Lake Monsters: The 10 Biggest Trophy Fish Ever Caught in Indiana

The state of Indiana is home to some of the best fishing in the Midwest. Lake Michigan, Monroe Lake, Lake Wawasee, Eagle Creek Reservoir, and the Ohio and Wabash rivers are just a few of the places to fish for bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, trout, salmon, and many others. Over the years, some monster fish have been caught in Indiana’s waters. Many of Indiana’s top trophy fish weigh more than 50 pounds. Read on to discover the 10 biggest lake monsters ever caught in Indiana’s waterways.

10. Lake Trout: 37 Pounds 8.8 Ounces

In 2016, angler Tyler Kreighbaum caught a lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Lake Michigan (Porter County) weighing 37 pounds and 8.8 ounces. Lake trout are the largest species of freshwater char found in North America. In the U.S., these fish are found in deep, cold lakes in the Great Lakes region and New England. In Indiana, they typically average around 7 pounds.

9. Chinook Salmon: 38 Pounds

Angler Rich Baker landed the largest chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) ever caught in Indiana in 1980. The fish weighed 38 pounds and was caught in Trail Creek in La Porte County. Indiana manages a Chinook salmon fishery in Lake Michigan and its tributaries, with restocking sites in East Chicago, Trail Creek, and Little Calumet River. Chinook salmon are the largest Pacific salmon species, typically weighing 20-30 pounds in Lake Michigan.

8. Striped Bass: 40 Pounds 3.8 Ounces

The largest striped bass (Morone saxatilis) ever recorded in Indiana was caught by anglers Ciara Hawkins and Emily Hatfield in 2023. The fish weighed 40 pounds and 3.8 ounces and was taken from Blue River in Harrison County. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources annually stocks area lakes with striped and hybrid striped bass. These fish typically weigh between 10 and 30 pounds.

7. Muskellunge: 42 Pounds 8 Ounces

In April 2002, fisherman Darrin Conley caught a 42.5-pound muskellunge (muskie or musky) in Kosciusko County’s James Lake. Muskies (Esox masquinongy) are native to Indiana’s Ohio River tributaries, but environmental changes caused natural populations to be nearly eliminated. In 1974, the state began efforts to re-establish muskies in their natural range. There are now 10 muskie populations in Indiana, all maintained through hatchery-raised fish. Muskies are among the largest fish in Indiana and are usually released, as they are prized for the challenge. They typically average 10–20 pounds.

6. Common Carp: 43 Pounds 4 Ounces

The common carp (Cyprinus carpio) typically averages 8 to 10 pounds, but it can grow considerably larger. Angler Russell Long caught the Indiana state-record common carp in 1989. This massive carp weighed 43 pounds and 4 ounces. It was caught in Pike Lake in Kosciusko County. These fish are widespread throughout Indiana and can be found in many lakes and rivers.

5. Buffalo: 53 Pounds 14.4 Ounces

Buffalo fish (genus Ictiobus) are large, native freshwater sucker fish found throughout Indiana’s deep lakes, backwaters, and reservoirs. In 2002, Kenneth R. Houchin caught a 53-pound 14.4-ounce buffalo in Oak Hill Pond in Gibson County. The record does not specify which species. Smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus) are the most common, but bigmouth and black buffalo also occur in the state. In the Midwest, smallmouth buffalo typically weigh 5 to 10 pounds.

4. Bighead Carp: 53 Pounds 8 Ounces

Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) are extremely invasive fish threatening Indiana rivers. It is illegal to possess live invasive carp in Indiana. These fish are voracious feeders of plankton, which reduces the amount of available food for native fish, threatening biodiversity. Angler Duane Stafford caught the state-record bighead carp in White River (Pike County) in 2000. The carp weighed 53 pounds and 8 ounces. These fish commonly reach around 40 pounds.

3. Grass Carp: 69 Pounds

The grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is another species of invasive fish, as it competes with native species for resources. Pond owners are allowed to use grass carp as a natural way to control aquatic vegetation, but there are strict rules around their use. These fish regularly reach 15–40 pounds, depending on the size of the water source. The largest grass carp ever caught in the state weighed 69 pounds. It was caught in Westons Pond in Hamilton County by angler Daniel Goss in 2018.

2. Flathead Catfish: 79 Pounds 8 Ounces

The largest flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) ever recorded in Indiana was caught by Glen T. Simpson in 1966. The fish was caught in the section of White River that flows through Lawrence County. This monster catfish weighed an incredible 79 pounds and 8 ounces. Adults typically weigh between 20-30 pounds in the region. In Indiana, flathead catfish are found in large, permanent bodies of water, such as the Wabash River, Patoka Lake, and of course, White River.

1. Blue Catfish: 104 Pounds 

Angler Bruce Midkiff holds the state record for the largest trophy fish in Indiana. On August 28, 1999, Midkiff caught a blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) weighing 104 pounds in the Ohio River’s Cannelton Dam tailwaters. These fish commonly weigh 20 to 40 pounds. Blue catfish are primarily found in major river systems with fast currents, particularly the Ohio and the Wabash.