Map

Red Water Lake

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Michigan, United States

8 catches

Top fish species at Red Water Lake

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Check which species have trophy potential in Red Water Lake

Red Water Lake fishing reports

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Northern pike

length · weight

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Eyetail bowfin

length · weight

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Northern pike

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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Northern pike

22 in · 5 lb

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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General info

Red Water Lake is a lake located in Branch County, Michigan, United States. It is also intersecting with Steuben County, Indiana. It is most popular for fishing Northern pike, Largemouth bass, and Eyetail bowfin.

Location

41°45′41.9″N 85°06′34.3″W
Directions

When are Northern Pike biting on Red Water Lake?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Red Water Lake. Download Fishbrain today to look for new fishing spots, scout new fishing access, or prep for your next trip.

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Fishing regulations at Red Water Lake, MI

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Michigan can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Northern pike

Northern pike

Regulation boundaryIndiana State Waters
Bag limit3

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size24" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Memorable / trophy limits1 > 30

The maximum number of trophy individuals legally harvested per harvester per day. A trophy is any individual of a length greater than the max size limit. Trophy individuals are included in the daily bag limit unless stated otherwise.

Additional information
No more than one northern pike 30-inches or longer. Exceptions: At Hamilton Lake (Steuben County): bag limit = no more than 6 fish per day; At Hamilton Lake (Steuben County): no minimum size limit with no more than 1 northern pike more than 30-inches long
Synonyms
Esox lucius
Season open: year-round
Largemouth bass

Largemouth bass

Regulation boundaryIndiana State Waters
Bag limit5

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size14" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Aggregate limit5

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Additional information
These regulations are for largemouth bass in lakes. Largemouth bass regulations for rivers and streams are as follows: size limit = no black bass 12 to 15-inches total length may be kept, and no more than 2 black bass over 15-inches total length may be kept;daily bag limit = 5 black bass (any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass) Largemouth bass regulations for Lake Michigan are as follows: minimum size = 14-inches total length;daily bag limit = 3 black bass (any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass) Special Regulations for Lakes:Lake LimitsOn Fidler Pond in Elkhart Countydaily bag limit = 2 largemouth bass; minimum size = 18-inches total lengthFailing Lake (also known as Gentian Lake) in Steuben Countydaily bag limit = 2 largemouth bass; minimum size = 18-inches total lengthFlat Fork Creek Park ponds A and B in Hamilton Countydaily bag limit = 2 largemouth bass; minimum size = 18-inches total lengthLake Limits by County 15-inch minimum size limit: Patoka Lake (Orange, Dubois, and Crawford counties) 16-inch minimum size limit: Cecil M. Harden Lake (Parke County) 18-inch minimum size limit and two fish daily bag limit: Ball Lake (Steuben County) Blue Grass, Loon Pit (Warrick County) Fidler Pond (Elkhart County) Failing Lake, also known as Gentian Lake (Steuben County) Flat Fork Creek Park ponds A and B (Hamilton County) Kunkel Lake (Wells County) Robinson Lake (Whitley and Kosciusko counties) All lakes at Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area (Kosciukso, Noble, and Elkhart counties)Bixler Lake, Henderson Lake, Little Long Lake, and Round Lake (Noble County)20-inch minimum size limit and one fish daily bag limit: Turtle Creek Reservoir (Sullivan County) 12- to 15-inch slot size limits (At the following lakes, largemouth bass that are from 12 to 15 inches in length may not be harvested. The daily bag limit applies to bass under 12 inches and over 15 inches): • Buffalo Trace Lake (Harrison County)• Ferdinand State Forest Lake (Dubois County)• Montgomery City Park Lake (Daviess County)12- to 15-inch slot size limit (no more than two bass larger than 15 inches): Big Long Lake (LaGrange County) No minimum size limit waters: Brownstown Pit (Jackson County)Burdette Park lakes (Vanderburgh County)Chandler Town Lake (Warrick County)Cypress Lake (Jackson County)Deming Park lakes (Vigo County) Garvin Park Lake (Vanderburgh County)Glen Miller Pond (Wayne County)Hayswood Lake (Harrison County)Henry County Memorial Park Lake (Henry County)Hovey Lake at Hovey Lake Fish & Wildlife Area (Posey County)Krannert Lake (Marion County)Lake Sullivan (Marion County)Ruster Lake (Marion County)Schnebelt Pond (Dearborn County)  Special Regulations for Rivers & Streams Ohio Riverdaily bag limit = 6 black bass (any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass)minimum size = 12-inches total length20-inch minimum size limit and one fish daily bag limit: Sugar Creek (Montgomery, Parke, Boone, Clinton, and Tipton counties)12-inch minimum size limit (5 bass daily limit): All rivers and streams in Posey, Vanderburgh, Warrick, Spencer, Perry, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Clark, Jefferson, Switzerland, Ohio, and Dearborn counties (with the exception of the Blue River, where the slot limit applies in Crawford, Harrison, and Washington counties). 
Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Largemouth Bass by BlueGabe
Synonyms
Micropterus nigricans
Season open: year-round
Eyetail bowfin

Eyetail bowfin

Regulation boundaryIndiana State Waters
Additional information
No bag limit. No size limit. No closed season. If a bowfin contains roe, the roe must remain intact and inside the body of the fish while on the body of water or adjacent to the water being fished, and until processing of the fish begins. An individual must not: screen; wash; otherwise process; preserve; store; maintain possession; gift to any other individual; sell; or transport; roe removed from a bowfin without a roe harvester's license. A bow and arrow or crossbow can be used year-round at any time of day to take Asian carp, bowfin, buffalo fish, common carp, gar, shad, and suckers from streams, rivers, and non-flowing waters (including lakes, ponds, and reservoirs). A fishing license is required to use a bow and arrow or crossbow as fishing equipment. Bowfin, buffalo fish, carp, gar, shad, and sucker from Lake Michigan can be taken with a bow and arrow. A gig, fish spear, speargun, or underwater spear can be used year-round at any time of day to take Asian carp, bowfin, buffalo fish, common carp, gar, shad, and suckers from non-flowing waters (including lakes, ponds, and reservoirs) and the following large rivers: Kankakee River, upstream to the SR 55 bridge Maumee River, upstream to the Anthony Boulevard bridge in Fort Wayne St. Joseph River, upstream from Twin Branch Dam in Elkhart and St. Joseph counties Tippecanoe River, upstream to one-half mile below its confluence with Big Creek
in Carroll County. Fish spears and fish
gigs cannot be used in, on, or adjacent to Tippecanoe River from a half-mile below its juncture with Big Creek in Carroll County upstream to the Oakdale Dam. Wabash River, upstream to SR 13 in Wabash White River, upstream from the Wabash River to the junction of East and West forks White River/East Fork, upstream to the dam at the south edge of Columbus White River/West Fork, upstream to the dam below Harding Street in Indianapolis 
Edibility
Poor
Synonyms
Amia calva, Mudfish, choupique
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Local laws and licenses

Michigan fishing license

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Cities nearby

Wall Lake

5.2 miles away

Bronson

8.8 miles away

Fremont

9.1 miles away

Otter Lake

9.1 miles away

Angola

9.8 miles away

Wildwood

12.3 miles away

Coldwater

14.0 miles away

Clear Lake

14.0 miles away

Ontario

14.7 miles away

Montgomery

15.7 miles away

Hudson

15.9 miles away

Sturgis

16.1 miles away

Howe

16.5 miles away

Metz

17.2 miles away

Colon

17.5 miles away

South Milford

17.9 miles away

Hamilton

18.1 miles away

Adams Lake

18.3 miles away

Corunna

22.6 miles away

Kendallville

23.2 miles away

Shipshewana

24.8 miles away

Brimfield

25.9 miles away

Shipshewana Lake

26.2 miles away

Topeka

27.3 miles away

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FAQ about Red Water Lake fishing

📍 Where is Red Water Lake located?
Red Water Lake is a lake located in Branch County, Michigan, United States. It is also intersecting with Steuben County, Indiana. Its coordinates are:
41°45′41.9″N 85°06′34.3″W
.
🎣 Where on Red Water Lake is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Red Water Lake by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Red Water Lake?
The most common species in Red Water Lake are:
📢 What are the latest Red Water Lake fishing reports?
The latest Red Water Lake fishing reports are:
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Red Water Lake?

Fishing in Michigan requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Options include resident, non-resident, annual, short-term, and combination licenses, available online or at licensed agents.

In Michigan, no fishing license is required for anglers under 17 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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