How to use our fishing calendar
Planning your next fishing trip in South Bend, United States ? Today is a average day for fishing. Our comprehensive fishing almanac combines our popular solunar tables, moon times, sunrise and sunset times, and a 7-day fishing calendar so you always know the best fishing times in your area. We analyse major and minor solunar bite times, rate each day on a five-star scale, and pair it with localized weather forecasts so you can quickly tell whether today is a good day to fish without juggling multiple tabs. Be sure to bookmark this page so you never miss a bite. view bite times...
- Check our unique Solunar Clock for precise solunar tables and the best moon phases.
- Use the forecast calendar section to sync bite times with major weather changes.
- Analyze the forecasted weather conditions, such as wind, barometric pressure and rain to plan your fishing session.
- Jump to the 7-Day Fishing Calendar for an extended fishing forecast, then explore nearby fishing spots on the interactive map.
Fishing in South Bend, Indiana centers on the St. Joseph River and a network of natural lakes and ponds that offer year-round action. Anglers target steelhead, salmon, smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, and panfish right in and around the city, with productive bank access and boat launches spread from downtown South Bend to nearby Mishawaka and rural waters. read more...
Sun and Moon Times
-
Nautical Twilight begins:Sunrise:
-
Sunset:Nautical Twilight ends:
-
Moonrise:
-
Moonset:
-
Moon over:
-
Moon under:
-
Visibility:84%
-
Waning Gibbous
-
Distance to earth:399,671 kmProximity:14.1 %
Moon Phases for South Bend
-
average Day
-
major Time:03:58 am - 05:58 am
-
minor Time:08:35 am - 10:35 am
-
major Time:04:13 pm - 06:13 pm
-
minor Time:11:21 pm - 01:21 am
Current Fishing Weather
Wind Speed and Direction
Wind Direction:
Wind Speed:
Wind Direction and Speed are one of the most important aspects for choosing a fishing spot. An offshore wind can help land-based anglers with longer casting distances, while an onshore wind will make kayak fishing safer. Often fish will also move to certain feeding areas depending on the wind direction. Check out the long term wind forecast at the charts below.
Fishing Barometer
Atmospheric Pressure:
Change since midnight:
Trend for next 6 hours:
Atmospheric or Barometric Pressure affects fish activity. The best fishing can be had on a rising barometer and also the time just before it is falling. A steady barometer in the higher ranges can also mean good fishing. A falling or low barometer reading without much change is usually not a very good time for fishing.
UV Effect on Fishing
As a rule of thumb, the higher the UV index, the deeper fish will move. Shallow water fishing is best done at times with a low UV index. When the UV is high, stick to early mornings, late evenings and shaded areas. The effect is less noticable in deeper water, but often a higher UV index can produce good results in the deep.
7 Day Fishing Weather
| Date | Major Bite Times | Minor Bite Times | Sun | Moon | Moonphase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Waning Gibbous |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Waning Gibbous |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Waning Gibbous |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
 Third Quarter Moon |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Third Quarter Moon |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Third Quarter Moon |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Third Quarter Moon |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
 Waning Crescent |
Fishing Overview South Bend
South Bend fishing is dominated by the St. Joseph River, a Great Lakes tributary that runs right through downtown, plus a ring of natural and man-made lakes within a short drive. Anglers can chase migratory steelhead and salmon in fast current, then switch to largemouth bass, pike, and panfish in nearby lakes like Potato Creek’s Worster Lake, the chain of small ponds in local parks, and regional natural lakes to the north and east.
Seasonal patterns are critical on the St. Joe. Late winter through early spring brings steelhead staging below dams and in deeper holes; bright marabou jigs, spawn bags, and beads drifted under floats are proven producers. As water temps rise in late spring, smallmouth bass and walleye become the main river targets, relating to current breaks, boulders, and bridge pilings. Summer sees strong night bites for walleye and channel catfish around Mishawaka and South Bend, with crankbaits and live bait worked along seams and drop-offs. In fall, fresh runs of Chinook and coho salmon, along with fall steelhead, push into the river, and casting spinners, spoons, and suspending jerkbaits near the dams can be outstanding.
Habitat types vary from urban riverfront to quiet, weedy lakes. In town, look for deep pools below dams, outside bends, and riprapped banks on the St. Joseph River. Current seams where fast and slow water meet are prime for steelhead, salmon, and walleye. On nearby lakes, focus on weededges, submerged timber, and the first major breakline in 8–15 feet for bass and panfish. In spring, shallow coves and wind-protected bays warm first and draw crappie and bluegill; by mid-summer, fish slide to deeper outside weeds and mid-lake humps.
Effective techniques depend on the target species. For river steelhead and salmon, float fishing with 8–10 lb leaders, small split shot, and a compact float is a staple; adjust depth frequently so your presentation ticks just above bottom. Casting in-line spinners and spoons across current and swinging them through tailouts covers water quickly when fish are moving. Smallmouth respond well to 3–4 inch tube jigs, Ned rigs, and compact crankbaits bounced along rocky structure. Walleye anglers do well drag-jigging live bait or plastics on 1/4–3/8 oz jigs, and trolling small crankbaits after dark along channel edges.
On lakes around South Bend, finesse plastics on drop-shot rigs, wacky-rigged stick worms, and topwater walkers early and late are consistent for largemouth bass. Bluegill and crappie bite well on small ice-style jigs tipped with waxworms or soft plastics under fixed or slip floats; use electronics or a simple depth-finder weight to locate the top of the weedline and suspend baits just above it. Pike and muskie relate to the thickest weed beds—cover water by trolling medium-sized crankbaits or casting spinnerbaits and large swimbaits along weed walls.
Tactical tips for South Bend include packing both river and lake gear in the same trip, watching water clarity after rain—slightly stained water often fishes better on the St. Joe—and moving often until you intersect active fish. Focus on mornings, evenings, and overcast days for pressured areas downtown, and use subtle, natural-colored presentations when the water is clear. With careful attention to seasonal timing and structure, the South Bend area offers consistent multi-species fishing just minutes from city streets.
Interactive Fishing Map for the greater South Bend area
Beaches and Bays are ideal places for land-based fishing. If the beach is shallow and the water is clear then twilight times are usually the best times, especially when they coincide with a major or minor fishing time. Often the points on either side of a beach are the best spots. Or if the beach is large then look for irregularities in the breaking waves, indicating sandbanks and holes. We found 1 beaches and bays in this area.
Baugo Bay - 14.64985434226km
We found a total of 40 potential fishing spots nearby South Bend. Below you can find them organized on a map. Points, Headlands, Reefs, Islands, Channels, etc can all be productive fishing spots. As these are user submitted spots, there might be some errors in the exact location. You also need to cross check local fishing regulations. Some of the spots might be in or around marine reserves or other locations that cannot be fished. If you click on a location marker it will bring up some details and a quick link to google search, satellite maps and fishing times. Tip: Click/Tap on a new area to load more fishing spots.
Saint Marys Lake - 2.19236067702km , Bowman Creek - 2.34148468376km , Saint Josephs Lake - 2.65966675035km , Pinhook Lake - 3.9319147188km , Judy Creek - 5.04469722787km , Willow Creek - 8.21967666973km , Chain O' Lakes - 9.58503340891km , South Chain Lake - 9.9758246366km , Chamberlain Lake - 10.12392492873km , North Chain Lake - 10.20574249791km , Wharton Lake - 10.3579568243km , Catfish Lake - 10.65324533057km , South Clear Lake - 13.41643210379km , Brandywine Creek - 14.05440008827km , Deer Lake - 14.49769277796km , Baugo Bay - 14.64985434226km , Sommers Lake - 14.84254209671km , Goose Lake - 14.89697620542km , Baugo Creek - 15.02279446738km , Moon Lake - 16.36905758304km , Cobus Creek - 17.18681143888km , Dibble Lake - 17.21773687765km , Kale Lake - 17.34369395195km , Potato Creek Reservoir Dam - 17.94778454283km , Dowagiac River - 18.03628619496km , Pike Lake - 18.06309088403km , Barron Lake - 18.6134555856km , Sousley Lake - 18.63862309628km , McCoy Creek - 18.71090516475km , Fites Lake - 18.73645877867km , Dipper Lake - 19.21317316035km , Buchanan Dam - 19.24796614551km , Mudd Lake - 19.31382835379km , Garver Lake - 19.69687959713km , Dayton Lake - 19.7471446318km , Riddles Lake - 19.83018731609km , Spud Run - 19.98251672242km , Mudd Lake Extension Drain - 20.40575110569km , Burrus Lake - 20.44793471987km , Spring Valley Drain - 20.51201111197km
Harbours and
Marinas
Beaches
Bays
Wharfs
Points,Reefs,etc
Latest Catches
uploaded by: Peter Clark
uploaded by: Texyak23!
uploaded by: Robert Fulghamlll
uploaded by: Robert Fulghamlll
uploaded by: Robert Fulghamlll
uploaded by: Charlie Pifer
uploaded by: Charlie Pifer
uploaded by: Charlie Pifer
uploaded by: Frog Man
uploaded by: Charlie Pifer
Comments