Portage-Burns Waterway

Saltwater
Sea area

Portage-Burns Waterway

Saltwater
Sea area

Sq. miles: 0.1
Boat Ramps: 1
Access Points: 1
Species: 10

The Portage-Burns Waterway is a significant canal system in Porter County, Indiana, serving as a vital conduit connecting inland areas to Lake Michigan. This engineered waterway provides both sheltered fishing opportunities within its channel and direct access to the expansive, deep-water fishery of Lake Michigan. The waterway flows through a mixed-use landscape in northwest Indiana, ultimately draining into the southern basin of Lake Michigan. It is a cornerstone of the regional Deep River-Portage Burns Waterway Watershed, the largest watershed in Northwest Indiana's Lake Michigan drainage area, covering nearly 180 square miles across Lake and Porter Counties.

Indiana licenses and regulations5 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Portage-Burns Waterway and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Chinook Salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Coho Salmon

Oncorhynchus kisutch

Freshwater Drum

Aplodinotus grunniens

Lake Trout

Salvelinus namaycush

Steelhead

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Portage-Burns Waterway. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Portage Marina Access

Access Point

Know where you can legally fish on Portage-Burns Waterway

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Indiana licenses and regulations

Indiana Dunes National Park Rules

Indiana State License Required. You need a valid Indiana state fishing license to fish anywhere in the park. Pick up your license before you arrive and keep it on you while fishing. Hook and Line Only. Fishing is only allowed with a hook and line, and your rod or line must be closely attended at all times. Crossbow fishing is not permitted in the park. No Chumming or Bait Digging. Placing fish eggs, food, fish parts, or any other substance in fresh water to attract fish is prohibited. Digging for bait or using bait dug from park grounds is also not allowed. Smelt Fishing Needs a Fire Permit. If you plan to smelt fish, you must carry a Smelt Season Fire Permit. Get yours at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center before heading out. No Motorized Boat Launches. Launching motorized vessels from any land within Indiana Dunes National Park is prohibited. Use commercial or county facilities in Porter, Lake, or LaPorte counties instead. Wear a Life Jacket on the Water. Always use a certified personal flotation device when on the water. Lake Michigan conditions can shift from calm to dangerous very quickly.

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Indiana Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Indiana Fishing License

Non-resident youth age 17 or younger are exempt from a fishing license, state migratory waterfowl stamp, and gamebird habitat stamp.

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Indiana Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Indiana Stream Access Laws

Public recreation and boating are allowed on all navigable, state-owned waters/riverbeds. That determination, however, can be difficult to ascertain. We recommend consulting a stream roster on indiana.gov

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Take Portage-Burns Waterway with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Portage-Burns Waterway to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Portage-Burns Waterway to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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Free on iOS and Android

Tides, wind & water conditions (10 day forecast)

On open water, wind and tide matter as much as the weather. See the best times to fish Portage-Burns Waterway and check the marine forecast before you launch.

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