Eagle Lake Boat Launch Development Remains in Doubt

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Published: 21 August 2025

By Louie Stout

If you have hopes of the new DNR boat launch on Eagle Lake to be developed anytime soon, forget about it.

Darrin Schaap of Clear H20 Tackle and I had a conference call last week with DNR officials who are overseeing the project.

For those unfamiliar with the project, the DNR purchased land to install a new and safer boat launch on the east side of Eagle Lake in August, 2014.

That’s right 11 years ago.

Since then, the Eagle Lake Improvement Association has filed multiple lawsuits – which they lost – yet continue to throw roadblocks at the DNR to prevent the development.

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Can we be honest?

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Published: 08 August 2025

By Louie Stout

Michiana Outdoors News publishes a lot of tournament results and relies upon anglers to provide some insight into how the fish were caught.

The purpose is to recognize successful anglers, but more importantly, share information about various lakes and successful techniques that are working in the Michiana area.

Tournament directors have a lot going on, so we’re extremely grateful that tournament directors make the effort to get us details and photos and some basic information about how the fish were caught. We request the winning pattern, depth, key lures and any other information the directors care to pass along to us.

We’re especially appreciative for what we get from Brendon Sutter (Tackle Shack), Bill Mathews (Stars and Stripes) and Rick Kedik (CastingCouples and Michiana Singles) who often provide additional quality details on their events.

Yet, tournament directors can only pass along information that they receive from top finishers.

Since I review all the information – and even participate in a few of these events - it is apparent that some competitors aren’t being honest.

That not only blows my mind, but diminishes the credibility of this website as well as the angler.

If it’s so important that you hide that you won a couple hundred bucks skipping docks or scoping a jig and minnow in 50 feet, just tell the tournament director, “I’d rather not say.”

That’s what Trevor Paulus said after winning The Tackle Shack tourney on Lake Charlevoix this summer. He had his reasons and we can respect that.

It’s a lot better than lyin’.

So, if you’re fortunate enough to get a check at one of these Michiana derbies, please provide legitimate details.

We aren’t asking for your secret spot. We just want basic, honest details, like, “half ounce green pumpkin jig on outer weed edges,” “Pop Rs over shallow weeds,” “scoping suspended bass with jig/minnows in 40 feet,” “cranking Rapala crankbaits on 10-foot weed edges,” or whatever pattern worked best for you.

Or, simply tell the director, “I’d rather not say.”