Brookville Tailwaters
This is a “cool” water tailwater below Brookville Lake. The dam is a hypolimnetic dam which means is has the capability of releasing water from multiple depths to achieve proper amounts of DO (dissolved oxygen) and can release at a certain temperature. The lake is set up to never release water above 71 degrees, thus being considered a “cool” water fishery.
Directions from Downtown Dayton (about 78 miles)
Take I-75 S toward Cincinnati.
Merge onto I-275 W via exit number 16 toward I-74/INDIANAPOLIS.
Take I-74 W/US-52 W toward INDIANAPOLIS.
Take the US-52 W exit- exit number 169- toward BROOKVILLE.
Turn LEFT onto US-52.
Species Found: Lake species include walleyes, LM Bass, Perch, Crappies and Catfish, but the real attraction here is the stretch of water that runs approximately 2 miles from the dam to the Whitewater River that is a trout fishery. Rainbows are stocked here in the Spring and Fall as part of the Indiana Trout Stocking Program. Recently the Central Indiana Trout Unlimited, Chapter 699, with permission from the Indiana State Wildlife Agency, (IDNR) has been stocking small Brown trout to see if they will holdover from year to year. So far the results are promising and there are some holdover fish from past stockings. It is recommended that ALL Brown Trout be released to help show the state they can survive and will grow all year long!
Flies: Because this is a multi-species tailwater that is attached to the Whitewater River, meaty flies with some bulk will bring many species and larger fish. Flies that imitate crayfish and minnows quickly come to mind. For trout, the standard nymphs will produce, Princes, Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, Hares Ears, etc. I have not experienced any good hatches so as I learn more about this tailwater I’ll update this info. Woolly buggers work well here as well.
Access: Access can be found at several areas along this 2 mile stretch of water, (See Map for access/parking areas).
Map of Tailwater: Brookville Map
Indiana Specific Regulations: Info on complete regulations can be found at: http://in.gov/dnr/fishwild
Indiana License Info: To fish in a stream stocked with trout, you MUST have either a “one day all species license” or have a resident or non-resident license with a TROUT STAMP!
http://in.gov/ai/appfiles/dnr-license/index.html
Dam Release Info:
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/in/nwis/uv?03276000
This link will take you to a link on the internet where you can see how high the flows are. 4 ft is the absolute maximum for wading and even 3.5 is tricky wading with recommended flows below 3.25 for good wading.
As with all tailwaters, be warned that water can rise at ANY time so always be aware of a route out of the stream if you need to make a quick retreat.
If you go over and fish, PLEASE fill a creel survey afterwards.
Your help is most appreciated!