Fawn River
river in Indiana
The Fawn River, flowing through LaGrange County in extreme northern Indiana, is a hidden gem for fly anglers. Its clear, cool, and often spring-fed waters support a thriving population of smallmouth bass, northern pike, and various panfish. The river's natural beauty and slower currents make it ideal for wading or floating in a canoe or kayak, targeting fish with streamers and poppers.
Midges
- 01Midges, caddis, mayflies, eggs, and worms are active this week.
- 02Warmer afternoons could bring some topwater action for panfish.
- 03Walleye and Pike will be keying on baitfish and larger subsurface prey.
- 04Focus on deeper runs, current seams, and submerged structure.
- 05Strip streamers slowly and deliberately in cooler water conditions.
Past reports week by week
9 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Woolly Bugger (Olive)
A versatile streamer, effective for imitating leeches and baitfish, which are consistent food sources for predatory species like Walleye, Panfish, and Pike in fall.
October Caddis (Dry)
Matches the prolific October Caddis hatch, providing a prime dry fly opportunity for Walleye and Panfish keyed on adult caddis.
Buy at AmazonBlood Dot Egg
Fall is egg season, and this pattern imitates a consistent food source for Walleye, particularly below spawning fish.
Buy at AmazonSquirmy Wormy
Worms are active in the water during fall, especially after any flow fluctuations, making this a consistent attractor for Walleye, Panfish, and Pike.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source year-round, and this pattern effectively imitates the active red midges expected in October, attracting Walleye and Panfish.
Buy at AmazonHot Pink Bunny Leech
Pike are known to aggressively strike anything pink, and this pattern is a highly effective imitation of leeches and baitfish for these active predatory fish.
Articulated Streamer (Drunk Sculpin)
Sculpin patterns are excellent for fall, imitating larger baitfish that predatory Walleye and Pike key on in cooling waters.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
County Road 900 E Bridge
A convenient bridge access point for wading or launching small craft into productive sections of the Fawn River.
Fawn River State Fish Hatchery Access
Provides public access to the Fawn River near the state fish hatchery, offering good opportunities for smallmouth bass and northern pike.
Orland Public Access
Offers public access near the town of Orland, a good starting point for exploring the Fawn River for smallmouth and pike.
Get Fawn River reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
Indiana season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Quick answers
Common questions about Fawn River.
What flies work best on Fawn River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Fawn River right now are Woolly Bugger (Olive) (80% confidence), Gurgler (Bass) (80% confidence), Scud (Pink/Orange) (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Fawn River?
Fawn River holds Walleye, Panfish, Pike. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Fawn River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Fawn River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.