Fishing Lake Manitou

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Lake Manitou Fishing Video
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Amenities
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Lake Manitou, IN

Popular Fish Species Lake Manitou, IN

Lake Trout Fishing

Year round, fishing for lake trout in Lake Manitou is often quite good and the fish are plentiful. These large trout prefer water below 60 degrees, however they can be caught from as shallow as 15 to 30 feet in Spring and Fall, to as deep as 150 feet or more during Summer and Winter. It is a monumental assistance to use fish finders, or other electronics to help in locating these roaming schools of lake trout. They feed on baitfish and other small fish, so jigs rigged to imitate their prey often work well straight down under the boat. Trolling with numerous set-ups can also produce good catches.

Lake Manitou Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Lake Manitou is considered an excellent bass fishing lake, as it has been for multiple years now. Anglers are catching bass in good numbers with largemouth bass in the 3 to 4-pound range showing up with some regularity. A history of careful fisheries management by the Indiana DNR, Fish & Wildlife has helped to maintain a thriving bass fishery. Recent results by bass fishing tournament participants, attest to the fact that fishing for largemouth bass has been quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 6 pounds being weighed in. In Lake Manitou, bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. If they seem disinterested in your presentations, try slowing down and use smaller, lighter baits. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time.

Lake Manitou Popular Fish - Yellow Perch

Yellow Perch Fishing

Yellow perch are great table fare, and are a food source for many predator fish in the lake. Yellow perch tend to spawn in the April to May timeframe, and the spawn has been strong for years at Lake Manitou. As a result, the lake continues to maintain a very healthy population of yellow perch, which have been a mainstay in the fishery for decades. Fishing for yellow perch is simple, their primary diet consists of minnows and other small fish, insects and worms. Yellow perch tend to gather in small groups and hang out on relatively deep structure, near cover and/or drop-offs. Use a small hook and sinker. Bait a small hook with minnows, worms or small jigs using 6 to 10 pound line.

Lake Manitou Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, warmouth, yellow perch and northern pike at Lake Manitou in Indiana.

A medium size lake in north central Indiana, Lake Manitou offers several species for fishing. This 775-acre lake is known for its excellent fishing opportunities, making it a popular destination among local anglers. Located on the southeast outskirts of Rochester, IN, there is easy access to lodging, dining and shopping. The lake is very scenic and tranquil with lots of "fishy" looking water. The best fishing is from a boat, but there is ample shoreline fishing available as well, including a handicap fishing pier near the dam.

Primary fish species residing in Manitou Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Manitou Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: TWO
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

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Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Lake Manitou Public Access
Located in the northwest corner of the lake, off Highway 14, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.