BY MARTHA HALL
As a "non-native Hoosier," I am always surprised at
the non-appreciative attitude many native Hoosier have when it comes to their
home state. When I first moved to Indiana 13 years ago, I loved the rolling
hills and the open corn fields. I’m also a bit surprised at how little some
Hoosiers travel around their state, too. But maybe that’s like New Yorkers who
have never been to the Statue of Liberty.
In the years I’ve lived here, I’ve discovered the state has an ample supply of lakes and reservoirs, many of which I have explored and enjoyed, and I would encourage you to take advantage of them. Here’s information on some of them:
The lake featured on the cover and in photos on this page is Patoka Lake. Located south of French Lick in Birdseye, this lake is a well-kept secret in Indiana.
Patoka Lake (pictured at right and on cover) is maintained by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Included in this area are several state recreation areas, including Newton-Stewart, Jackson, Lick Fork, Little Patoka, Painter Creek, Walls Lake and South Lick Fork. The area includes 25,800 acres, and Patoka Lake itself is 8,800 acres.
This beautiful and large lake is a mecca for fishermen, but there are many other attractions at the lake, including boating and water recreation opportunities, archery, camping, hiking, biking, interpretive programs and Frisbee golf. There are also places for picnics and beaches for swimming.
The Patoka Lake Marina offers a wide assortment of water recreation, such as rentals of houseboats, party barges, pontoon boats and fishing boats. But unlike other marinas, it has a unique vacation option: floating cabins.
Because the DNR will not allow any homes or lodging facilities to be built on the shore of Lake Patoka, floating cabins are a good alternative for people who want to stay on the water. The floating cabins have private staterooms, full bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens and two or three bedrooms.
For more information about Patoka Lake, call the marina at 888-819-6916 or check out the website, www.patokalakemarina.
net. To call Patoka Lake itself, call (812) 685-2464.
Brookville Lake, located in Brookville, is a 5,260-acre lake with two state recreation areas: Mounds and Quakertown. Facilities include an archery range, boating, camping, fishing, hiking, horseshoes, hunting, picnicking, water skiing, swimming and interpretive programs. At Kent’s Harbor Marina, there are shelter houses, a playground, a volleyball court and a shooting range. For more information, call (765) 647-2657 or (765) 647-2658
Cagles Mill Lake and Lieber State Recreation Area are located in Cloverdale and encompass 8,075 acres. The lake is 1,400 acres. Facilities include an activity center, basketball court, boating, swimming, water skiing, camping, fishing, hiking, horseshoes, hunting, and boat rentals. For more information, call (765) 795-4576
Cecil M. Harden Lake and Raccoon State Recreation Area are 4,065 acres with the lake being 2,060 acres. Facilities include an archery range, basketball courts, boating, water skiing, fishing, a fishing pier, hiking, camping, horse shoes, swimming beach, volleyball courts and boat rentals. They also have interpretive programs and youth tent areas. For more information, call (765) 344-1412 or 344-1884.
Chain O’ Lakes State Park, located at Albion, is billed as "lake country" and "a small boater’s paradise." In the eight connecting lakes visitors can paddle through the chain, hike the trails, or attend a nature program in the park’s old schoolhouse nature center. There are cabins and canoes to rent, camping, fishing, hiking, swimming and picnicking areas. There is also a nature center, as well as interpretive services and youth tent areas. For more information, call (260) 636-2654.
Hardy Lake, located in Scottsburg, is a 741-acre body of water for boating, skiing and fishing, with 2, 178 acres of land around it. Facilities include an archery range, basketball court, open playfield, volleyball courts, horseshoe bits and camping areas. There are also hiking trails, a fishing pier, a swimming beach and playgrounds.
Huntington Lake, also known as J. Edward Roush Lake, is located in Huntington and also includes the state recreation areas of Little Turtle and Kil-So-Quah. The lake itself is 870 acres, and the area around it is 8,217 acres.
Facilities include an archery range, basketball courts, mountain bike trails, interpretive center, playground, beach, fishing piers, radio control flying field and shooting range. There is hiking, fishing, camping and swimming available. For more information, call (260) 468-2165.
Mississinewa Lake, located in Peru, includes the state recreational areas of Miami, Red Bridge, Frances Slocum and Pearson Mill. The lake is 3,210 acres and the surrounding area is 14,386.
In additional to camping, fishing, water skiing, and boating, there are also facilities for basketball, horseshoes, volleyball, hiking, Frisbee golf, hunting, radio control flying and picnicking. For more information, call (765) 473-6528 or (765) 395-7038.
Monroe Lake, located near Bloomington, is a 23,952-acre area that includes state recreational areas Paynetown, Fairfax, Allen’s Creek, Cutright, Moore and Salt Creek. The lake is 10,750 acres. Facilities are there for camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, swimming and water skiing. For more information, call (812) 837-9546
Salamonie Lake, located near Andrews, includes the state recreation areas of Lost Bridge West, Lost Bridge East, Dora-New Holland, Mount Etna and Mount Hope. The area’s 11,594 acres includes the 2,855-acre lake. For more information, call (260) 468-2124 or 468-2125.
Facilities include bridle trails, an amphitheatre, basketball courts, camping, fishing pier, hiking trails, horseshoes and hunting. There is also a nature center, as well as playgrounds, volleyball courts, beach areas, and youth tent areas.
The Salamonie River State Forest was created as a demonstration riverside forest for the reclamation of eroded land and to provide access to public land and water for hunters and fishermen. It is now operated by Salamonie Lake. Facilities include bridle trails, hiking trails, camping, boat launch, fishing, hunting and playgrounds.
Summit Lake State Park, located outside New Castle, provides good fishing and an expansive view to visitors.
The park has 2,680 acres and a large lake with boat ramps, bathhouse, shelters for picnics and a wildlife observation area. The area also has camping and hiking facilities. For more information, call (765) 766-5873.
Indiana is blessed to have beautiful, natural beaches on the shores of Lake Michigan. It’s a wonderful place to take the family for a full day of beach and water fun.
In the past few years, however, Lake Michigan has been threatened with pollution in its waters. On November 15, 1999, The Lake Michigan Federation (LMF) and National Wildlife Federation (NWF) filed suit in federal court to force the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue water quality standards for the Great Lakes to protect the health of people, fish, and wildlife. In April 2000, LMF and NWF reached a settlement with the EPA. The agreement required the EPA to issue final guidance for the states to use in implementing their newly created GLI water quality standards.
Though the lake and beach are beautiful, recent research has found that some of the pollutants addressed by the standards cause lower IQs, smaller head circumferences, and other defects in children born of women who have eaten certain Great Lakes fish.
Various agencies around the Great Lakes are making decisions every day that influence the health of everyone who lives or visits in that region. For more information, use the following:
Federal U.S. EPA website:
www.epa.gov; Indiana Department of Environmental Management http://dnr.state.il.us. Department of Natural Resources - http://www.in.gov/dnr . Concerned citizens may call Tom Anderson, Save the Dunes Council, at (219) 879-3937.