Blue Lake
depth
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Depth scale
Survey readout
Blue Lake is mapped to a depth of 45 ft on the Indiana DNR survey and covers about 247 acres in Whitley County, Indiana. Depths come from the Indiana DNR survey of 2018.
Measured from the Indiana DNR lake bathymetry survey.
- Deepest mapped contour
- 45 ft
- Survey year
- 2018
- Surface area
- 247 acres
- Shoreline
- 3.78 mi · irregular
- Aquatic vegetation
- 6% of surface · NDVI estimate
- Public access
- Boat Ramp · Harrold's Landing · Indiana DNR site
Additional depth details9 contours
- Contour depths
- 0–45 ft
- Recorded point soundings
- 45 ft
Provenance
Sources: IN DNR Lake Bathymetry, USGS 3DEP, USDA NAIP (public domain), OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
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Map details & sources4 sources
All layers registered to one bounding box; positions in WGS 84.
Survey-derived depth contours drape over USGS 3DEP elevation, with a USDA NAIP aerial basemap and OpenStreetMap shoreline. Color shows surveyed depth; dark lines are the survey's own isobaths.
- Coordinates
- 41.23948, -85.36289
- IN DNR lake ID
- 35034217
- Vertical exaggeration
- 2.15×
- Basemap
- USDA NAIP · public domain
- Model size
- 2.2 MB
Paddling
Paddling Index methodology v1.0 · calculated 2026-09-21Blue Lake has a mixed natural and developed setting, moderate open-water exposure, some nearby classified roads. No special watercraft restriction is identified in the current source.
Why this score?5 components
Included in the index
| Component | Rating | Points of weight | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural setting | Mixed | 6.7 of 30 | 39% natural land cover within 150 m of shore (7% forest, 27% wetland; 32% developed) |
| Geometric wind exposure | Good | 13.3 of 25 | mean fetch 1,250 m · 1% of sampled water within 500 m of shelter · moderate open-water fetch |
| Watercraft controls | None identified | 7.5 of 15 | No special watercraft restriction identified in the current DNR source. Motors permitted, subject to general law. |
| Public access | Good | 12.8 of 15 | 1 DNR fishing access site · boat ramp · ADA-accessible |
| Road isolation | Good | 8.7 of 15 | some nearby classified roads · 6 INDOT-classified segments within 1.2 km, peak 9,532 vehicles/day |
Additional paddling considerations
These describe the lake but are not part of the v1 Paddling Index and do not change the number above.
- Wake sensitivity
- Low — wide enough that wakes disperse over most of the lake
- Aquatic vegetation
- Low — approximately 6% mapped coverage · NAIP aerial imagery (NDVI)
- Observed motorized activity
- Unknown — No lake-level measurement of boat traffic is available. Legal permission to operate motors is not evidence of use.
- Wildlife habitat potential
- Limited — 7% forest and 27% wetland cover within 150 m of shore
Compare Indiana lakes by Paddling Index →
Fish you might catch
from DNR surveys19 species with recent evidence in this lake — sized relative to each other. Illustrations are AI-generated representative adults in everyday colors, not photographs (provenance).
Common Carp
SuckerWhite Sucker
Gizzard Shad
Lake Chubsucker
Hybrid Sunfish
Golden Shiner
Brook SilversideAbout these fish → the Fish of Indiana guide
Fishing rules for this lake Beta
Size and daily limits for the 19 species found here — 14 open to harvest.
These are hook-and-line size and daily limit rules. The fishing code sets no closed season for these species on inland lakes, but posted property rules can close a water — see the notes. Gear, spearing and bow fishing, netting and bait collection are set by other sections of 312 IAC 9 and are not shown here.
Official rule text for this lake
“An individual may take minnows at any time during the year.” — 312 IAC 9-7-15(a), Indiana Administrative Code
From 312 IAC 9-7 (Sport fishing), Indiana Administrative Code (readopted 2025-03-25), and the 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide · verified 2026-09-15. Regulations can change — the Indiana Administrative Code (312 IAC 9-7) is the controlling source; verify current regulations before fishing. Official regulations
Fishery
surveyed 2013Gamefish Largemouth Bass 88
Panfish Bluegill 373 · Pumpkinseed 37 · Black Crappie 10
All survey species19 species
Gamefish
Panfish
Bullhead & catfish
Forage & nongame
Non-native species records
2 recordsMussels & snails
Fish
- Oscar
How to identify invasive species in Indiana lakes →
What does non-native mean?
USGS records identify non-native species that have been documented for this lake or its shoreline. Non-native does not necessarily mean invasive, and historical records do not confirm current presence.
Source: Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership Conservation Planner; underlying nonindigenous species records from the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database.
Blue Lake — common questions
How deep is Blue Lake?
The deepest contour on the Indiana DNR bathymetric survey of Blue Lake is 45 ft. That is the deepest depth the historical survey map records, which may differ from the deepest point of the lake itself.
How big is Blue Lake?
Blue Lake covers about 247 acres in Whitley County, Indiana.
What fish are in Blue Lake?
Species with survey, catch or recent-stocking evidence include largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed. The page lists all 19 species and the evidence behind each.
Is there public access to Blue Lake?
Yes. The Indiana DNR lists a public access site on Blue Lake: a boat ramp with a boat dock, restrooms and ADA access. The DNR records no fee. DNR directions: "One mile north of Churubusco on US 33, then one mile west on CR 550N."
