By Louie Stout

If you’re look for a lake that offers good bluegill, pike and quality bass, take a look at Big Chapman Lake in Kosciusko County.

Indiana biologists did a quick survey there last year and came away pleased.

“Overall, it looked good,” said northern Indiana district biologist Tyler Delauder, who was there in June.

He said his crew found above average bluegill and above average bass that were 18 inches or longer.

“We didn’t see bluegill above 9 inches but quite a few 8 inchers,” he said. “We also saw redears up to 11 inches and 80 percent of those we captured were over 8 inches.”

Both Big and Little Chapman, connected by a channel, are well known for their number and size of pike. The toothy critters showed up in the survey as well.

“We caught 14 in our nets up to 33 inches, he said. “That’s good to see for that lake. There’s a diverse plant community out there, too.”

The lake is located a few miles east of Warsaw. Unfortunately, parking is limited at the boat ramp.