Visit Fish Lake LaPorte Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Fish Lake, Indiana: Experience the catching bird paradise "Blue Channel" and try out the angular challenges of "Sagamore Lodge". On the banks of Lake Michigan you will find pleasant accommodation and a quiet atmosphere. #Travel tips #Indiana
Honestly, if you're looking for Fish Lake attractions, you'll have to understand that this little spot Earth is actually a relic of the last ice age – a glazial lake that, after the retreat of the Laurentids, embedded itself in today's Lincoln Township of LaPorte County. The first settlers arrived in the early 19th. century because they thought the water was good for fishing and the land for cultivation; Today, the water is rather a quiet retreat for people who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of Chicago. I don’t understand the hype about the “rustic idyll” completely, but the quiet stroller of the waves has something calming that you rarely find in the crowded amusement parks.
When you arrive here, take the I‐90 towards the east and then bend to the US‐20 at exit 33 – this is the fastest route if you don't like walking on land roads. If you prefer to relax, you can take the local bus from La Porte to Rolling Prairie and then cycle a few kilometers by bike across the field routes; this is not only environmentally friendly, but gives you the chance to see the fields that once formed the basic supply of the early peasant families.
Once on the shore, do not let yourself be dazzled by the usual tourist clichés – the real highlight is the old wooden boat, which has been on the bridge since the 1920s and has more stories to tell than some guide book author. And yes, this is definitely one of the Fish Lake attractions that I personally recommend again and again because it embodies the authentic, slightly worn heart of this place.
So if you ask me, this is Fish Even the absolute heart – and I mean it not only because I laid my fishing rod there, but because the water here actually has a little more character than the turbid cheek of some town ponds. I don't quite understand the hype about huge, overflowing bathing lakes, but here there is a small but fine 30-hectar lake, which is populated in summer by Anglers, Families and the one to two overmotivated kayaks. The best thing: fishing is free, the water is clear enough to see the cocks of the cash, and most days there is a friendly angler who gives you a few tips on the best baits – no joke, I actually got a 12-inch Lyrgemouth bass there, and that was the only time I didn't feel like a complete beginners when fishing.
Right on the shore Fish Lake County Park, a place I like to call the “Swiss Pocket Knife” of the area. There are picnic tables that you can almost always reserve when you come early enough, and a small playground that consists more of rusty metal parts than you would expect – but hey, the kids love it. I once held a barbecue with some friends; the parking staff was super nice, even gave us some extra coals because our grill was suddenly “too hot”. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then local football teams hold their tournaments.
A short walk leads you to Fish Lake Nature Trail, an approximately 1.5 km long tour which leads around the lake. The path is well maintained, has a few information boards about the local flora and fauna – for the first time I discovered a rare blue wing scorpion, which made me quite proud because I never know so much about insects. The trail is not exactly a marathon, but it offers enough variety to drive the boredom if you need some movement after a day in the water.
If you prefer to go to the water, it's Fish Lake Boat your next stop. The ramp area is small but functional, and the staff is usually friendly as long as you don't try to park your huge inflatable in the middle of the week – this leads to slanted views and occasional discussions about “place for all”. I once borrowed a kayak and I paddledled over the lake for a few hours while the sun slowly went down – that was definitely a highlight I don't want to miss.
Another highlight that I do not want to conceal is the Fish Lake Fishing Pier. The pier is not particularly high, but it offers a good overview of the water and is a popular meeting place for local anglers who like to exchange their stories. I remember an old gentleman who told me that he has fished here for over 30 years and that he makes the “big catch” every year in August – he said it was a largemouth bass over 20 lb, but I think it was a joke. Nevertheless, the conversation showed me that there is a real community spirit.
For those looking for a cultural swallow, there is Fish Lake Community Center. The building is inconspicuous from the outside, but local art exhibitions, senior meetings and occasional yoga classes regularly take place inside. I took part in a “art and wine” evening where a local painter presented his landscape paintings – that was a real eye opener, because I thought the area was only good for fishing and grilling, but here there is actually a small but fine art life.
And because I don't just want to tell what's to be found here, here's a little insider: The western shore section, which the locals lovingly call “Sunset Spot”, is the perfect place to simply let the soul bangle after a long day at the lake. I have often watched the sunset there while I enjoyed a cool beer from the cooler – that's what I mean when I get from Fish Lake attractions speak: not the exaggerated advertising promises, but the small, authentic moments you only find when you take a little time.
So, next time you think about where you want to spend your next break, grab your fishing, picnic and curiosity – Fish Lake has more to offer than you would suspect at first glance, and I promise you you will not be disappointed as long as you are willing to sneak a bit and accept the unperfect.
The first morning at Fish Lake was a bit too early for the usual tourist exhaust, but that was exactly what I needed to get the day with a trip to the Indiana Dunes National Park to start. I packed my hiking shoes because the weather – a typical autumn with a light breeze from the lake – was perfect for the long sandy paths that wind along the coast of Lake Michigan. The park is not just a secret tip, but the view from West Beach is so unpredictable that I almost forgot that I am just a few kilometers from my favorite lake. A short stop at the visitor center, where a friendly Ranger gave me some insider tips, was enough to refine my route: a trip to the Dunes Creek, where I discovered a few rare wild flowers I only know from picture volumes.
After the sand and the dunes it was time for a bit of history, and that led me to LaPorte County Historical Society Museum. The building itself is an old, slightly cracking mansion from the 19th century. Century that has more stories to tell than I could handle in a long evening at the local pub. I discovered an old photo of a steam ship that once took the St. Joseph River – a picture that immediately reminds me of the many boat trips I took here in my youth. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the museum is then overrun by school classes.
A short jump over the street and I stood on the banks of the St. Joseph Riverwhere I borrowed a kayak that had more rust than color, but still float. The river is an underestimated jewel for those who want a little paddle action without the whole Indiana-Dunes-Trubel. I fought a bit downstream, past small ports and old warehouses, enjoying the quiet water plunder – a sound that you rarely hear in the city. The dock is free, but a bit of patience is necessary because the locals often occupy the best places.
A few miles further, almost like from a movie, this is Michigan City Lighthouse. I have to admit, I have never understood the hype about lighthouses until I stood there and had a glimpse over the glistening surface of the lake. The ascent to the top is a bit steep, but the reward is a panorama that would amaze even the most sceptical Instagram influencer. I found an old logbook that was handwritten by a lighthouse guard from the 1920s – a small treasure that allowed the time to stand still while the waves continued to roll.
Back inland, but still not too far from Fish Lake, lies the charming Potawatomi Park in LaPorte. The park is a popular meeting place for families, but I used it for a quiet picnic with my dog while watching a few old trees that seem to have been there for centuries. The playground is noisy, that's clear, but the small café on the outskirts serves the best homemade apple cake I've ever tasted – a sweet contrast to the salty snacks you'll find on the lake. A short note: parking is short on weekends, so better to come early.
A little further south, almost like a hidden jewel, is the LaPorte County Courthouse. The building is an impressive example of Victorian architecture that, with its copper dome, thrones almost like a small lighthouse above the city. I made a tour there with a local historian who told me that the court building once served as a meeting point for secret societies – a rumor that I never wanted to fully believe until I saw the old logs in the archive. The courtyard is a perfect place to shoot a few photos, and parking is almost always free thanks to a small side street.
At the end of the day I have another trip to LaPorte County Fairgrounds made even though no fair was running. The terrain is huge, with old fair stands still attracting a little dust, and a large open space that will be concerts and food truck festivals in summer. I discovered an old carousel there that still works – a nostalgic look back to childhood, which reminded me of why I even moved here. Parking is a children's game there because the terrain is barely used when there is no event.
Whether you're looking for nature, history or a bit of local nature, Fish Lake's surroundings offer more than enough Fish Lake attractionsto experience a new adventure every day – and all this with an eye-catcher, which brings even the most cynical travellers to sneak.
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