Fort Wayne anglers can reach 9 of the waters in our guide in 75 minutes or less by car — 7 lakes and 2 reservoirs. Our records list no fewer than 32 species of fish for them.

James Lake is 57 minutes from Fort Wayne

James Lake is the shortest drive from Fort Wayne: 57 min (42.7 mi). The drive time is measured to the ramp: James Lake (Use Grassy Creek Ramp).

Next by drive time:

Largemouth Bass and 32 more species on record

Of all the species, Largemouth Bass is on record at the most waters — 5 out of 9. Next come Walleye (5), Yellow Perch (5), Bluegill (4) and Rainbow Trout (3).

The nearest water for each of the leading species:

  • Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch and Rainbow Trout: Tippecanoe Lake, 61 min (45.1 mi)
  • Walleye: Coldwater Lake, 63 min (57 mi)
  • Bluegill: James Lake, 57 min (42.7 mi)

Where to start: Lake Wawasee

Our ranking for Fort Wayne weighs the drive, the depth map, the fish on record and the ramps; it puts these 3 first:

  • Lake Wawasee: 3,061 acres, 14 fish species on record, max depth 75 ft (surveyed) and 15 ramps.
  • Grand Lake (reservoir): 12,950 acres, 11 fish species on record, max depth 14 ft (surveyed), 36 ramps and 104,960,764 fish stocked.
  • Marble Lake: 766 acres, 15 fish species on record, max depth 60 ft (surveyed), 3 ramps and 32,200 fish stocked.

Depths near Fort Wayne

The deepest water in this guide is Tippecanoe Lake: at least 123.7 ft at its deepest point (measured). It is followed by Coldwater Lake (90 ft), Lake Wawasee (75 ft) and Lake of the Woods (70 ft). Maximum depths are known for all 9 waters.

5 stocked waters near Fort Wayne

5 waters here have stocked fish on record, led by Grand Lake (104,960,764 fish), Bresler Upground Reservoir (15,305,452 fish) and Coldwater Lake (1,632,808 fish).

17 boat ramps within reach

Around Fort Wayne you will find 17 boat ramps on the waters in this guide. The boat ramp closest to the city center is Lake Wawasee on Lake Wawasee, about 34.5 mi in a straight line, with 2 lanes.