What Lily Lake offers and who should fish it

Lily Lake is a shallow, weedy 280-acre lake in La Porte County that holds walleye, northern pike, and largemouth bass. The lake averages 8 to 10 feet deep with extensive weed beds and muck bottom—conditions that make it a reliable warm-water fishery rather than a trophy destination. If you want to catch numbers of fish in a lake you can learn in a few trips, Lily Lake works. If you're chasing 8-pound walleye or 40-inch pike, you'll spend less frustration on deeper, clearer lakes nearby.

The lake sits about 20 minutes south of Michigan City and draws mostly local anglers and families. It's accessible, uncrowded most days, and shallow enough that you don't need a deep-water sonar setup to find fish. The weed growth is heavy enough to hold fish but thick enough to demand specific techniques—you can't just cast and retrieve everywhere.

Key Takeaways

  • Lily Lake holds walleye, pike, and bass in shallow water with heavy weed cover, making it best for anglers who know how to work weeds and don't mind a slower bite.
  • Spring and fall produce the most consistent action; summer fishing slows as weeds thicken and fish move deeper into the weed edges.
  • Jigs tipped with live minnows and soft plastics work better than crankbaits in this lake because of the dense vegetation.
  • The lake has a public launch on the north shore and allows electric motors only, which keeps the water calm and the fishing pressure light.
  • Walleye average 14 to 18 inches; pike run 18 to 28 inches; expect to catch bass in the 12- to 16-inch range.

Walleye fishing in spring and fall

Walleye bite best on Lily Lake from mid-April through May and again from September through October. In spring, fish move shallow to spawn and feed heavily before and after the spawn. Work the weed edges in 4 to 8 feet of water with a jig-and-minnow combination—a 1/4-ounce jig with a live shiner or fathead minnow. Cast parallel to the weed line rather than into it; you'll hang up constantly if you fish directly into the thick stuff.

Fall walleye fishing follows the same pattern in reverse. As water cools in September, fish move back into shallow weeds to feed before winter. The bite is often faster in fall than spring because fish are aggressive and the water clarity improves. Dawn and dusk produce better results than midday, though Lily Lake's shallow, weedy character means you can catch fish throughout the day if you're in the right spot.

Summer walleye fishing slows considerably. Fish move to the deepest weed edges—typically 10 to 12 feet—and bite is sporadic. If you fish Lily Lake in July and August, focus on early morning and late evening, and don't expect the same volume you'll see in spring and fall.

Pike and bass in the weeds

Northern pike are present year-round and often more aggressive than walleye, especially in spring. Fish 3/8-ounce spinnerbaits and soft plastic swimbaits in 3 to 6 feet of water around weed edges. Pike in Lily Lake average 18 to 28 inches—solid fish, but not trophy size. The shallow, weedy habitat produces numbers rather than giants.

Largemouth bass follow the same pattern as pike but prefer slightly thicker cover. Work soft plastics—4-inch senkos or creature baits—around the densest weed clumps. Bass bite throughout the year on Lily Lake, but spring and early summer are most productive. Summer heat pushes them deeper into the weeds, where they're harder to reach without snagging.

Launch access and regulations

Lily Lake has a public boat launch on the north shore accessible from County Road 400 North. The launch is small—room for maybe four or five trailers—and can get crowded on weekends, though traffic is usually light on weekdays. The lake allows electric motors only, which keeps the water calm and the fishing pressure manageable.

Indiana fishing regulations apply. You need a valid Indiana fishing license, and walleye have a daily bag limit of five fish with a 15-inch minimum length. Pike and bass follow standard state regulations. Check the current Indiana Department of Natural Resources guide before you go, as regulations can change year to year.

Tackle and technique for shallow, weedy water

Lily Lake demands weed-specific tackle. Bring jigs in 1/4- and 3/8-ounce weights, live minnows, soft plastics in natural colors (browns, greens, blacks), and spinnerbaits. Crankbaits are frustrating here because you'll spend more time picking weeds off the hooks than fishing. A 6-foot medium-power spinning rod works for walleye; a 6.5-foot medium-heavy rod handles pike and bass better.

The key technique is working the weed edge, not the open water. Cast to the edge, let the jig fall on a controlled drop, and work it slowly. Pike and bass often hit on the fall. For walleye, a slow lift-and-drop retrieve works better than a steady retrieve. If you're not snagging occasionally, you're probably not deep enough in the weeds.

When to fish and what to expect

April through May and September through October are your best windows. The bite is consistent, water temperatures are ideal, and weed growth hasn't yet become overwhelming. June and July can be productive early and late in the day, but midday fishing is slow. August is the toughest month—heat and thick weeds push fish deep and make them lethargic.

Expect to catch 10 to 20 fish per outing in spring and fall if you're fishing the right spots and using the right technique. Summer and winter outings might yield half that. Lily Lake is not a lake where you'll catch 50 fish in a day, but it's a lake where you'll catch fish consistently if you know what you're doing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a gas motor on Lily Lake?

No. Lily Lake allows electric motors only. This regulation keeps the lake quiet and protects the shallow weed habitat. If you don't have an electric motor, you can fish from shore or rent a boat with one from a local marina.

What's the best time of day to fish Lily Lake?

Dawn and dusk produce the most consistent bites, especially for walleye. Pike and bass bite throughout the day, but early morning and late evening are still your best windows. Midday fishing in summer is slow.

Do I need a boat to fish Lily Lake?

A boat helps you reach the best weed edges and deeper water, but you can fish from shore around the launch area and along the north bank. Shore fishing is productive in spring and fall when fish move shallow.

What size fish should I expect to catch?

Walleye average 14 to 18 inches, pike run 18 to 28 inches, and bass are typically 12 to 16 inches. These are solid eating and fighting fish, not trophy size. Lily Lake produces consistent numbers rather than giants.

Is Lily Lake crowded?

No. It draws mostly local anglers and stays quiet most days, even on weekends. The electric-motor-only rule and shallow, weedy character keep pressure light compared to larger, deeper lakes in the region.