lake’s northwest corner.

Crappies are where you find them. No guarantees here, but when you find them, the action can be fast.

Bass anglers can try for a big Summit lunker. Fish up to 22 inches have been taken and are willing biters even in the cold winter months. Slow is the only speed the bass know when the temperatures are low and their metabolism has followed suit. A wacky-rigged worm, large minnow or weighted soft-plastic bait is going to be the ticket to success.

Summit is another Hoosier lake where winter catfishermen might do well. The channel cats are slow and lethargic and aren’t interested in traveling far to get a meal.

Start in the bays or in the shallow northeastern section of the lake for most everything swimming. Move on out into deeper water for the perch and walleyes.

Summit Lake is located eight miles northeast of New Castle at County Road 600N and Messick Road. Indianapolis anglers have about an hour’s drive to reach the lake.

Access on the ice is limited and calling ahead to the state park to see where it’s being allowed is a good idea and helps avoid any last-minute surprises.

For more information, contact District 5 at (765) 342-5527 or the Summit Lake State Park at (765) 766-5873. Lodging and other amenities can be found by contacting the Henry County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau at (888) 676-4302 or online at www.henrycountyin.com.