Gentian/Failing Lake
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Survey readout
Gentian/Failing Lake has a reported maximum depth of 49 ft, and covers about 24 acres in Steuben County, Indiana. The Indiana DNR survey maps contours down to 45 ft; the depth between 45 ft and 49 ft is interpolated rather than measured. Depths come from the Indiana DNR survey of 2018.
Measured from the Indiana DNR lake bathymetry survey.
Depth below 45 ft is interpolated. The survey's own contours stop at 45 ft, while it reports a maximum of 49 ft. The basin between those two depths is inferred by the model, not measured — so the shape of the deep hole is an estimate, and the deep-spot marker shows the deepest depth actually surveyed.
- Deepest mapped contour
- 49 ft
- Survey year
- 2018
- Surface area
- 24 acres
- Shoreline
- 0.91 mi · lobed
- Aquatic vegetation
- 2% of surface · NDVI estimate
- Public access
- Shoreline · Failing Lake (Trine Recreation Area) · Indiana DNR site
Additional depth details9 contours
- Contour depths
- 0–49 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
- 41.70531, -84.99935
- IN DNR lake ID
- 155638770
- Vertical exaggeration
- 2.01× below the waterline; land at true scale
- Basemap
- USDA NAIP · public domain
- Model size
- 0.9 MB
Paddling
Paddling Index methodology v1.0 · calculated 2026-09-21Gentian/Failing Lake has a heavily wooded and largely undeveloped setting, well sheltered geometry, substantial nearby higher-volume 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 | Excellent | 25.7 of 30 | 84% natural land cover within 150 m of shore (5% forest, 75% wetland; 12% developed) |
| Geometric wind exposure | Excellent | 25.0 of 25 | mean fetch 355 m · 100% of sampled water within 500 m of shelter · short fetch in most directions |
| 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 | 10.5 of 15 | 1 DNR fishing access site · shoreline access · ADA-accessible · fishing pier |
| Road isolation | Modest | 0.8 of 15 | substantial nearby higher-volume roads · 22 INDOT-classified segments within 1.2 km, peak 18,401 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
- Moderate — narrow in places — wakes would carry across parts of the lake
- Aquatic vegetation
- Low — approximately 2% 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
- High — 5% forest and 75% wetland cover within 150 m of shore
Compare Indiana lakes by Paddling Index →
Fishing rules
No recent catch, survey, or stocking data for this lake — but a fisheries order still governs it.
Fishing rules for this lake Beta
Rules that apply to this water, whatever you are fishing for.
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 must not take or possess more than two (2) largemouth bass per day, and an individual must not take or possess a largemouth bass unless the largemouth bass is at least eighteen (18) inches long from the following designated waters: (9) Failing Lake (also known as Gentian Lake) in Steuben County.” — 312 IAC 9-7-6(i), Indiana Administrative Code
“Fifteen (15) of any combination of bluegill, redear sunfish, and crappie per day from the following: (B) Failing Lake (also known as Gentian Lake) in Steuben County.” — 312 IAC 9-7-14(e)(2), Indiana Administrative Code
“Notwithstanding subsection (b), an individual must not take more than five (5) channel catfish from: (2) Failing Lake (also known as Gentian Lake) in Steuben County; and” — 312 IAC 9-7-3(e), 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
Gentian/Failing Lake — common questions
How deep is Gentian/Failing Lake?
The Indiana DNR reports a maximum depth of 49 ft for Gentian/Failing Lake. The survey's own contours reach 45 ft, so the depth below that is interpolated from the reported maximum rather than mapped.
How big is Gentian/Failing Lake?
Gentian/Failing Lake covers about 24 acres in Steuben County, Indiana.
Is there public access to Gentian/Failing Lake?
Yes, from shore. The Indiana DNR lists a public access site on Gentian/Failing Lake: a shoreline fishing site with a fishing pier, restrooms and ADA access. The DNR notes that an entry fee applies.
Is the depth of Gentian/Failing Lake measured or estimated?
The survey contours reach 45 ft while the survey reports a maximum of 49 ft, so the basin between those depths is inferred by the model rather than measured.
