Greene-Sullivan State Forest lakes

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This page was last updated on NOV 29 2010 08:31 A.M.

Greene-Sullivan State Forest lakes
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Description:


Greene-Sullivan State Forest is composed of 8,000 acres of reclaimed surface mined land that includes the planting of several different species of trees that are managed for wildlife and timber production. The forest has more than 100 fishing lakes which have produced some record catches. Facilities include an archery range, boat launch ramp, camping, horseman's camp, dumping station, fishing and hunting, picnicking, trails and hiking.




Fish


Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.

Bait: bee moths, small jigs, crickets
Depth: 1-12 ft.


Comments about fish:

Bluegill fishing is dependent upon the weather fronts. Lighter tackle will have the best results. Fish are suspended near structures, try deeper water. Using light lines seems to work best.
Channel catfish
Description:
The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.

Bait: nightcrawlers, stink bait, livers
Depth: lake bottom 6-11ft.


Comments about fish:

Try Wampler, Graveyard, West, Reservoir 26, and Bass lakes.
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.

Bait: rubber worms, crank baits, and spinner baits
Depth: 3-12 feet


Comments about fish:

Fish are holding next to structures. Several reports of nice bass recently taken from Res. #26, and Wampler Lake. Bass are hitting on top of water baits best results would be early mornings and evenings.
Muskellunge
Description:
Members of the Pike family, the muskellunge, tiger muskellunge and northern pike have established themselves as remarkable adversaries through the years. The muskie, native to Indiana, is now usually found in stocked bodies of water. The northern pike, a voracious eater and popular among anglers, can be found in northern Indiana in natural lakes and streams. The muskie has three distinct color patterns, including green to silver "clear" sides, dark spots or dark vertical bars, six or more sensory pores on each side and scales covering only the top half of both cheeks. The muskie can weigh 10-20 pounds, but can reach weights over 30 pounds and lengths up to four feet long. Lures up to 12 inches are designed to resemble medium-sized fish and even small ducks.

Bait: minnow imitation crankbaits
Depth: deep to bottom


Comments about fish:

2008 preliminary survey report netted 64 muskie, ranging from 8 to 26 pounds. Bass, Black Cat, Duck, and West Lakes were stocked with 8 to 10 inch fingerlings in October 2009. Please let us know if you catch any muskie! We'd love to hear about it! Report of 42 inch muskie taken recently.
Rainbow or steelhead trout
Description:
Ever popular among Indiana anglers is the trout family, which includes the brown, lake and rainbow or steelhead trout. Many fisherman can be spotted on the shores during spawning season when the trout begin their runs into the tributaries. Rainbow or steelhead trout have a white mouth, teeth and gums and small black spots on their backs, sides, and caudal and dorsal fins. The caudal fin margin of the rainbow or steelhead trout is square and the fish has 9-12 anal fin rays.

Bait: Artificial lures, power bait
Depth: 15 - 40 ft


Comments about fish:

Airline Lake is closed from March 15th to April 1st. 750 Rainbow trout, all greater than 10 inches, were stocked during the week of 3-15-10.
White crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The white crappie has six dorsal spines, black side markings forming vertical bars rather than random spots and anal fin rays.

Bait: minnows, small jigs
Depth: 3 - 12 ft


Comments about fish:

Crappie can be found around submerged structures. Lots of good reports on Crappie fishing in the past couple weeks. No lake information available. Several crappie have been taken this past week.

Comments about body of water:


The water has been turned off and winterized. Winter camping rates now apply. Please continue to help us keep the lakes clean of litter! Fish are still pretty active. Narrow campground is closed for winter. Lake water levels are low.