LivewellIndiana · Steuben County · Lake
Lake James
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Lake James, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
6 species with advisories
What's safe to eat from Lake James
Black Bullhead
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per week. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Largemouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per month. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Longear Sunfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Northern Pike
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to 6 meals per year. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Rock Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 8" | General population | Safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
| Over 8" | General population | Limit to one meal per week. |
| All sizes | Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per week. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Smallmouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per month. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Is it legal to keep?
These are Indiana's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 14" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | 14" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | 14" min | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Muskellunge | 36" min | 1 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Northern Pike | — | 3 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 25 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Indiana — Indiana DNR
Getting on the water
- Marina marina 0.4 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.9 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 1.0 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 1.1 mi Directions
- Big Otter Lake Public Access boat ramp 1.9 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.4 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.