Messick Lake
depth
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Depth scale
Survey readout
Messick Lake has a reported maximum depth of 56 ft, and covers about 66 acres in LaGrange County, Indiana. The Indiana DNR survey maps contours down to 50 ft; the depth between 50 ft and 56 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 50 ft is interpolated. The survey's own contours stop at 50 ft, while it reports a maximum of 56 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
- 50 ft
- Survey year
- 2018
- Surface area
- 66 acres
- Shoreline
- 1.91 mi · irregular
- Aquatic vegetation
- 10% of surface · NDVI estimate
- Public access
- Boat Ramp · Indiana DNR site
Additional depth details4 contours
- Contour depths
- 0–56 ft
- Recorded point soundings
- 50 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
- 41.55165, -85.44280
- IN DNR lake ID
- 155641713
- Vertical exaggeration
- 1.77×
- Basemap
- USDA NAIP · public domain
- Model size
- 2.0 MB
Paddling
Paddling Index methodology v1.0 · calculated 2026-09-21Messick Lake has a mixed natural and developed setting, well sheltered geometry, limited nearby major-road exposure. 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 | 11.4 of 30 | 49% natural land cover within 150 m of shore (2% forest, 47% wetland; 31% developed) |
| Geometric wind exposure | Excellent | 23.6 of 25 | mean fetch 516 m · 47% 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 | 12.8 of 15 | 1 DNR fishing access site · boat ramp · ADA-accessible |
| Road isolation | Very Good | 11.6 of 15 | limited nearby major-road exposure · 2 INDOT-classified segments within 1.2 km, peak 425 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 10% 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 — 2% forest and 47% wetland cover within 150 m of shore
Compare Indiana lakes by Paddling Index →
Fish you might catch
from DNR surveys20 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
Lake Chubsucker
Brook Silverside
LogperchAbout these fish → the Fish of Indiana guide
Fishing rules for this lake Beta
Size and daily limits for the 20 species found here — 16 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.
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 2018Gamefish Largemouth Bass 66 · Bowfin 2 · Channel Catfish 2 · Northern Pike 1
Panfish Bluegill 204 · Yellow Perch 18 · Pumpkinseed 6
All survey species20 species
Gamefish
Panfish
Bullhead & catfish
Forage & nongame
Non-native species records
2 recordsMussels & snails
Plants & algae
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.
Messick Lake — common questions
How deep is Messick Lake?
The Indiana DNR reports a maximum depth of 56 ft for Messick Lake. The survey's own contours reach 50 ft, so the depth below that is interpolated from the reported maximum rather than mapped.
How big is Messick Lake?
Messick Lake covers about 66 acres in LaGrange County, Indiana.
What fish are in Messick Lake?
Species with survey, catch or recent-stocking evidence include channel catfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin. The page lists all 20 species and the evidence behind each.
Is there public access to Messick Lake?
Yes. The Indiana DNR lists a public access site on Messick Lake: a boat ramp with ADA access. The DNR records no fee. DNR directions: "At Wolcottville from SR 9, 3.5 miles west on CR 800S, 2 miles north on CR75W."
Is the depth of Messick Lake measured or estimated?
The survey contours reach 50 ft while the survey reports a maximum of 56 ft, so the basin between those depths is inferred by the model rather than measured.
