IN · Trout (brook, brown and rainbow)
Indiana trout (brook, brown and rainbow) limits
Inland Indiana allows 5 brook, brown or rainbow trout a day, with only 1 brown trout, and stream fish must be 7 inches. Streams open for harvest at 6 a.m. on the last Saturday in April and run through Dec. 31. Lake Michigan uses a 5-fish trout-and-salmon bag at 14 inches. Fishing for trout takes a license plus the $11 trout/salmon stamp.
Verified 2026-10-27Limits at a glance
Regulation period: April 2026 through March 31, 2027.
Daily limit
5 brook, rainbow and brown trout combined; no more than 1 brown trout
DatesLast Saturday in April (6 a.m. local time) – Dec. 31
ReleaseMay keep
Size ruleMinimum length 7 inchesJan. 1 – Apr. 14 every trout stream is catch-and-release only. From Apr. 15 to opening day, selected stocked streams are closed to all fishing (see Watch for).
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Daily limit
5 brook, rainbow and brown trout combined; no more than 1 brown trout
DatesOpen all year
Size ruleNo minimum length on lakesException: brown trout must be 18 inches at Oliver, Olin and Martin lakes (LaGrange County) and the Brookville Lake tailwater (Franklin County).
Daily limit
Catch-and-release only
DatesOpen all year
Size ruleArtificial lures or flies only
Daily limit
5 trout and salmon combined; no more than 3 lake trout
ReleaseMay keep
Size ruleMinimum length 14 inchesOn the St. Joseph River below Twin Branch Dam the trout and salmon minimum is also 14 inches, with extra hook and no-fishing-zone rules.
Watch for
- To fish for or keep trout or salmon in public water you need a fishing license plus the $11 trout/salmon stamp (same price for residents and nonresidents). The one-day license and the senior licenses already include it.
- Closed Apr. 15 to opening day while DNR stocks them: selected streams including the Pigeon River and Pigeon Creek (LaGrange County, Steuben County line to CR 410 E), Little Kankakee River (LaPorte County), Spy Run Creek in Franke Park (Allen County) and the Mississinewa River within Randolph County WMA. The guide lists the rest.
- Anyone under 18, resident or nonresident, needs neither a license nor the stamp.
- Lake Michigan tributary trout and salmon must be hooked in the mouth; foul-hooked fish go back.
- Indiana DNR publishes its trout stocking lists online (the guide points to on.IN.gov/fish-stocking).
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Indiana · Trout
Quick answers
What is the daily limit for trout (brook, brown and rainbow) in Indiana?
Inland streams, statewide: 5 brook, rainbow and brown trout combined; no more than 1 brown trout. Size rule: Minimum length 7 inches. Other waters and date windows have different rules; see the table. Verify with Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Fish & Wildlife.
Which regulations do these Indiana figures come from?
April 2026 through March 31, 2027, as published by Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Fish & Wildlife. Last verified 2026-10-27.