Yellowwood Lake
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Depth scale
Survey readout
Yellowwood Lake has a reported maximum depth of 28 ft, and covers about 123 acres in Brown County, Indiana. The Indiana DNR survey maps contours down to 27 ft; the depth between 27 ft and 28 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 27 ft is interpolated. The survey's own contours stop at 27 ft, while it reports a maximum of 28 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
- 28 ft
- Survey year
- 2018
- Surface area
- 123 acres
- Shoreline
- 4.01 mi · irregular
- Aquatic vegetation
- 13% of surface · NDVI estimate
- Public access
- Boat Ramp · Indiana DNR site
Additional depth details9 contours
- Contour depths
- 0–28 ft
- Recorded point soundings
- 27 ft, 9 ft, 9 ft, 9 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
- 39.18389, -86.34176
- IN DNR lake ID
- 53447663
- Vertical exaggeration
- 2.73× below the waterline; land at true scale
- Basemap
- USDA NAIP · public domain
- Model size
- 2.3 MB
Paddling
Paddling Index methodology v1.0 · calculated 2026-09-21Yellowwood Lake has a heavily wooded and largely undeveloped setting, generally sheltered geometry, some nearby classified roads. Watercraft controls: Electric motors only.
Why this score?5 components
Included in the index
| Component | Rating | Points of weight | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural setting | Excellent | 25.5 of 30 | 88% natural land cover within 150 m of shore (87% forest, 0% wetland; 7% developed) |
| Geometric wind exposure | Very Good | 17.4 of 25 | mean fetch 853 m · 10% of sampled water within 500 m of shelter · generally short fetch |
| 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 | Good | 8.0 of 15 | some nearby classified roads · 2 INDOT-classified segments within 1.2 km, peak 1,325 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 13% 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 — 87% 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).
Common Carp
White Sucker
Bass
Gizzard Shad
About these fish → the Fish of Indiana guide
Fishing rules for this lake Beta
Size and daily limits for the 13 species found here — 11 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 2019Gamefish Largemouth Bass 53 · Channel Catfish 30
Panfish Bluegill 162 · Redear Sunfish 44 · Black Crappie 29
All survey species13 species
Gamefish
Panfish
Bullhead & catfish
Forage & nongame
Non-native species records
1 recordOther invertebrates
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.
Yellowwood Lake — common questions
How deep is Yellowwood Lake?
The Indiana DNR reports a maximum depth of 28 ft for Yellowwood Lake. The survey's own contours reach 27 ft, so the depth below that is interpolated from the reported maximum rather than mapped.
How big is Yellowwood Lake?
Yellowwood Lake covers about 123 acres in Brown County, Indiana.
What fish are in Yellowwood Lake?
Species with survey, catch or recent-stocking evidence include channel catfish, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, warmouth. The page lists all 13 species and the evidence behind each.
Is there public access to Yellowwood Lake?
Yes. The Indiana DNR lists a public access site on Yellowwood Lake: a boat ramp with a fishing pier and restrooms. The DNR notes that a lake permit is required. DNR directions: "Two miles east of Belmont on SR 46; turn on Yellowwood Lake Road and follow signs to Yellowwood State Forest."
Is the depth of Yellowwood Lake measured or estimated?
The survey contours reach 27 ft while the survey reports a maximum of 28 ft, so the basin between those depths is inferred by the model rather than measured.
