Saint Joseph River

Boat Ramps: 29
Access Points: 31
Species: 45

The Saint Joseph River is a major waterway flowing through Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, spanning 206 miles from its headwaters at Baw Beese Lake in Michigan to its mouth at Lake Michigan between the cities of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. This diverse river system supports a rich aquatic ecosystem and provides excellent fishing opportunities year-round. With five distinct segments (Headwaters, Upper, Middle, Lower, and Mouth), the river transitions from a small, cool stream to a large, warm river that's known for its steelhead and salmon runs, as well as diverse warmwater fishing opportunities. The river has moderately stable flows due to its thick surficial layer of coarse-textured glacial deposits and pervious soils, offering a variety of fishing habitats from deep pools to riffles.

Indiana licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Saint Joseph River and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Cutthroat Trout

Oncorhynchus clarkii

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Black Buffalo

Ictiobus niger

Black Bullhead

Ameiurus melas

Black Redhorse

Moxostoma duquesnei

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Brown Bullhead

Ameiurus nebulosus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Chinook Salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Coho Salmon

Oncorhynchus kisutch

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Flathead Catfish

Pylodictis olivaris

Freshwater Drum

Aplodinotus grunniens

Golden Redhorse

Moxostoma erythrurum

Grass Pickerel

Esox americanus

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Lake Trout

Salvelinus namaycush

Lake Whitefish

Coregonus clupeaformis

Longear Sunfish

Lepomis megalotis

Longnose Gar

Lepisosteus osseus

Northern Hogsucker

Hypentelium nigricans

Orangespotted Sunfish

Lepomis humilis

Pumpkinseed

Lepomis gibbosus

Quillback Carpsucker

Carpiodes cyprinus

Redear Sunfish

Lepomis microlophus

River Redhorse

Moxostoma carinatum

Rock Bass

Ambloplites rupestris

Shorthead Redhorse Sucker

Moxostoma macrolepidotum

Silver Redhorse

Moxostoma anisurum

Spotted Bass

Micropterus punctulatus

Spotted Gar

Lepisosteus oculatus

Spotted Sucker

Minytrema melanops

Steelhead

Warmouth Sunfish

Lepomis gulosus

Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

Walleye19,427 fish · 1.2 inJun 9, 2026
Walleye25,986 fish · 1.2 inJun 9, 2026
Walleye20,105 fish · 1.4 inJun 3, 2026
Walleye15,072 fish · 1.4 inJun 3, 2026
Walleye23,062 fish · 1.4 inJun 3, 2026

Source

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Updated Nov 13, 2026. Sizes are the length the agency reports. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.

Open stocking page

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Saint Joseph River. 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.

Congdon Park Access

Access Point

Island Park (Elkhart) Access

Access Point

Know where you can legally fish on Saint Joseph River

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 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.

Learn more

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

Learn more

Take Saint Joseph River 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 Saint Joseph River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Saint Joseph River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

See the best times to fish Saint Joseph River and check the forecast before you go.

ST. JOSEPH RIVER NEAR FORT WAYNE, IN

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10 yr average

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