The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (point drop-off) is open for everyone; the other 6 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Patoka Lake
Orange County, Indiana · 8,800 acres (13.8 sq mi)
59°F water, level falling, calm this morning.
About Patoka Lake
Patoka Lake spreads over 8,800 acres in Orange County, Indiana. Patoka Lake Dam holds it back on the Patoka River. Patoka Lake, Indiana's second-largest reservoir, was completed in 1978 and is jointly managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Indiana DNR.
From end to end it runs about 10.4 miles with roughly 95 miles of shoreline. Its surface is about 540 ft above sea level. The deepest water is about 52 ft. English is about 5.8 miles east. Louisville, the nearest city, is about 43 miles east.
- Size
- 8,800 acres (13.8 sq mi)
- Deepest
- About 52 ft
- Shoreline
- About 95 miles
- End to end
- About 10.4 miles
- Elevation
- About 540 ft
- Type
- Reservoir
- Dam
- Patoka Lake Dam, Patoka River
- County
- Orange County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Saturday Good
- 6:45 am – 9:00 amsunrise · wind 2 mph
- 4:00 pm – 6:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 3 mph
Sunday Good
- 6:45 am – 9:00 amsunrise · wind 0 mph
- 4:45 pm – 6:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 1 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish in Patoka Lake
The fish here: largemouth bass, bluegill and sunfish, catfish, crappie and walleye. With the surface at 59°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- GoodLargemouth bass
Fall feed. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves.
- FairBluegill and sunfish
Warming. Shallow, sunny pockets in the afternoon.
- FairCatfish
Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.
- GoodCrappie
Active. Brush piles and docks in 8 to 15 ft.
- GoodWalleye
Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Point drop-off
The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
6 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 0.4 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 7:26 am · sunset 5:35 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Patoka Lake
- Englishabout 5.8 mi east
- French Lickabout 6.9 mi north
- Paoliabout 9.2 mi northeast
- Jasperabout 11 mi west
- Louisvillenearest city, about 43 mi east
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Questions about Patoka Lake
What fish are in Patoka Lake?
Patoka Lake holds largemouth bass, bluegill and sunfish, catfish, crappie and walleye. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Patoka Lake?
About 52 ft at the deepest point. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.
How big is Patoka Lake?
8,800 acres, with about 95 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Patoka Lake?
English is about 5.8 miles east; French Lick is about 6.9 miles north.
What is the water temperature at Patoka Lake today?
The surface was about 59°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Patoka Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
