What special fishing regulations apply at Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes?

Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Indiana's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass. One of them reads: "Chain of managed lakes across Kosciusko / Noble / Elkhart Counties at the Tri-County FWA — trophy black bass 18 in min, 2 / day (vs 14 in / 5 statewide); bluegill + redear + crappie + channel catfish." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes?

Yes. Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes is in Indiana, so a valid Indiana fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) — Division of Fish & Wildlife. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Indiana rules.

Do Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes' special rules replace Indiana's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Indiana's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes?

Largemouth bass has a water-body-specific rule on Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes, each linking to its full Indiana regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Indiana limits.

2026 regulation year

Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes 2026 — Indiana Fishing Regulations

Indiana statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 9, 2026

Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Indiana's 2026 fishing rules — covering Largemouth bass. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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Watch Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes (IN) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

Chain of managed lakes across Kosciusko / Noble / Elkhart Counties at the Tri-County FWA — trophy black bass 18 in min, 2 / day (vs 14 in / 5 statewide); bluegill + redear + crappie + channel catfish
Source: Indiana special-water list

Per-species rules on Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes

Largemouth bass regulations →
18 in min, 2 / day; trophy bass managed-lake chain

Official source

Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) — Division of Fish & Wildlife publishes the authoritative 2026 Indiana fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Indiana fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Indiana Department of Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any Indiana trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Indiana

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes?: Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Indiana's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass. One of them reads: "Chain of managed lakes across Kosciusko / Noble / Elkhart Counties at the Tri-County FWA — trophy black bass 18 in min, 2 / day (vs 14 in / 5 statewide); bluegill + redear + crappie + channel catfish." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes?: Yes. Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes is in Indiana, so a valid Indiana fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) — Division of Fish & Wildlife. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Indiana rules.
Do Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes' special rules replace Indiana's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Indiana's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes?: Largemouth bass has a water-body-specific rule on Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area Lakes, each linking to its full Indiana regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Indiana limits.

← Back to Indiana regulations overview