8 Great Fishing Spots Around Indy

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When the weather warms, flowers bloom and it has you itching to get outdoors, one thing you can try is fishing with a fixed blade fishing knife, a reliable tool for efficiently cleaning your catch and ensuring a successful day on the water. Whether you’re pursuing panfish in freshwater or trying to outwit elusive trout in a crystal-clear stream, having the best ultralight fishing rod can make all the difference. Indianapolis and the surrounding area offers some excellent family-friendly fishing locations if you’re interested in trying out new fishing accessories with a bit of catch-and-release fishing or if you’d like to take an entire day for deep sea fishing charters.

Some locations will allow you to take what you catch, but if you’re just looking to get outside for some fun, there’s plenty of spots you can get your rod and reel out, even if you’re in the heart of the city.

Knock the dust off your rod and reel, get yourself a fishing license and get ready to catch all the great fish Central Indiana has to offer. Don’t have your own reel yet? You may find these best spinning reels for walleye the right option for your fishing needs. Are you also looking for fishing guide Smith Mountain Lake? Contact Pullin Drag Striper Guide Service.

Here also are fishing spots in and around Indianapolis you should give a try this spring.

1. Riverside Park

Located on the near west side of Indianapolis the park is bounded by 38th street to the north and 18th street to the south. It stretches along the White River, which you can fish. There’s also a pond close to the Family Recreation Center that you can fish. According to the DNR, at Riverside, you’ll find carp, catfish, crappie, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.

Riverside Park

2420 E. Riverside Dr.

Indianapolis, IN

2. Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park

Another great option close to Riverside Park is the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park: 100 Acres. Located at Newfields on 38th street, this 100-acre park offers a 35-acre lake that is perfect for fishing with the family. There are numerous spots along the lake’s shoreline where you can cast out. You’ll find many of the same types of fish here as you will at Riverside as well as bluegill.

Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park: 100 Acres

1850 West 38th Street

Indianapolis, IN

7350 N College Ave

Indianapolis, IN

3. Pogue’s Run Art & Nature Park

You’ve probably driven past Pogue’s Run Art and Nature Park and not even known it. The park is located on Indy’s east side just south of I-70. Pogue’s Run is a small creek that winds its way through Indianapolis. At the park, there are ponds and wetlands, which are perfect for catch-and-release fishing. You’ll find mostly bluegill and bass here.

Pogue’s Run Art and Nature Park

2300 Dequincy St

Indianapolis, IN

4. Fall Creek Greenway

The Fall Creek Parkway Trail and Greenway runs from the intersection of E 25th St. and Meridian St. all the way to Fort Harrison State Park. Along this trail, there are numerous places where you can fish Fall Creek. Some of the best are up closer to Fort Harrison State Park where the creek passes by Lake Kesslerwood and Charlevoix Lake. There’s parking along the trail by Charlevoix Lake or you can park at the Skiles Test Nature Park and walk across Fall Creek Parkway to the trail to find a good place to fish. You’ll find the same fish species as you will in the White River in Fall Creek.

Fall Creek Parkway Parking

6846-6998 E Fall Creek Pkwy N Dr.

Indianapolis, IN

5. Eagle Creek Park

Looking for a large body of water to fish? The Eagle Creek Park is located around a large reservoir. There is a fee to get into the park and there’s a fee if you’d like to launch a fishing boat. It’s $5 per vehicle to enter the park and $3 per vessel. You don’t need a boat and can fish from the shoreline. You can also fish Lilly Lake and the Waterfowl Sanctuary as long as you stay on the bank. According to the DNR, you’ll find bluegill, red-ear, carp, catfish, crappie, striped bass, largemouth bass and walleye in the bodies of water here.

Eagle Creek Park Office

7840 W. 56th St.

Indianapolis, IN

6. Fort Harrison State Park

Fort Harrison State Park offers 1,700 acres of land. On those acres are a few lakes and creeks perfect for fishing. Delaware Lake is the first good option. There are also a few different ponds inside the park as well as Lawrence Creek and Fall Creek. You’ll find all of the same fish species here as you will in other Fall Creek fishing locations. Delaware Lake can be a little crowded at times, so be ready to get to the lake early if you don’t want to fish the creeks. There is a $7 fee for entering the park.

Fort Harrison State Park Entrance

6000 N. Post Road

Indianapolis, IN

7. Meadowlark Park

Meadowlark Park, located in Carmel, might only be 17 acres, but it offers quite a lot, including one of the best fishing ponds near Indianapolis. The lake is 1.8 acres and offers plenty of shoreline to fish from thanks to its unique shape. The pond is stocked monthly in April and June, and you can expect to find channel catfish, bluegill, red-ear and largemouth bass.

Meadowlark Park

450 Meadow Ln

Carmel, IN