Lincoln Lake
depth
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Depth scale
Survey readout
Lincoln Lake is mapped to a depth of 20 ft on the Indiana DNR survey and covers about 52 acres in Spencer County, Indiana. Depths come from the Indiana DNR survey of 2016.
Measured from the Indiana DNR lake bathymetry survey.
- Deepest mapped contour
- 20 ft
- Survey year
- 2016
- Surface area
- 52 acres
- Shoreline
- 2.17 mi · irregular
- Aquatic vegetation
- 22% of surface · NDVI estimate
- Public access
- Boat Ramp · Lincoln State Park Lake · Indiana DNR site
Additional depth details10 contours
- Contour depths
- 0–20 ft
- Recorded point soundings
- 20 ft, 6 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
- 38.10183, -86.99539
- IN DNR lake ID
- 56131120
- Vertical exaggeration
- 3.0× below the waterline; land at true scale
- Basemap
- USDA NAIP · public domain
- Model size
- 1.9 MB
Paddling
Paddling Index methodology v1.0 · calculated 2026-09-21Lincoln Lake has a mostly natural, lightly developed setting, well sheltered geometry, little nearby major-road exposure. Watercraft controls: Electric motors only.
Why this score?5 components
Included in the index
| Component | Rating | Points of weight | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural setting | Very Good | 19.2 of 30 | 71% natural land cover within 150 m of shore (68% forest, 0% wetland; 21% developed) |
| Geometric wind exposure | Excellent | 23.3 of 25 | mean fetch 525 m · 45% of sampled water within 500 m of shelter · short fetch in most directions |
| Watercraft controls | Electric motors only | 14.2 of 15 | Electric motors only |
| Public access | Good | 12.8 of 15 | 1 DNR fishing access site · boat ramp · fishing pier |
| Road isolation | Excellent | 12.9 of 15 | relatively isolated from major roads · 2 INDOT-classified segments within 1.2 km, peak 7,633 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
- Moderate — approximately 22% 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
- Moderate — 68% forest and 0% wetland cover within 150 m of shore
Compare Indiana lakes by Paddling Index →
Fish you might catch
from DNR surveys13 species with recent evidence in this lake — sized relative to each other. Illustrations are AI-generated representative adults in everyday colors, not photographs (provenance).
Gizzard Shad
Hybrid Sunfish
Spotfin ShinerAbout these fish → the Fish of Indiana guide
Fishing rules for this lake Beta
Size and daily limits for the 13 species found here — 10 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 2016 and 2024Gamefish Largemouth Bass 220 · Channel Catfish 34
Panfish Bluegill 137 · Redear Sunfish 101 · Warmouth 45
All survey species13 species
Gamefish
Panfish
Bullhead & catfish
Forage & nongame
Non-native species records
No non-native species recorded in the available dataset. This does not confirm that no non-native species are present.
Source: Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership Conservation Planner; underlying nonindigenous species records from the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database.
Lincoln Lake — common questions
How deep is Lincoln Lake?
The deepest contour on the Indiana DNR bathymetric survey of Lincoln Lake is 20 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 Lincoln Lake?
Lincoln Lake covers about 52 acres in Spencer County, Indiana.
What fish are in Lincoln Lake?
Species with survey, catch or recent-stocking evidence include channel catfish, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, green sunfish. The page lists all 13 species and the evidence behind each.
Is there public access to Lincoln Lake?
Yes. The Indiana DNR lists a public access site on Lincoln Lake: a boat ramp with a fishing pier, a boat dock and restrooms. The DNR notes that an entry fee and a lake permit are required. DNR directions: "South of SR 162 at Lincoln City."
