LaGrange County is home to Shipshewana, Indiana, and all of its beauty. Popular for visitors compliments of the heavily Amish influence, it’s filled with delicious food, beautiful lodging options, and live shows and shopping. But where can you go in and around Shipshewana if you want to spend some time in the water? Happily, there are plenty of fun options to choose from. Here’s a look at where to go the next time you visit the city.
A County of Lakes
When I wrote that there are plenty of waterways to choose from, I wasn’t kidding: LaGrange County has 70 lakes (14 are public usage lakes), ideal for swimming, boating, and fishing. Ranging from 52 acres to a whopping 500 acres, you’ve got your choice of fun. If you like fun facts, LaGrange County has ⅕ of all of the lakes in the entire state!
Fawn River
Fawn River is not for the faint of heart; it’s actually called the “most adventurous” river in the state of Indiana. Flanked with marshy areas on its banks, its 44-mile-long corridor has twists and turns, making for a fun trip via kayak, canoe, or even float tube, depending on your preference. Having written that, it is a beautiful river filled with animal and birding opportunities as well as fishing. Fun fact: the water is so clean and clear that there are freshwater mussels thriving in the river!
Pigeon River
Also known as Pigeon Creek, this river was named compliments of Chief White Pigeon of the Potawatomi Tribe who used the waterway to fish and hunt. Paralleling the Fawn River for more than 50% of its length, in the warmer months, you’ll find beautiful trees and foliage along its riverbanks. Along with fishing and hunting, this river provides opportunities for birding, hiking, and even camping. If you’d like to get on the water, canoe rentals are available.
Worthy of note: For most of the Indiana waterways, you’ll need a fishing license to fish, whether it’s catch and release or catch and keep. The Indiana Department of Fish & Wildlife offers daily, weekly, and yearly fishing licenses via its official website. Prices range from $15 for a one-day license to $60 for the entire year for non-residents, and you may use no more than three fishing poles at one time.
Just Beachy
Happily, the county has three beautiful public beaches as well that can be used by the public year-round:
Dallas Lake – Located in Wolcottsville, Indiana, Dallas Lake Public Beach offers an accessible pier and sandy beach area. A one-dollar daily beach fee is requested and can be paid via the honor system in the office or at the beach entry post. The fee goes right back to beach upkeep, so it’s a worthy cause.
Additionally, there is a marked-off swimming area via buoys, so please play it safe and stay within the boundaries.
Wall Lake – In Orland, Indiana, Wall Lake is another sandy beach area that offers picnic tables and a grassy area for games and playing. The beach is a pretty respite from hot summer days and is absolutely gorgeous in the autumn months.
Cedar Lake – In Howe, Indiana, Cedar Lake Beach goes straight from a grassy area into the water. Like Wall Lake Beach, there are picnic tables for use and some trees for shade.
Worth noting: there is no on-duty lifeguard at these three LaGrange County beaches, so please make sure you follow all rules and keep a constant eye on the kiddos.
