Fishing Season: Spring thru Fall

Sugar Creek - IN

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

39

Orvis Carmel's Tip of the Week

Fishing baitfish pattern streamers this time of year is effective along with poppers and terrestrials. With the water in the 70's, the fish are searching for shaded areas in the mid-morning to late afternoon. Once the sun dips down and shade hits the stream, these fish will begin searching for food! Think crayfish, minnow patterns, frogs and poppers!

Directions open in app

Map of Sugar Creek

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 12/19/24

Weather is bouncing around the 90 degree mark, fish very early or later in the afternoon/evening.

Techniques & Tips as of 12/19/24

Streamers will work well for get down in the deeper pools. Stick with dark leach patterns if possible like a black woolly bugger or zonker. I also like Sneaky Pete divers, Boogle Bugs, hopper patterns and Cicada's!

Local Species Available Spring thru Fall

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    Small Mouth Bass

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    Carp

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    rock bass

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    bluegill

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    suckers

Orvis Carmel's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Weedless Sneaky Pete Popper Chart or Black 6-10
Woolly Bugger olive, black 6-10
Bass Popper Red 8
Hair Bass Bug Fruit Cocktail 4-6
Near Nuff Crayfish Olive 8
Lefty's Deceiver White/Chart 2-4
Conehead Bunny Muddler char, black 2-4
Clouser Minnow Chart/White 6-1/0
Todds Wiggle Minnow N/A

Weedless Sneaky Pete Popper

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Orvis Carmel's Recommended Gear

Description: About Sugar Creek

Sugar Creek is the epitome of a small mouth bass fishery. It has all the structure that smallies like to orient into and pleanty of food for them to eat. You can either walk and wade or float this river, although at higher flows drift boats are recomended. This river constantly produces smallies over 20", so if you want to feel the tug of a fish that just does not give up, Sugar is the best place for you to start your warm water river journey.

Nearest Airport:

Indianapolis International

Hatches:

Crawfish, Baitfish, Helgramites, Frogs, Leeches, Poppers

Best Time to Fish:

Mid Morning-Late Afternoon

Best Stretch:

covered bridge in darlington and down stream.

Best Access:

Darlington/Thorntown