Turtle Creek Res. Western Indiana

[Rand]

Anyone been to Turtle Creek lately? I am trying to find out if they have a HP restriction or Speed Limit. I knew that they were having a Speed Limit at some point. Wanting to go there in March but don't want to drive out there with boat if its a HP restriction.

Rand

[deadeye32.]

I called the DNR last year to ask that exact question, and they said you can bring any bass boat but its idle only.  I wonder what the water temp is there right now?

[Uncle Leo]

Unless it changed it is 10 HP.

[Blade-Runner]

I thought it was 10 mph.

[TommyBass]

Hey guys, sorry I just seen this post.

Its a 10 hp limit on the lake. If you have a bigger motor you are currently allowed to IDLE under a new trial period they are doing. I just took my boat out there the other day (90hp) and idled all over. It makes that lake fishable for me since I don't have a 10 hp kicker.

Sunday, 2/21/10 the farthest north water (where the bouys keep you from going farther) was 72 degrees. It gradualy gets colder as you head south, with most of the mid lake bay areas hovering around 60 degrees. Ramp water temperature was 41 I believe, but that day there was a north wind blowing the warmer water down.

I fished for 6 hours for bass without a bite (although I did pick up huge balls of shad all over the mid lake areas). Absolutely terrible how far down hill that lake has went. There are still some fish in there, but if you hit it on a bad weather day and they are lockjawed, good luck. I heard that a few weeks ago some people caught a few. To me, its not really worth going to if there is any open water anywhere else. I catch more fish on 38 degree strip pits than going there.

Good luck though, and definately post your results if you head out!

[Rand]

Anyone know if there is any primitive camping around Turtle Creek.

[TommyBass]

Pretty sure there isn't next to the lake.  There are couple little places right close that have cabins / campers or something that may let you pitch one I'm not sure.  Other than that you could go to Sullivan County Park and Lake in Sullivan and pitch one.  Its probably only 15 min from TC.

[Blade-Runner]

Wasn't Turtle Creek on some national F&S/Outdoor Life list of the 25 best bass lakes a few years back?

Of course shad bloom can have drastic effects - competition with YOY bass, adult LM tuned in to nothing but live shad forage, etc...?

[TommyBass]

Its worthless now for the most part.

There is no lack of forage I'll tell you that.  Millions of shad are around in that lake.  The biggest issue in my eyes was the loss of vegetation / habitat as well as the over abundance of catfish / carp.  There are so many 40lb + cats in that lake its ridiculous.  So many and so big they eat all of the bass I believe.  Heck a 60lb flathead will swallow a 5lb bass easily, and there are many caught out of there this size.

[Dave P]

When they killed out the weeds (allegedly), they ruined the fishing (and put a pretty good dent in the duck hunting). It's crap compared to what it used to be.

[Rand]

Well going to give Turtle Creek a shot despite all the bad pub. Where is the ramp located. I thought I heard that it was on the west side. There are two roads that run into the west side: Getting Rd and Market St or 700 W.

Also do I need a lake permit for my boat like on other state run waterways?

Rand

[Dave P]

South side ramp. No permits, just a fee paid at the check in. If it's windy, DON'T LAUNCH!

[Rand]

Total bust Saturday at T Creek. Water up north was warm but very dirty. Prob less than a foot visibility. Water in south was clearer but cooler obviously. Kid at the office in afternoon said only one turbine running? All in all total wash. 7 hours no bites. Makes me want to hang it up.

BR

[Blade-Runner]

I'd think Turtle Creek would have the makings for a good wiper fishery but haven't heard much.

Sad that poor management sometime, somewhere has dribbled away another sizable impoundment. Particularly since us Hoosiers don't have much to choose from.

[Dave P]

I don't know how well they (wipers) tolerate warmer water, but in the summer it's hotter than bathwater. Plus it's full of oscars and other crap people dump out of their fish tanks...