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Fishing White River (West Fork): what the data says
Indianapolis to Worthington. sleeper smallmouth and big-flathead water. The river tops out around 20 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 White River (West Fork)
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 6 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 20 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Broad Ripple riffles: a rock pile around 5 ft that scores prime in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Channel Catfish fishing at White River (West Fork)
In spring, channel catfish run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 6 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 20 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Spencer deep bends: a creek channel around 16 ft that scores prime in summer. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft | midday |
Flathead Catfish fishing at White River (West Fork)
Spring flathead catfish on White River (West Fork) hold shallow, usually 5 to 20 ft. Summer fish stay in 5 to 20 ft, and winter fish hold in 6 to 20 ft. Tailout eddy (mile 34.2) is the standout, a eddy pocket at roughly 11 ft, rated prime for spring flathead catfish. Best bite is after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | night & dusk | |
| Summer | 5 to 20 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft | night & dusk | |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft | midday |
Largemouth Bass fishing at White River (West Fork)
Start shallow in spring: largemouth bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 8 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 20 ft. The spot to know is Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5), a creek channel in about 15 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in fall. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Tie on a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Spinnerbait, Chatterbait |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Texas-rigged 10" worm, Deep-diving crankbait |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Squarebill crankbait (shad), Spinnerbait |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft | midday | Blade bait, Jigging spoon |
Common Carp fishing at White River (West Fork)
In spring, common carp run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. By summer they slide out to 3 to 15 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 20 ft. The spot to know is Tailout eddy (mile 34.2), a eddy pocket in about 11 ft of water that rates prime for common carp in winter. Best bite is early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | |
| Summer | 3 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | |
| Fall | 5 to 18 ft | midday | |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft | midday |
Longnose Gar fishing at White River (West Fork)
In spring, longnose gar run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 1 to 12 ft, and winter fish settle into 6 to 20 ft. Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 15 ft, rated prime for fall longnose gar. Best bite is midday and the evening. Tie on a rope lure or a small white spinner and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | midday | Rope lure (hookless nylon), Inline spinner (slow) |
| Summer | 1 to 12 ft | midday & dusk | Rope lure, Small white spinner |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | midday | Rope lure, Small jerkbait (pause-heavy) |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft | midday |
White River (West Fork) also holds freshwater drum (5 to 20 ft in summer), rock bass (5 to 20 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
Notable structure
- Lake Edgewood Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 17 ft
- Eagle Valley Power Plant Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 17 ft
- Harding Street Power Plant Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 17 ft
- White River Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 17 ft
- Foxcliff Lake Dam #2 tailrace: dam tailrace, around 17 ft
- Vandenbark Lake Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 17 ft
- Foxcliff Lake Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 17 ft
- Spencer deep bends: creek channel, around 16 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5): creek channel, around 15 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 12.4): creek channel, around 15 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 14.9): creek channel, around 15 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 19.0): creek channel, around 15 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 23.3): creek channel, around 15 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 38.9): creek channel, around 15 ft
Common questions
How deep is White River (West Fork)?
White River (West Fork) is about 20 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 White River (West Fork)?
Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, freshwater drum, common carp, longnose gar, rock bass on White River (West Fork).
Where is the best fishing spot on White River (West Fork)?
Broad Ripple 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 White River (West Fork)?
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
Griffy Lake · Cagles Mill Lake (Cataract) · Lake Lemon · Yellowwood Lake · Monroe Lake · Crooked Creek Lake
See how White River (West Fork) stacks up: best largemouth bass lakes in Indiana · best smallmouth bass lakes in Indiana · best channel catfish lakes in Indiana · best flathead catfish lakes in Indiana
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