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Hamilton Lake, Indiana, USA

Located in Northeast Indiana’s beautiful Steuben County, Hamilton Lake is the fourth largest lake in the state. In 1832, several small lakes were dammed to create the current lake. Most sources consider Hamilton Lake to be a natural lake, even though it does have two dams. The lake’s primary purpose is for recreational use. In the last decade, Crystal Cove, a man-made addition, was created and connected…
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    • All About Hamilton Lake, IN

    Lake Locations: USA - US Midwest Region - Indiana - North Indiana -

    Located in Northeast Indiana’s beautiful Steuben County, Hamilton Lake is the fourth largest lake in the state. In 1832, several small lakes were dammed to create the current lake. Most sources consider Hamilton Lake to be a natural lake, even though it does have two dams. The lake’s primary purpose is for recreational use. In the last decade, Crystal Cove, a man-made addition, was created and connected to the lake proper. The current lake is about 802 acres, and has plenty of room for jet skis, boats, and more. The water level is controlled by the Indiana Department of Resources by using a north and south dam.

    Anglers will find the bass tournaments delightful, and will be pleased to find out that they occur every weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Many species of fish can be found here, including small and largemouth bass, perch, crappie, bluegill and northern pike.

    All manner of water sports are acceptable on Hamilton Lake, and two free public launches make it very accessible. There are two fueling stations available for boats and jet skis, and several restaurants offer docks for patrons. Restaurants abound, and dining choices are diverse. There is also a public beach near the south dam.

    Over the last twenty years, residents have been complaining about the increasing murkiness of the water and constant debris following rain storms. The IDNR has found that the stream entering the lake, Black Creek, is depositing large amounts of sediment every time a heavy rain causes the creek to rise. Additionally, Fish Creek, the outlet stream for Hamilton Lake, allows some small amounts of sediment to leak into the lake as well. Steps are being taken by the IDNR to curb sediment deposit and erosion of the surrounding land.

    Every spring, the Hamilton Lake Association and the IDNR have a battle with the local flora. Weeds, specifically Curly Leaf Pond Weed & Eurasian Mil Foil, abound in the lake, and each May a chemical called SONAR is applied to the lake to kill them. At this time, the Association asks that swimmers not enter the lake, and boaters avoid areas that contain weeds, lest they cause the weeds to drop seeds, thus increasing the problem.

    The land surrounding the lake is about 85% developed as of July 2008. Developments include homes, cottages, and local businesses. The only undeveloped portion remaining of the land surrounding the lake is a 106 acre farm consisting of wetlands, rolling hills, forest and a lake front cottage. This land is currently up for sale.

    Visiting Hamilton Lake is almost like taking a trip back to a simpler time. The majority of the cottages lining the shore have been there for over fifty years, and the same families still own them. Newer, more elaborate year-round homes are becoming more and more plentiful, and are peppered amongst the vintage seasonal cottages. A leisurely ride around the lake by boat offers plenty of opportunity for people and bird watching. Blue herons and crane abound, and can often be found fishing along the shore. Summer weekends are quite busy, and the constant hum of watercraft can be heard from sun-up to sun-down. If you enjoy the lake, but prefer it to be quieter, weekdays are an ideal time.

    Hamilton Lake is a gem in Northeast Indiana’s lake country. If you’ve only got time to visit one lake in Indiana, Hamilton is a great choice. You will not be disappointed.

    Things to Do at Hamilton Lake

    These are some activities in the Hamilton Lake, IN area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Fishing Tournaments
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Jet Skiing
    • Birding

    What Kind of Fish Are in Hamilton Lake?

    Hamilton Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Bluegill
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Northern Pike
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Sunfish
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    Find Places to Stay at Hamilton Lake

    If you’re considering a Hamilton Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Hamilton Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Hamilton Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Hamilton Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

    Water Level Control: Indiana Department of Natural Resources/Division of Water

    Surface Area: 802 acres

    Shoreline Length: 15 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 899 feet

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 897 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 900 feet

    Average Depth: 21 feet

    Maximum Depth: 70 feet

    Water Volume: 16,842 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1832

    Drainage Area: 17 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Eutrophic

    Hamilton Lake Map
    Local Weather Forecast

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