LAKEVIEW, Ohio – The Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Buckeye Division is set to get the season underway in late May at Indian Lake. A grassy, Buckeye Division staple, Indian should fish well early in the year.
Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Buckeye Division
Lakeview, Ohio
May 21, 2022
One of the premier saugeye fisheries in the Buckeye State, Indian Lake was built with hand tools and carts by Irish immigrants in the 1850s. The finished product tied together a few smaller bodies of water and rivers, and the lake is quite grassy and only has a few areas deeper than 10 feet. For cover, Indian has tons of rip rap, docks and seawalls, in addition to natural wood, submerged vegetation and pads.
Ohio pro Kyle Weisenburger says the name of the game these days in Indian Lake is the grass.
“The last three or four years, the lake has taken over a big change,” said Weisenburger. “The lake has cleared up a lot, and it’s gotten a ton of grass. There’s grass in places I’ve never seen, so even though it’s a shallow lake, it spreads out more and you’ve got to fish differently than you used to because you can’t even get to some of the places you used to. I’ve been out on the lake a couple times this year, and already it’s matted up in places, it’s a lot of grass.”
All that grass hasn’t created an instant improvement in the fishing, but by Buckeye Division standards, Weisenburger says it’s not half bad.
“For as little as it is, and all the pressure that it gets, it isn’t terrible,” said Weisenburger. “The weights aren’t high, but there are a decent amount of fish in the lake. I would say 12 to 13 pounds will put a guy right in the hunt. It’s not as bad as everybody thinks it is, I’ve had some really good days out there, you just might not catch a lot of weight.”
As for the predominant patterns, late May should have plenty of fish in various stages of the spawn.
“There’s parts of the lake that are really shallow and protected, and they warm up super fast,” said Weisenburger. “So, there will be some fish postspawn. But, I think it will be right in the heart of the spawn, with some fish done and some still coming.”
With fish in all stages of the spawn and lots of grass, Weisenburger thinks baits like a vibrating jig, crankbait, a Texas rig and even punching could play. He particularly noted that a weightless Yamamoto Senko could do work.
In addition to some sight-fishing possibilities, Weisenburger reckons there’s a chance for some fun topwater explosions.
“When I was there recently I caught some on a buzzbait,” said Weisenburger. “And a topwater frog will definitely play.