Blue River (Southern Indiana)
river in Indiana
The Blue River in southern Indiana is celebrated for its exceptional water quality, diverse aquatic life, and designation as a Natural Scenic River. It's a fantastic smallmouth bass fishery, with abundant rock bass and longear sunfish. The lower sections also receive seasonal trout stockings, providing a unique mixed fishery. It's a popular destination for paddling and wading.
River flow last 30 days
Blue River flows are exceptionally high at 13200 cfs
- 01Blue River flows are exceptionally high at 13200 cfs, well above typical fall levels.
- 02Expect limited surface activity, but Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) and October Caddis are seasonally relevant.
- 03Focus on subsurface presentations with heavy streamers and weighted nymphs to combat strong currents.
- 04Target eddies, deep pockets, and inside bends where fish seek refuge from the main flow.
- 05Prioritize safety; only experienced anglers should consider fishing, and a PFD is recommended.
Past reports week by week
9 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
San Juan Worm
A consistent attractor, particularly effective after any rainfall or flow fluctuations that might wash aquatic worms into the system, appealing to a wide array of species in high water.
Buy at AmazonArticulated Streamer (Drunk Sculpin)
Sculpin patterns are excellent for fall and winter bass and trout, imitating larger baitfish that predatory fish key on in cooling, high waters.
Buy at AmazonTungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs
A heavy stonefly nymph imitation, crucial for getting deep in fast, high currents to target trout and bass feeding on dislodged insects.
Buy at AmazonCrayfish (Fly)
Crayfish are a primary food source for smallmouth bass in rocky rivers. This pattern is effective when stripped along the bottom with pauses to mimic a fleeing crayfish, especially in current.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive) (Bass)
A versatile streamer imitating leeches and baitfish, excellent for enticing predatory bass and trout in high, potentially off-color fall flows.
Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph
An excellent general searching nymph, mimicking various aquatic insects active year-round and particularly effective in off-color or deeper water during high flows.
Hellgrammite Fly
Hellgrammites are a consistent food source on rocky smallmouth rivers year-round, and this pattern is reliable for fall bass, especially in high water.
Comparadun (BWO)
Matches expected fall BWO hatches. While surface feeding might be limited by high flows, selective trout could still key on these emergers or adults in calmer pockets.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Fredericksburg Access
Provides public access to the lower Blue River, often benefiting from seasonal trout stockings.
Milltown Access
A well-known public access and canoe launch point, offering good wading for smallmouth bass and trout.
Rothrock Mill
Offers a scenic and productive stretch of the Blue River, known for good smallmouth fishing and occasional trout.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Indiana Fly Fishing Guides
Orvis
Quest Outdoors
Orvis Louisville
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Indiana season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Best Budget Fly Fishing Combo Setups for Beginners
Expert guide to affordable fly fishing combos that won't break the bank but deliver quality performance for new anglers.
Quick answers
Common questions about Blue River (Southern Indiana).
What flies work best on Blue River (Southern Indiana)?
Our top scored fly patterns for Blue River (Southern Indiana) right now are San Juan Worm (80% confidence), Squirmy Wormy (80% confidence), Woolly Bugger (Black/Olive) (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Blue River (Southern Indiana)?
Blue River (Southern Indiana) holds Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Blue River (Southern Indiana)?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Blue River (Southern Indiana) are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Blue River (Southern Indiana) fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Blue River (Southern Indiana) each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.