1. Where to fish
Looking for a
good catch? The
fisheries biologists
from the Indiana
Division of Fish
& Wildlife have
compiled a list
of the best pan
fishing lakes in
Indiana.
Here is their
advice for the
four-county area:
• Sylvan Lake,
a 669-acre
man-made
reservoir near
Rome City, is
known for its
bluegill fishing.
Some bluegill
reach 9 inches,
about a third of
the adult bluegill
are 7 inches or
larger. The best
places to catch
them are the Cain
Basin on the
east end of the
lake and along
the 8- to 10-foot
dropoffs in the
western basin.
Redworms, flies
and crickets are
the most effective
bait.
• Skinner Lake, a
125-acre natural
lake near Albion,
is known for
crappie fishing.
Biologists say
not to expect
to catch a lot of
big crappies, but
plenty that are
keeper size. They
suggest fishing for
crappies in May
over developing
lily pads in
the corners of
the lake. Live
minnows and
small white jigs
are the most
effective baits.
• The 200 acres
of Shipshewana
Lake are good
for bluegill fishing
according to
fishery biologists.
The lake is very
shallow and
produces good
bluegill yearly.
The lake also has
quality crappie
and large-mouth
bass fishing.
• Big Long Lake,
another lake in
LaGrange County,
has some of
the best bluegill
fishing in the area.
Bluegill average 8
inches with some
bluegill over 10
inches. The lake is
365 acres.
• Clear Lake
has 800 acres
in Steuben
County with
quality bluegill,
not quantity,
according to the
biologists. Bluegill
harvested average
8.5 inches with
fish up to 10.4
inches.
WHERE TO CANOE, KAYAK IN NORTHEAST INDIANA
SEECANOEING SPOTS, PAGE C2
CSUNDAY, JULY 13, 2014
The
StarTHE NEWS SUN THE HERALD REPUBLICAN kpcnews.com
KENDALLVILLE
KENDALLVILLE
ANGOLA
More events at
kpcnews.com
AREA
EVENTS
ONLINE
5-K-9 run on Aug. 9
will aid K-9 program
Two six-legged K-9 teams
that sniff out crime for the
Angola Police Department
are the focus of an Aug. 9
fundraiser.
The teams have German
shepherds and consist of K-9
officer Case Gilbert and his
partner, Yogi, and K-9 officer
Trent Crooks and his dog, Jax.
Angola Police Chief Stu
Hamblen said the 5-K-9 run on
Aug. 9 will be about 3.1 miles
long. The route shaped like
a figure eight will start at the
Selman Timber Frame and wind
around Angola High School and
Commons Park.
“It’s to continue to fund our
K-9 program,” Hamblen said.
The run’s early entry fee
is $20 and includes a T-shirt.
Late registration and the day of
the race will be $25. Trophies
will be given. Snacks will be
available. Registration starts at
7 a.m. and the race takes off at
9 a.m.
Also at the event will be a
one-mile fun walk with dogs.
Hamblen said the event is
good for people to know how
K-9 teams and police do their
jobs.
For more information on
the race, call 665-2121. Race
registration forms are also
available at the Public Safety
Building, 202 W. Gilmore St.
‘Stomp Out the Stigma’
5K will be Sept. 6
at Bixler Lake Park
The second-annual
Northeastern Center New
Hope Clubhouse “Stomp Out
the Stigma” Mental Health
Awareness 5K will take place
Saturday, Sept. 6, in Bixler Lake
Park, Kendallville.
Proceeds will be used
for the clubhouse audio/
video technology center. The
technology center assists
clubhouse members in achieving
their educational and career
goals, including the GED.
Early bird registration is
accepted through Wednesday,
July 20. The fee is $16.
During regular registration
from July 21-Aug. 17, the fee is
$20. Late registration continues
after Aug. 17 when the fee will
be $25.
Registration forms are
available online at getmeregis-
tered.com/StompOutTheStigma.
New Hope Clubhouse is
a self-help program based in
Kendallville for adult men
and women recovering from
mental illness. Clubhouse serves
members in Noble, LaGrange,
DeKalb and Steuben counties
who work side-by-side with staff
to strengthen their self-confi-
dence, feel and be more produc-
tive and to become more of a
part of the community.
Christian concert
planned for Noble
County Fair Friday
A Christian concert will take
place at the grandstand at the
Noble County Fair Friday at 7
p.m.
Christian rock legends Kutless
will headline the concert. Also
performing will be the John Doe
Trio and Regeneration.
Presale tickets are available at
the Noble County Fair website or
at the Noble County Fairgrounds.
Grandstand tickets cost $10, and
seats on the track $12.
BY OCTAVIA LEHMAN
olehman@kpcmedia.com
T
he Fawn River in northeast
Indiana is a twisting,
narrow, shallow 44-mile
stretch of water. It rises from a
lake in the northwest corner of
Steuben County and has consider-
able marsh along its banks.
According to the Indiana Depart-
ment of Natural Resources, the
Fawn River is one Indiana’s most
adventurous rivers. Tim Mullins
of Shipshewana and his wife, Lori,
opened their own river adventure,
T & L Country Canoes, in 2013 on
the Fawn River. Mullins grew up
on the Pigeon River, canoeing and
spending his time outdoors.
A self-declared “water baby,” Mullins
said as a child he was on the river playing
with animals. A canoeing business was a
natural fit. “What better way to let people
enjoy the water,” he said.
T & L Country Canoes sits on a dirt
road, nearly 15 minutes from the center
of Shipshewana. Because of the deep
marsh land, few homes are directly on the
river that snakes in and out of Indiana and
Michigan.
When the Mullinses started T & L,
they installed a portage so that canoers
can transport their canoes from the river
to a pond on the property.
Riveradventures
Top Area Canoeing and Fishing Spots
The Fawn River, a 44-mile
stretch of water in northeast
Indiana, travels through
Indiana and Michigan. The
Indiana Department of
Natural Resources calls
it “one of Indiana’s most
adventurous rivers.”
Above, kayak
rentals are
available at
T & L Country
Canoes in
Shipshewana.
Right, Tim
Mullins stands
on the dock
overlooking
the Fawn River.
Mullins and
his wife, Lori,
opened T&L
Country Canoes
in 2013.
T & L Country
Canoes has a fleet
of 50 canoes and 20
kayaks.
PHOTOS BY
OCTAVIA LEHMAN
COST
T & L Country Canoes
A one-hour trip is $22.50 for canoe and $18.50
for kayak. Rentals are available seven days a week,
and there are five route options. Those looking for
a challenge can try the “Extreme Survival” route, a
seven-hour experience for adults only. Mullins said
the route carries more prestige and only a handful,
“mostly locals” have finished the route.