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Fishing Eel River: what the data says
North Manchester to the Wabash at Logansport. a sleeper smallmouth float. The river tops out around 8 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Eel River
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Stockdale mill riffles is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for spring smallmouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Rock Bass fishing at Eel River
In spring, rock bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Stockdale mill riffles is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for spring rock bass. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening. Tie on a ned rig (small) or a marabou jig and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | 1/16 oz jig + grub, Small inline spinner |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | Ned rig (small), Marabou jig |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Small tube jig, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Tungsten jig + plastic, Small spoon + spike |
Channel Catfish fishing at Eel River
In spring, channel catfish run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for summer channel catfish. Best bite is after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday |
Common Carp fishing at Eel River
In spring, common carp run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Tailout eddy (mile 46.0): a eddy pocket around 4 ft that scores prime in winter. Best bite is early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday | |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday |
Notable structure
- Lake Perry Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Lowhead weir tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Lowhead weir tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 2.8): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 4.7): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 7.1): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 9.3): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 11.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 17.1): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 18.9): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 22.4): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 24.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 27.0): creek channel, around 6 ft
Common questions
How deep is Eel River?
Eel River is about 8 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Eel River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, channel catfish, common carp, rock bass on Eel River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Eel River?
Stockdale mill riffles is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Eel River?
For smallmouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Nyona Lake · Lukens Lake · Lake Manitou · Fletcher Lake · Mississinewa Lake · Kokomo Reservoir
See how Eel River stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Indiana · best channel catfish lakes in Indiana · best common carp lakes in Indiana · best rock bass lakes in Indiana
Browse all Indiana fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.