Indian Lake is easily one of central Ohio’s most popular lakes. Every year an estimated million or more visits are made to Indian Lake throughout the year. It’s a popular boating, fishing, and camping destination.

The 5,800-acre lake is a recreational boater’s paradise. Four state launch areas serve hundreds of boats during the summer months and more as the waterfowl hunting season arrives.

Indian is one of the more interesting lakes in Ohio with numerous islands, bays, inlets, channels, and a host of on-the-water restaurants, lounges, and marinas to round out the day. Even the McDonald’s restaurant has docks where hungry boaters can take a break. There is unlimited horsepower on the lake and skiing, tubing, and other water sports are popular.

The fishing is outstanding but highly weather dependent. The lake seldom reaches 6-foot depths and the fishing tends to shut down when the temperatures rise and the recreational boats are out in good numbers. Thousands of anglers try their luck at Indian during all four seasons and the lake’s robust ice-fishing reputation is well deserved.

The Division of Wildlife stocks hundreds of thousands of saugeyes in the lake every year and the result is one of the state’s most productive saugeye fisheries. Saugeyes are the hybrid cross between white bass and stripers and do exceptionally well in the somewhat turbid waters of the lake. A 3-year old fish can be 16 inches long and rival the walleye in both appearance and pan-fried flavor.
Largemouth bass tournament anglers visit the lake several times a year. Bass fishing can be tough but once anglers discover the northeastern “wildlife area” (not an official designation) channels, the fishing gets better.

Bluegills are big and tasty. Though the big ones are tough to locate the 7- and 8-inchers are worth the effort. Ice-fishing under the ice is a different story as these panfish are eager biters once the water cools off.

Crappie anglers take fish up to 11 and 12 inches on occasion. The slabs seemingly disappear after the spawn in the spring only to reappear in the fall along shoreline vegetation and wood docks.

Channel catfish have a loyal following. Thousands of nice-sized channel cats and an occasional flathead are taken around the lake in the evenings and throughout the night.
The Indian Lake State Park campground hosts over 500 electric sites and a few full-hook-up sites. It’s rated as one of the largest public campgrounds in Ohio. Numerous privately owned campgrounds provide seasonal camping opportunities as well. The state campground offers modern restrooms, a beach, laundry facilities, a camp store, and nature programs conducted by the naturalist.

Other recreational opportunities include a paved bicycle trail that borders the lake and rough foot trails through the woods. The Oldfield and Fox Island public beaches are good for sunbathing and swimming. Picnic facilities are scattered around the lake.

Contact the Indian Lake State Park office for additional information at (937)843-2717 or the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at (937)843-5392, or visit http://www.indianlakechamber.org online.