Schaefer Lake

Schaefer Lake is a reservoir in Bartholomew County, Indiana. Schaefer Lake covers about 86 acres and holds about 973 acre-feet.

What to Expect at Schaefer Lake

Schaefer Lake was made by holding back a river or creek, making the old channel, bends and quiet coves sensible places to begin.

Fish and Useful Baits at Schaefer Lake

Fish reported from Schaefer Lake include black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, common carp, gizzard shad, largemouth bass, redear sunfish, and white crappie.

Bass

For bass at Schaefer, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.

Crappie, Perch and Sunfish

For panfish at Schaefer, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill, redear or other sunfish.

Catfish, Bullheads and Carp

For bottom fishing at Schaefer, put cut bait, a nightcrawler or prepared bait on bottom for channel catfish, and use corn or dough bait on a simple bottom rig for carp.

A Simple Fishing Plan for Schaefer Lake

On a first trip to Schaefer, check incoming water, one bend in the old channel and a point near deep water with a moving lure, then slow down with a jig or worm where you get a bite.

When to Fish Schaefer Lake

Spring around Schaefer is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall around Schaefer can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.