Eagle Creek in Indy

Just got back from a non-productive day at Eagle Creek. At least I know my motor works before I go to Patoka and Dale Hollow. Water was 51*, wind was 10-15 mph. We got some bites on minnows in some trees in 25 fow about 15' down. We just couldn't connect. I did get a bite from something on a Flicker Shad trolled across a point, whatever it was, it was about 8'-10' down (according to fishfinder). Even though we didn't catch anything, it just felt good to be back on the water, so I guess it was productive.:fish

Used to catch a lot of nice Crappie at Eagle Creek back in about 93
-94`,caught a lot of nice catfish by the sunken 56th St. bridge also.
My Dad and Uncles used to slay the Wipers by the dam on soft craws.

Good report. Fishing has been very fickle in the screwed up weather. It’s going to straighten out beginning next Saturday according to the long range forcast. Eagle creek is good for crappie and walleye. Keep on fishing it when you can.

Eagle Creek has been good for me. It's only 15 miles from home and I always buy a yearly ramp pass. I do split time between here and Cataract (when it gets down to normal level). I don't think any wipers remain and wish I could get more walleyes. . But I've caught everything else except a muskie. Usually I catch most of my fish trolling Flicker Shads and worm rigs across the flats close to Hobie Beach. And I've caught a few bass casting to the shore. I'll get my share of fish from now to November. But most of the time I don't care if I catch anything or not, it's just good to be out in the fresh air.

And today it's snowing:dono! I will be trying Blue Grass near Evansville on Thursday or Friday and taking #3(by seniority) Grandson out again.

Someone said they are not as strict as they used to be about your motor size as long as you maintain a idle is this true or do you have any idea.. I live 60 miles from Eagle Creek now but would like to fish it again but don't have a kicker motor on my boat and don't relish the idea of using trolling motor only, my motor cant pass for a 10hp either as its a 50hp.

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Originally Posted by Chance

Eagle Creek has been good for me. It's only 15 miles from home and I always buy a yearly ramp pass. I do split time between here and Cataract (when it gets down to normal level). I don't think any wipers remain and wish I could get more walleyes. . But I've caught everything else except a muskie. Usually I catch most of my fish trolling Flicker Shads and worm rigs across the flats close to Hobie Beach. And I've caught a few bass casting to the shore. I'll get my share of fish from now to November. But most of the time I don't care if I catch anything or not, it's just good to be out in the fresh air.

And today it's snowing:dono! I will be trying Blue Grass near Evansville on Thursday or Friday and taking #3(by seniority) Grandson out again.

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That's kinda a sore subject for me. I had a 15hp but got a 10hp so I could use it at Eagle Creek. I just have a thing about following the rules. I talked to a CO out there that checked me. I complained about all of the big motors. He said they couldn't do anything about the motors because it was a municipal regulation. So, I've complained to the park police every year and they say they try but there just aren't enough of them to go around. I did see them ticket some gentlemen on a pontoon boat. They used their 40hp to get the boat off the trailer. Plus they didn't have any other motor on the boat. I saw them 2 weeks later going around the lake using their 40. I do see lots of large boats using their 'kicker motors' and I also see lots that have a 'kicker' but are using their large motor. As I said, it's a sore subject and this will probably cause some people to be ticked off at me but, oh well:popcorn. By the way, I have mentioned to many people that the there is a 10hp limit. They just shrug:dono and go on out. Does it really make a difference? They can get somewhere faster than me, that doesn't bother me. It's only a 1400 acre lake, I can get anywhere out there in 10 minutes or so. But I don't have to look over my should all day. I'm no 'goody two shoes' or anything like that. Sorry, I'm off my soapbox, for the time being.

if people with big motors would just idle it wouldn't make a difference, the 10 hp would get there just as quick or quicker, they should just put a 10 mph speed limit on lake and leave it at that and then ticket everybody who goes faster. Not going to buy a kicker motor to just fish Eagle Creek. Back when I was fishing it in the early 90`s I had a new little 4hp Johnson that took me all over that reservoir no problems.
If there's a chance of getting a ticket and its still not allowed then I just wont fish it, I was told that they pretty much allowed you to use your big motor as long as you idled it everywhere. thanks for the info.

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Originally Posted by Chance

That's kinda a sore subject for me. I had a 15hp but got a 10hp so I could use it at Eagle Creek. I just have a thing about following the rules. I talked to a CO out there that checked me. I complained about all of the big motors. He said they couldn't do anything about the motors because it was a municipal regulation. So, I've complained to the park police every year and they say they try but there just aren't enough of them to go around. I did see them ticket some gentlemen on a pontoon boat. They used their 40hp to get the boat off the trailer. Plus they didn't have any other motor on the boat. I saw them 2 weeks later going around the lake using their 40. I do see lots of large boats using their 'kicker motors' and I also see lots that have a 'kicker' but are using their large motor. As I said, it's a sore subject and this will probably cause some people to be ticked off at me but, oh well:popcorn. By the way, I have mentioned to many people that the there is a 10hp limit. They just shrug:dono and go on out. Does it really make a difference? They can get somewhere faster than me, that doesn't bother me. It's only a 1400 acre lake, I can get anywhere out there in 10 minutes or so. But I don't have to look over my should all day. I'm no 'goody two shoes' or anything like that. Sorry, I'm off my soapbox, for the time being.

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Sorry to give you bad news. They have signs at each ramp. I'm not the self appointed police, I just try to follow rules. IF everyone went 10mph, that would be just fine. But you know that not everyone will do that. They will just keep pushing it up a little more each time. It is funny to watch people bring their boats to launch and as soon as they see the park police, they leave pretty fast. I operated for 1 1/2 years with just a trolling motor but I'm sure my boat is smaller than yours. Come on and join the fun. It is nice to go out there on the weekends and not get run over. But you do have to watch out for sailboats.

If I would go it would be during the week to avoid any crowds, don't like fishing weekends too many people out on lakes, Raccoon is a rat race on the weekends cant even enjoy fishing. My boat is not big its a 14 ft Crestliner Angler SC but came maxed out w/50 hp from factory.

OK, mine is a 14' Lowe from the 70's. It works for me. I did put a 50ft/lb minnkota on it until someone wanted it more than me. It now has a 55ft/lb Newport Vessels because it was cheaper. Let me know if you head this way.

ii fish there sometimes 14 foot gruman with a 10 hp the police have to write a ticket and they are not out very often

will do.

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Originally Posted by Chance

OK, mine is a 14' Lowe from the 70's. It works for me. I did put a 50ft/lb minnkota on it until someone wanted it more than me. It now has a 55ft/lb Newport Vessels because it was cheaper. Let me know if you head this way.

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Fished Eagle Creek yesterday. Main lake was 49 and the warmest water I could find was 51. Caught 10 dinks out over deep water and couldn't get a bite in shallow. Nice to get out!!!

I'm still confused... Can you use a large motor if idled?

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No, that is a violation. I was at the park office to buy an annual ramp pass last week and ask them specifically. I see it being done alot. The lake is patrolled by Indy park rangers and Indiana COs. If I was one of the people that lived on the lake I would do everything I could to keep the 10 hp regulation. You'll see paddle boards, rowing teams and sail boats there. Interesting place to fish!

10 horse limit, and they used to make me take the prop off the big motor when I wanted to use a 18.5 ft skeeter on it and just used the trolling motor only. That was 10 or so yrs ago and it’s still 10 hp today but not sure if you have to raise the big motor or remove prop. That’s a pita on boat control too, to keep the rear end from swinging around on you in wind with trolling motor used on,front and big motor out of the water on back.

Yea, I've just kept my big motor tilted and haven't had any problems. You're sooo right, cevans, boat control out on the lake and getting it on the trailer can be tough. You need to hit that trailer right the first time!!!

Clear as mud.... So you can launch with any HP and use trolling motor.....but only power 10HP or under?

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Yep, and they charge and it’s 10-15 as your not a county resident as it’s Indy Park. Lake is 1350.00 acres and your launching at the more southerly part not far from dam in the deeper part of the lake. If you go straight across, you will find the Creek channel but I always caught good crappies all over it. North end of lake after going under 56th st. Bridge is the shallow end. There is a submerged bridge near where the new bridge is east of it on the south side of 56th st. And it also holds fish really great. Lake has excellent crappie, pretty good bass, and DNR also releases walleye fry into it so there is good walleye to be had. Eagle creek park is on east/ north side about 3-4 sq. Miles big, full of deer and good mushroom hunting and it also,has a very dynamite 18 hole golf course on west/north side I also used to play golf and mushroom hunt it LOL at the same time. Should I say I was trespassing? :Rofl I fished it from 78 to 03 quite a bit. Ricks Cafe and Boatyard is near the launch area and I used to entertain business clients there. Excellent food and drinks, but very pricie when you do a full blown meal, but you can still order sandwiches and fries. ��

If you go up there, easiest way to get to it is hit 465 at south side of Indy and take 465 to west side of Indy and just past the Speedway exit get off and take 38th st exit off 465 and go west on 38th st. About a mile and where you see Ricks Cafe, turn right past Eagle Creek Airport at Ricks and take the road next to the lake north 200 yds north of Ricks and your at the launch.