Brian. I have fished Fork a lot of times, but for Bass. Most of the crappie fisher I see are anchored at the bridges. One that I see a lot of people at is the bridge going up into Birch Creek.
Power Pro. Use it spinning and bait casters. Great cast ability
Hey Walt. I am from Terre Haute as well. Lived and fished around here all my life. If you're going to head out anywhere fishing give me a shout, might be able to help get you started in right direction.
Guys. If I could make a suggestion, please. If you're going to release the fish after pictures don't lay them in the dirt.
If they're going to be dinner no problem but laying in the dirt removes their slim coat and reduces their chance of survival.
Thanks
We fish Sugar Creek for smallies. We don't use live bait, but as far as artificial baits we use small crank baits little N, cotton cordell and a really good one Rebel's small crawdad crank baits. Color can be very important with crawdad type baits so match the hatch as close as possible. All other minnow type baits we use chrome. Early small 1/8 oz buzzers can be deadly. On soft baits we have found the Bitsy Tube by Strike King in green pumpkin with 1/8 oz jig head. They will bite this tube when ignoring everything else.
Fished a tournament on Patoka 2 weeks ago. Team tournament. Top two spots had over 20 lbs for 6 fish. Most teams had a really hard time. Keeper had to be 15 inches. We had 4 small ones and I know of some teams that didn't get a bite. Fished from one end of lake to the other. Was tough. Monroe I haven't heard anything about it. Know that the high school kids just fished it. Might try their web site for info.
Bass spawn once as far as I know, The majority will spawn around the same time, but not all. It can be spread over several weeks depending on conditions. On larger bodies of water, you can start in upper shallow end and follow the spawn all the way down to the dam or deeper water. This can take several weeks if not months. The farther south in the country you go the earlier they spawn, and you can follow them all the way up north as weather permits. Blue gill spawn after largemouth bass and to my knowledge they do not use bass beds. The difference between the two beds of bass and blue gill are quite noticeable. Bass bed while in same area will be a little farther from each other while blue gill will be a whole colony of beds real close. There can be a large area that is just full of beds right next to each other. Also, blue gill beds are smaller, and a bass bed will almost always be next to a piece of wood. I have even seen them bed in the top of a stump or on the limbs of a standing tree in the water.
I will be on Patoka this coming weekend and all of the next weekend for a Bass tournament. Have never heard anything about people catching Walleye but have caught some nice crappie fishing for Bass. If I hear anything or see where the crappie guys are fishing will pass it on.
Not to familiar with bank fishing to much but do see a lot of folks around King's Bridge. Another place I see a lot of bank fishing is just passed Painters Ramp going back into Painters Cove. They park at the back of parking lot and go over the hill. Trying to think of any place else. If I do will post.
More info would help a bunch. What are you fishing for? Boat or no boat. Not familiar with the other lakes, but fish Patoka a lot. Might be able to help with a bit more info.
holford24 is right on. Local club is the way to go if you have not been fishing tournaments very long or not familiar with local waters. These clubs can be an unlimited supply of information on area lakes and techniques.
Not to mention the friend ships you will have for a lifetime. I am still friends and fish with guys that where in the club I joined in 1973.
Indiana Bass federation has draw tournaments. You can go as boater or no boater. There is the BFL. USA bass, You can also find and join a local Bass club. I happen to fish the Hoosier Open Team tournament trail. You would need a partner for this one. You can select any skill level that you like. I also fish a local club that is more layed back and fish smaller lakes. All of these have web sites to help you decided which would be a good fit for you.
It has been quite a while since I fished there but suppose the same techniques would work. You didn't say what you were fishing for. So I am going to assume it is Bass. Weeds should be up good by now and a drop shot along the edge of weeds works real good. Early morning poppers and then spinner baits. Once sun gets high in the sky bottom baits work best. Water very clear so natural colors work best. If lake gets too rough, you can head to one of the many canals.
If you plan to fish from a boat be prepared. Large portion of the locals and people who live on lake don't want you there. You will find rude people and rude boaters.
Ronnie
Where bouts you located?