Wabash River
Wabash River
- Boat Ramps
- 31
- Access Points
- 36
- Species
- 57
The Wabash River is one of the largest free-flowing rivers east of the Mississippi, originating near Fort Recovery, Ohio and flowing southwest for approximately 500 miles through Indiana before forming the boundary between Indiana and Illinois until it meets the Ohio River above Old Shawneetown, Illinois. With a total drainage area of about 33,000 square miles (two-thirds of which is agricultural land), the Wabash River offers diverse fishing opportunities along its course. It flows unimpeded for over 400 miles from the Huntington Dam in Indiana to its confluence with the Ohio, making it a unique and vibrant fishing destination. Unlike other large Illinois rivers, the Wabash has no navigation channel, which contributes to its natural character and diverse fishery. The river's depth can vary significantly from just 6 inches to 50 feet depending on water levels.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Wabash 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
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
Walleye
Sander vitreus
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Bigmouth Buffalo
Ictiobus cyprinellus
Black Buffalo
Ictiobus niger
Black Bullhead
Ameiurus melas
Black Redhorse
Moxostoma duquesnei
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
Blue Sucker
Cycleptus elongatus
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Brown Bullhead
Ameiurus nebulosus
Burbot
Lota lota
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
Freshwater Drum
Aplodinotus grunniens
Golden Redhorse
Moxostoma erythrurum
Grass Carp
Grass Pickerel
Esox americanus
Green Sunfish
Lepomis cyanellus
Highfin Carpsucker
Carpiodes velifer
Longear Sunfish
Lepomis megalotis
Longnose Gar
Lepisosteus osseus
Northern Hogsucker
Hypentelium nigricans
Orangespotted Sunfish
Lepomis humilis
Paddlefish
Polyodon spathula
Pumpkinseed
Lepomis gibbosus
Quillback Carpsucker
Carpiodes cyprinus
Redear Sunfish
Lepomis microlophus
River Carpsucker
Carpiodes carpio
River Redhorse
Moxostoma carinatum
Rock Bass
Ambloplites rupestris
Sauger
Sander canadensis
Shorthead Redhorse Sucker
Moxostoma macrolepidotum
Shortnose Gar
Lepisosteus platostomus
Silver Carp
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Wabash 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.
Know where you can legally fish on Wabash 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.
Indiana Fishing License
Non-resident youth age 17 or younger are exempt from a fishing license, state migratory waterfowl stamp, and gamebird habitat stamp.
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.
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
Take Wabash 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 Wabash River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Wabash River to find where and when fish are biting for you.
Get the onWater Fish app
Free on iOS and Android
Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish Wabash River and check the forecast before you go.
WABASH RIVER AT COVINGTON, IN
All Flow Stations
Fishing near Wabash River
Sangamon River
Kaskaskia River
Lake Vermilion
Lake Mingo
Sugar Creek
Middle Fork Vermilion River
Vermilion River
Cecil M Harden Lake
Homer Lake
Explore Indiana waters
Top fishing waters
Popular Cities
Loading popular cities...
Explore near Wabash River
Fish species
Fishing spots
Nearby waters
More in Indiana
Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.
onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.