The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (back of a cove) is open for everyone; the other 5 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Cataract Lake
Owen County, Indiana · 1,400 acres (2.2 sq mi)
56°F water, level falling, calm this morning.
About Cataract Lake
Cataract Lake is a reservoir in Owen County, Indiana, covering 1,400 acres. Cagles Mill Dam holds it back on the Mill Creek. Cagles Mill Lake, completed in December 1953, was Indiana's first flood-control reservoir and sits near Cataract Falls, Indiana's largest waterfall.
From end to end it runs about 4 miles and its shoreline adds up to about 19 miles. The water sits about 660 ft above sea level. Cloverdale is about 4.9 miles northeast. The closest city is Bloomington, about 26 miles away.
- Size
- 1,400 acres (2.2 sq mi)
- Shoreline
- About 19 miles
- End to end
- About 4 miles
- Elevation
- About 660 ft
- Type
- Reservoir
- Dam
- Cagles Mill Dam, Mill Creek
- County
- Owen County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Good
- 6:45 am – 9:00 amsunrise
- 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 9 mph
Saturday Good
- 7:00 am – 9:15 amsunrise · wind 6 mph
- 4:00 pm – 6:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 7 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish to expect
Lakes like Cataract Lake in Indiana usually hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. At 56°F on the surface right now, here is how each one should behave.
- FairLargemouth bass
Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.
- GoodCrappie
Active. Brush piles and docks in 8 to 15 ft.
- FairBluegill and sunfish
Warming. Shallow, sunny pockets in the afternoon.
- FairCatfish
Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Back of a cove
Sheltered, shallower water where baitfish gather.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
5 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
Falling 0.5 ft in 7 days.
Latest reading .
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 7:29 am · sunset 5:33 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Cataract Lake
- Cloverdaleabout 4.9 mi northeast
- Greencastleabout 11 mi north
- Brazilabout 11 mi west
- Spencerabout 12 mi southeast
- Bloomingtonnearest city, about 26 mi southeast
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Questions about Cataract Lake
What fish are in Cataract Lake?
Lakes like Cataract Lake usually hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Cataract Lake?
We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.
How big is Cataract Lake?
1,400 acres, with about 19 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Cataract Lake?
Cloverdale is about 4.9 miles northeast; Greencastle is about 11 miles north.
What is the water temperature at Cataract Lake today?
The surface was about 56°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Cataract Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
