Salamonie River State Forest

Salamonie Reservoir is proactively working with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and other partners to improve the water quality of the lake.  Learn more about this effort and how to support it, visit the Salamonie Watershed Initiative.

Salamonie Lake is centrally located between the cities of Wabash, Huntington and Marion. Enjoy scenic trails, wildlife and bird watching, hunting, and camping at this 2,665-acre lake property, constructed for flood control by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The 12,554 land acres, which are managed by the DNR Division of State Parks, provide 40 ponds, marshes, and wetlands, contributing to diverse wildlife and recreational opportunities. DNR manages several properties on the lake, including the Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area (SRA), Lost Bridge East SRA, Dora-New Holland SRA, Mount Etna SRA, Mount Hope SRA.

Activities

Amphitheatre
Basketball Courts
Biking Trails
Boating / Launch Ramps/ Marina
Bridle Trails
Canoeing/kayaking
Cross-country Skiing - no rental
Fishing Pier (open when water level permits)
Hiking Trails
Horseshoe Pits
Hunting / mandatory check stations
Division Interpretive Naturalist Services
Property Interpretive Naturalist Services
Mountain Biking (Bloodroot Trail)
Interpretive and Nature Center
Picnicking / Shelterhouse
Playgrounds
Snowmobile Trails
Swimming / Beach (Policy)
Volleyball Courts
Waterskiing


Camping
Lost Bridge West SRA - Modern Electric Campground / 245 sites
Lost Bridge West SRA - Horsemen's Campground / 50 primitive sites and Apple Orchard campground / 38 sites
Lost Bridge West SRA - 7 Youth Tent Areas
Lost Bridge West SRA - 2 Dump Stations and 4 Comfort Stations
Salamonie River State Forest - Horsemen's Campground / 15 primitive sites and Family Primitive Campground / 21sites

Fishing / Ice Fishing
Lake levels tend to fluctuate widely during February, March, and April and water is frequently turbid. Water clarity is the best from July to October.

Boaters need to be aware of small amounts of driftwood floating freely in the lake from Late April through early June. Dora ramp is the deepest ramp and the only ramp that can provide boat access through December when the reservoir is at winter pool. Shallow water markers are taken out of the water during late fall so be aware of shallow areas.

Though ice fishing can be hazardous at times due to fluctuating water levels and sloped ice, it usually provides excellent opportunity for white crappie.