Patoka Lake: Come for the Water, Stay for the Trails
I felt like everywhere I looked this summer, I was seeing Patoka Lake’s name somewhere. I saw friends visiting, volunteers building fish habitats, noticed the Hoosier Hills Marina welcomed to the Clean Marina Program, and even the governor stopped by! It all made me really excited to see the park for the first time and learn all about it!
After spending a day there, I understand all the excitement about Patoka Lake. The lake activities are perfect for the heat of summer, while the nature center and trails provide opportunities to hike and explore year-round. I was constantly delighted by what I found and felt like each section of the park held a new opportunity for beauty and adventure!
IN the Podcast Episode
You’ll hear from the park’s property manager, assistant manager, and interpretive naturalist. They share about the marinas, where the best fishing spots are, the campgrounds, historic trails, the turtles, and their red-tailed hawk.
Park Features
Patoka Lake was one of the last reservoirs to open in the state after the 1965 Flood Control Act, but many people would argue the state saved the best for last! With over 26,000 acres, Patoka Lake has the most land out of all the state parks and reservoir properties. They’re the second largest reservoir based on water acreage with a lake over 8,800 acres. The park also has a diverse set of habitats – water, forest, wetlands, fields, rock formations, and there are even caves in the area!
There are four state recreation areas around the park and three marinas. The park offers primitive and modern camping as well as six backpacking sites. Many of the campsites have views of the lake which provide peaceful evenings at the campfire. Off the water, you’ll find a paved multi-use trail that I loved biking on. The traditional hiking trails are stunning, with rock formations that will make you think you’re in Turkey Run. Near the nature center, The Narrows trail is a “must hike” because of its historic significance.
Get “Hooked” on Fishing
According to Brian Finch, the park’s assistant property manager, “Without question, fishing is our biggest attraction here.” With that popularity in mind, the park has consistently prioritized the fishing experience. One of the ways they’ve done this is by building porcupine cribs. These pyramid-shaped structures are made of non-treated lumber boards and are sunk to the bottom of Patoka Lake to create fish habitats.
Brian explained, “What’s really nice about these are if you can get them into a spot that’s say 10 to 15 feet deep, these are really good for nursery habitat, you know, for small fish.” Smaller fish can hide in the porcupine cribs and avoid predators, which allows the fish to grow larger. Ultimately, this leads to larger fish for people to catch.
There are so many fishing spots and types of fish in Patoka Lake, you can certainly catch your favorites. Brian shared a few of the best places with me. He suggested fishing in South Lick Creek under the powerlines or boating down Allen Creek to the old quarry to fish for smallmouth bass. He recommended Lick Fork for catfishing and said the center front area of the beach is ideal for hybrid stripers and walleye. He also mentioned crappies are popular in the spring and can be found throughout Patoka Lake.
Hiking the Trails
For people who would rather explore the land side of Patoka Lake, there are also amazing options. However, be warned; this park is hilly! All of the staff members I interviewed recommended their paved multi-use path. I spent the afternoon biking on it and had to walk my bike up a couple of hills! I saw a few people on e-bikes, which seemed like the wisest choice if you want to save your legs. The paved trail parallels the main road while often dipping into the woods for shaded, peaceful views. I really loved it!
The traditional hiking trails are also wonderful and very conveniently located. The five main trails are all accessed from the nature center at Newton-Stewart State Recreation Area. They range from a quarter mile to 5 or 6 miles. I was excited to discover all the trails have exposed bedrock along them in different places, making the park feel more like Turkey Run or Shades. The trails aren’t as hilly, and the ravines aren’t deep, but you’ll still have that epic experience and notice the temperatures drop when you walk between the rocks.
The hike to Totem Rock on Trail 2 starts with impressive rock formations before wandering through open woods. Interpretive naturalist Kersten Berry warned me the hike to Totem Rock can feel long. She said, “But once you get there, it’s like, oh, this was worth the trek. And then you can see parts of the lake too. It’s not like a vast view of it, but you can see little coves and such.” It was one of my favorites and wasn’t overly challenging, although there were some more technical sections.
The Narrows Historic Trail
My favorite trail was the shortest: The Narrows. It’s also accessed from the nature center and visible from the road as well. What makes the quarter-mile trail significant is its history. The Narrows was a wagon trail dating back to the 1800s. Brian Finch said it was probably even used by bison during their migrations!
The Narrows is a thin path gently sloping up a hill through the woods. The ground is relatively smooth aside from large rocks beneath your feet; the path is about as wide as my arm span. The rock faces on either side are 5 to 7 feet tall and are flat and smooth like walls. They’re covered with green mosses, but a keen eye will also notice carved initials dated 1902, 1896, and 1864! It was a small but enchanting trail.
The Narrows was surprisingly transportive. Seeing multiple initials and dates from the 1800s carved into the stone was powerful. Clearly, every generation wants to be remembered and memorialized. It made me feel a real connection with Hoosiers from the past. The water is always peaceful and timeless, but this trail brought history very close. It’s clear Patoka Lake has been loved for hundreds of years.
Planning Your Visit
Patoka Lake is one of the best reservoirs for year-round recreation. The summer fun is easy to find when you’re boating or fishing on the water. The campgrounds have to be amazing in the summer and fall. If you’re a hunter, be sure to visit during your preferred season. In the cooler months, the trails await you for hiking and would be ideal spots for leaf peeping. Patoka Lake is a great reminder that there are always new discoveries and delights to be found. Go make some of your own memories, and I hope to see you in the parks!