Worster Lake Hybrid Stripers Flourish with Little Attention from Anglers

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Published: 02 April 2021

By Louie Stout

Lake Worster Wipers

One of the most overlooked fish at Worster Lake at Potato Creek State Park is the hybrid striped bass (also known as a wiper), a fish that grows fast and fights hard.

Indiana DNR Biologist Tom Bacula conducted a survey there last fall and came away impressed.

“There are crazy good numbers,” he said. “The wipers are doing fantastic and growing fast.”

The majority of the fish Bacula captured in a netting project were 19 to 22 inches and weighed 3 ½ to 5 pounds each.

“We had one that was 29 inches and weighed 11½ pounds,” he added. “There’s a ton of fish out there.”

Despite good populations at Worster, the fish isn’t getting much pressure, probably because most people don’t know how to fish for them.

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Steelhead Push into Indiana; Michiana Fishing is Good for Several Species

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Published: 26 March 2021

By Louie Stout

Steelhead have been pouring into Indiana waters and that should continue with the rains the past couple of days.

During the week of March 10-17, 2,386 fish passed through the South Bend ladder and another 1,295 the past week. That brings this year’s total to 4,355.

That’s still shy of the long-term average of 7,000, and the weather could dictate if we’re able to see that many move up.

“The St. Joe and the other tributaries are dealing with clear, low water and that has hindered the run so far,” said Lake Michigan Biologist Ben Dickinson. “It’s been a challenge and we need the rain.”
Even so, rising water temperatures have several steelhead already spawning and some might be done.

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