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South Chain Lake

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Indiana, United States

5.0·18 catches

Top fish species at South Chain Lake

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Check which species have trophy potential in South Chain Lake

South Chain Lake fishing reports

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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length · weight

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

11 in · 1 lb

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General info

South Chain Lake is a lake located in Saint Joseph County, Indiana, United States. It is most popular for fishing Largemouth bass, Northern pike, and Channel catfish.

Location

41°41′1.5″N 86°22′13.5″W
Directions

When are Largemouth Bass biting on South Chain Lake?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at South Chain 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 South Chain Lake, IN

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 Indiana 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
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
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
Channel catfish

Channel catfish

Regulation boundaryIndiana State Waters
Bag limit10

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.

Aggregate limit10

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

Memorable / trophy limits1 > 28

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
These regulations are for channel catfish in lakes and reservoirs. Exceptions: Turtle Creek Reservoir: no bag limit for catfishOn Fidler Pond in Elkhart County: daily bag limit = 5 channel catfishOn Failing Lake (also known as Gentian Lake) in Steuben County: daily bag limit = 5 channel catfishOn Flat Fork Creek Park ponds A and B in Hamilton County: daily bag limit = 5 channel catfish Channel catfish regulations for streams are as follows: minimum size = 13-inches total length;daily bag limit = no more than one channel catfish 28 inches or longer may be kept.
Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Channel Catfish by BlueGabe
Synonyms
Ictalurus punctatus
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Local laws and licenses

Indiana fishing license

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Reviews of South Chain Lake

5.0
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1 ratings

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Cities nearby

South Bend

5.2 miles away

New Carlisle

6.4 miles away

Galien

10.5 miles away

Mishawaka

10.5 miles away

North Liberty

10.9 miles away

Lakeville

11.8 miles away

Niles

12.2 miles away

Fish Lake

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Granger

12.7 miles away

Rolling Prairie

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Wyatt

15.1 miles away

La Paz

16.1 miles away

New Troy

16.3 miles away

Edwardsburg

16.7 miles away

Koontz Lake

19.3 miles away

Bremen

19.8 miles away

Elkhart

21.0 miles away

Eau Claire

21.1 miles away

Wakarusa

21.1 miles away

Plymouth

23.3 miles away

Cassopolis

24.4 miles away

Dowagiac

24.6 miles away

Nappanee

25.5 miles away

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FAQ about South Chain Lake fishing

📍 Where is South Chain Lake located?
South Chain Lake is a lake located in Saint Joseph County, Indiana, United States. Its coordinates are:
41°41′1.5″N 86°22′13.5″W
.
🎣 Where on South Chain Lake is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on South Chain 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 South Chain Lake?
The most common species in South Chain Lake are:
📢 What are the latest South Chain Lake fishing reports?
The latest South Chain Lake fishing reports are:
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at South Chain Lake?

Fishing in Indiana requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Licenses include resident and non-resident, annual and short-term, available online and at licensed vendors.

In Indiana, no fishing license is required for anglers under 18. Residents 64 and older qualify for a discounted license. 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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