What Stone Lake offers walleye and pike anglers

Stone Lake is a shallow, weedy reservoir in La Porte County that holds walleye and pike in a system that rewards anglers who understand weed structure and seasonal movement. The lake runs roughly 300 acres and averages 8 to 12 feet deep, with extensive vegetation that makes it distinct from the clearer, deeper lakes elsewhere in the region. If you fish here, you are working a system where the weeds themselves are the primary feature—not a secondary consideration.

Walleye in Stone Lake respond well to live bait presentations along weed edges and in deeper pockets during summer, and pike hunt the same edges aggressively. Spring and fall produce the most consistent action because the weeds thin out enough to allow better access, and the fish move into shallower water. Winter is possible but requires knowledge of where the deepest holes sit and where the lake's few hard-bottom areas hold fish under the ice.

Key Takeaways

  • Stone Lake's shallow depth and heavy vegetation mean weed edges and pockets are where walleye and pike spend most of their time.
  • Spring and fall offer the best fishing because reduced weed density makes the lake more accessible and fish move into predictable shallow zones.
  • Summer walleye respond to live bait—shiners and crawlers—worked slowly along weed lines at dusk and after dark.
  • Pike fishing peaks in spring and fall when they hunt the weed edges; summer pike are present but harder to locate in the thick vegetation.
  • A shallow-draft boat or canoe is more practical than a deep-V hull because of the lake's depth and weed coverage.

Spring and fall: the peak seasons

Spring (April through May) is when Stone Lake becomes most fishable. The water warms from the mid-40s to the low 60s, weeds begin to grow but have not yet choked the lake, and walleye move shallow to feed before spawning. Pike are equally active, hunting baitfish in the same shallow zones. Fish the weed edges with jigs tipped with live shiners or crawlers, working slowly and staying in 4 to 8 feet of water.

Fall (September through October) mirrors spring in terms of fishing quality. Weeds begin to die back, water temperature drops from the 70s into the 50s, and both walleye and pike feed aggressively in preparation for winter. The same presentations work—jigs and live bait, weed-edge focus—but you can cover more water because the vegetation is thinner. Many anglers consider fall the more reliable season because the weather is more stable and the fish are less pressured than in spring.

Summer walleye: night fishing and deep pockets

Summer on Stone Lake requires a shift in approach. Daytime walleye retreat into the thickest weed cover or the few deeper holes the lake offers, making them difficult to reach. Dusk and night fishing becomes the standard—cast along weed edges as light fades, or work the deeper pockets (10 to 12 feet) with live bait on a slip sinker rig. Shiners and crawlers both work, but shiners tend to produce more consistently in the weeds.

Pike remain active throughout summer but are equally hard to locate in the dense vegetation. Early morning and late evening produce better results than midday. If you are fishing during the day, focus on any open water pockets within the weed beds or the few areas where the bottom transitions from sand to muck—these are often where pike hunt.

Weed management and boat choice

Stone Lake's vegetation is both its defining feature and its primary challenge. Coontail and milfoil dominate, with scattered patches of cattails along the shoreline. In summer, the weeds can be so thick that standard presentations become impossible. Many anglers switch to weedless jigs or topwater lures that can be worked over the vegetation itself.

A shallow-draft boat—a 16 to 18-foot aluminum with a 9.9 or 15-horsepower motor—is far more practical than a deep-V hull. Canoes and kayaks work well for anglers willing to cover less water but gain access to shallow bays and weed pockets that larger boats cannot reach. Trolling is less effective here than on deeper lakes; casting and working structure is the standard approach.

Winter fishing and ice-out timing

Stone Lake typically freezes by mid-December and remains frozen through February. Ice fishing is possible but requires knowing where the deepest holes sit—the lake's few 12 to 14-foot zones hold walleye under the ice, and these spots are not obvious from the surface. Local knowledge or a depth finder is essential. Pike are less predictable under ice and are often found in shallower areas near remaining vegetation.

Ice-out usually occurs in early April, creating a brief window of excellent fishing as the ice breaks up and walleye move into shallow water to feed. This period lasts only a week or two before the weeds begin to grow again, so timing matters. Check local reports or contact the La Porte County Parks Department for current ice conditions before making the trip.

Access and regulations

Stone Lake has a public boat launch on the north shore, accessible via County Road 400 North. The launch is maintained year-round and has parking for roughly a dozen vehicles. There is no fee to launch. The lake is open to fishing year-round, but Indiana's walleye and pike seasons and bag limits apply—check the current Indiana Fishing Guide before you go, as regulations change annually.

The lake is surrounded by private property, so shore fishing is limited. Most anglers fish from a boat. The lake is popular with local anglers but does not draw the crowds that larger reservoirs in the region attract, which means less pressure on the fish and more consistent action during peak seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to fish Stone Lake?

Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) are the most productive. Weeds are thinner, fish move into predictable shallow zones, and both walleye and pike are active. Summer requires night fishing and deeper pockets; winter is possible but demands local knowledge of where the deepest holes sit.

Can I fish Stone Lake from shore?

Most of the shoreline is private property, so boat access is the practical option. The public launch on the north shore is the standard entry point. If you have a canoe or kayak, you can access shallow bays and weed pockets that larger boats cannot reach.

What size boat do I need?

A shallow-draft aluminum boat (16–18 feet) with a 9.9 or 15-horsepower motor is ideal. Deep-V hulls are less practical because of the lake's shallow depth and weed coverage. Canoes and kayaks work well for anglers willing to cover less water but gain access to tight spaces.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Stone Lake?

Yes. Indiana requires a valid fishing license for anyone 18 and older. You can purchase a license online through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources website or at most bait and tackle shops in La Porte County.

What should I bring for summer fishing?

Bring live shiners or crawlers, jigs in 1/8 to 1/4-ounce sizes, a headlamp or flashlight for dusk and night fishing, and insect repellent—the weeds and shallow water attract mosquitoes. A depth finder helps locate the few deeper pockets where summer walleye hide during the day.