LaPorte County, IN · Great Lakes
Washington Park Beach (Michigan City)
Washington Park Beach (Michigan City) offers public shoreline and pier access on the Great Lakes in LaPorte County. Common targets include walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, steelhead, chinook salmon, coho salmon, and lake trout.
Live · updated
Top pick today
Walleye — Great day to fish for Walleye.
Best conditions of 7 species tracked at Washington Park Beach (Michigan City).
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Washington Park Beach (Michigan City)
7 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Walleye Great day to fish for Walleye. In season 80/100
What's helping
- Dark moon — walleye feeds aggressively in low light
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Sander vitreus — Maryland's premier cool-water gamefish. Deep Creek Lake is the flagship fishery; also found in the non-tidal Potomac and the Youghiogheny River. Low-light feeder — dusk, dawn, and overcast/windy days are prime. Jigs, crankbaits, and nightcrawler harnesses are standard.
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · either tide · depth 10–40 ft.
Last verified 12 days ago on 2026-08-28. Open source page →
- Min size
- 16"
- Daily creel
- 6
Indiana Lake Michigan (north of SR-26): 16" minimum, 6/day (walleye/sauger/hybrid in aggregate) per the statewide rule.
Source: Indiana regulations · verified 2026-08-28.
#2 Smallmouth Bass Workable day for Smallmouth Bass. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Micropterus dolomieu — Premier gamefish of the non-tidal Potomac, the Upper Susquehanna, and Deep Creek Lake. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish. Hits tubes, crayfish imitations, spinnerbaits, and topwater poppers.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 3–30 ft.
Last verified 12 days ago on 2026-08-28. Open source page →
- Min size
- 14"
- Daily creel
- 3
Indiana Lake Michigan proper: 14" minimum, 3/day (black bass in aggregate). Lake Michigan tributaries differ (12–15" protected slot, 5/day).
Source: Indiana regulations · verified 2026-08-28.
#2 Steelhead Workable day for Steelhead. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Oncorhynchus mykiss — Lake- or sea-run rainbow trout — chrome-bright fighters that ascend tributaries from fall through spring. The Great Lakes tributary steelhead run (Lake Erie’s “steelhead alley,” Lake Ontario, Michigan rivers) is a destination fishery; bite keys on flow and water clarity.
Prefers. Water 40–55°F (ideal 48°F) · either tide · depth 2–60 ft.
Last verified 103 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 5
5 trout & salmon in combination per day on Lake Michigan (no more than 3 lake trout).
Source: Indiana regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Chinook Salmon Workable day for Chinook Salmon. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Oncorhynchus tshawytscha — The “king” — the largest Pacific salmon and the marquee stocked predator of the Great Lakes. Trolled over open water through summer, then staged off river mouths and run up tributaries on the fall spawning push. Flow and water temperature drive the river bite.
Prefers. Water 42–58°F (ideal 50°F) · either tide · depth 15–150 ft.
Last verified 103 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 5
5 trout & salmon in combination per day on Lake Michigan (no more than 3 lake trout).
Source: Indiana regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Coho Salmon Workable day for Coho Salmon. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Oncorhynchus kisutch — “Silvers” — acrobatic, aggressive salmon that school near the surface and along piers in summer before their fall tributary run. A staple of the Great Lakes stocking program and the Pacific coast alike.
Prefers. Water 44–58°F (ideal 53°F) · either tide · depth 10–120 ft.
Last verified 103 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 5
5 trout & salmon in combination per day on Lake Michigan (no more than 3 lake trout).
Source: Indiana regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Lake Trout Workable day for Lake Trout. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Salvelinus namaycush — The native deepwater char of the Great Lakes and cold northern lakes. Holds in cold, deep water through summer and moves shallow to reefs in spring and fall. Targeted by deep trolling, jigging, and from shore early and late in the season.
Prefers. Water 40–52°F (ideal 48°F) · either tide · depth 30–200 ft.
Last verified 103 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 5
5 trout & salmon in combination per day on Lake Michigan (no more than 3 lake trout).
Source: Indiana regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#7 Yellow Perch Workable day for Yellow Perch. In season 62/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- incoming tide — yellow perch prefers slack tide
About. Perca flavescens — Late-winter and early-spring favorite. Schools up in tidal tributaries for the pre-spawn run in February and March, taking small minnows, shad darts, and small jigs. A classic Eastern Shore "neds" fishery.
Prefers. Water 45–70°F (ideal 58°F) · slack tide · depth 5–30 ft.
Last verified 12 days ago on 2026-08-28. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 15
Indiana waters of Lake Michigan: 15/day, no size limit, no closed season.
Source: Indiana regulations · verified 2026-08-28.
Location Info
Water Body
Great Lakes
Region
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Indiana
Coordinates
Local reports & rules for Washington Park Beach (Michigan City): Indiana DNR fishing report → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Washington Park Beach (Michigan City)?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Washington Park Beach (Michigan City) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Washington Park Beach (Michigan City)?
Washington Park Beach (Michigan City) is listed on this site for 7 commonly-targeted species: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass, Steelhead, and 3 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Washington Park Beach (Michigan City)?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Washington Park Beach (Michigan City) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Washington Park Beach (Michigan City) have?
Washington Park Beach (Michigan City) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Washington Park Beach (Michigan City)?
state agency regulations apply at Washington Park Beach (Michigan City). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Washington Park Beach (Michigan City) tidal water?
No. Washington Park Beach (Michigan City) is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.