The Ohio River may well be Indiana’s most underused natural resource. Once the interstate highway that transported both explorers and settlers west, the river today offers the outdoorsman and the boater an unbelievable opportunity to enjoy and explore.

Boating on the Ohio

The Cannelton Pool alone on the Ohio River offers the boater and the fisherman 114 miles of unrestricted water. Including the embayments, this section of river contains over 18,000 acres of water. Fishing the embayments can be enjoyed 12 months a year with periods of excellent fishing for both crappie and bass. Pleasure boating, however, should be limited to periods of low water (referred to as pool stage) generally June through November. It is during these months the river resembles a large lake with minimal current and no drift. During December through May the river can experience periods of high water and flooding which produces a lot of drift and strong currents. The river, which runs adjacent to the area represented by the Explore Magazine, has boat ramps at Leavenworth (2), Alton, Magnet, Derby (3), Rome, Rocky Point, Tell City, Troy, Grandview, Rockport, and at French Island below Owensboro (1). A total of 14 boat ramps on the Indiana Shore. Boaters can also experience docking and restaurant facilities at Leavenworth, Alton, Magnet, Derby, Rocky Point, Rockport and French Island. No idle zones, no restricted bays, only miles and miles of water to explore.

The Ohio River also provides the boater with many sandy beaches to stop and play. Two of the most popular are Flint Island above Derby and Anderson Island below Troy. Scenery along the river is unsurpassed with many miles looking much as it did when Lewis and Clark traveled the river in 1804. Boat gas is available on the water at Leavenworth, Rocky Point, Rockport, Owensboro KY, and French Island.

Experience the Ohio by Car – The Ohio River Scenic Byway.

Today, visitors to southernmost Indiana can trace the Ohio River’s contribution to the United States becoming the mighty nation it is today by exploring the Ohio River Scenic Byway (ORSB). The ORSB is a National Scenic Byway running from the Ohio border just outside of Pittsburgh to Cairo, Illinois. In Indiana, the byway parallels the Ohio River from Lawrenceburg in the east through Mt. Vernon on the west.

Travelers on the byway enjoy magnificent views of the Ohio River valley, from gorgeous rock bluffs to fertile farmlands, and find our nation’s heritage revealed in urban areas, quaint towns, historic sites and architecture. Like the 1800’s riverboats that carried passengers, freight and gamblers, there are several gaming boats docked along the river where visitors can test their luck. Travelers and vistors find the perfect vacation along the Ohio River. There are many fine cabins, bed and breakfasts, inns and hotels, road side and river side restaurants, shops and antique stores that will satisfy the discriminating visitor.

Websites along the Ohio for more information:
www.theoverlook.com
www. leavenworthinn.com
www. OhioRiverCabins.com
www.coluccirivercabins.com
www.perrycountyindiana.org
www.ExploreSouthernIndiana.com
www.fallsoftheohio.org
www.angelmounds.org

Southern Indiana is dotted with numerous beautiful lakes of various sizes for boating, water-skiing, fishing, swimming, and viewing forest scenes. The warm climate of Southern Indiana provides anglers with several more quality fishing days relative to the northern parts of the state. Numerous lakes on the Hoosier National Forest provide anglers with the opportunity to pursue largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, redear sunfish and other sport fish.

The state of Indiana manages and regulates the fish populations within the Hoosier National Forest. Fishing within the forest requires a current state of Indiana fishing permit. Contact the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for additional information regarding fishing rules and regulations on the Hoosier National Forest.

Fishable waters range in size from 1 to 10,000 acres and are scattered throughout the Forest. These may include former farm ponds, wildlife watering holes, or limestone quarry ponds. Some have easy, drive-in access and others are accessed by primitive walk-in trails. Forest maps help you locate these ponds and lakes. Included here are some of the more popular fishing holes:

Tipsaw Lake (131 acres), offers boat access as well as camping, picnicking, swimming, biking, and hiking. An excellent destination for a weekend of family fun.

Celina Lake (164 acres), Indian Lake (152 acres), are two adjacent lakes with a variety of facilities including boat ramps, picnic and camping areas, and trails. A historic building, the 1874 Rickenbaugh House located on the shore of Celina Lake has been rehabilitated for public use.

Springs Valley Lake (140 acres), has a boat ramp for launching small fishing craft, and a dispersed camp area with 6 designated campsites. An 8-mile multiple use trail encircles the lake offering spectacular scenery.

Saddle Lake (41 acres), provides superb fishing either from a boat or along the bank. A 2.2 mile trail encircles the lake and a small campground offers 15 primitive campsites.

Rainbow Pay Lake is a quarry pond which is under special use permit to an individual who runs a pay-to-fish business. Trout, bass, and other fish are stocked in this lake. A Kids Fishing Derby is held at the lake each summer.

Fully accessible fishing piers are available at Celina Lake to provide anglers with disabilities a barrier-free opportunity to fish. Celina, Indiana, and Tipsaw Lakes also offer accessible courtesy docks.

Other recreation opportunities abound in the Hoosier National Forest. For instance, on the southern end of the Forest, approximately 130 miles of trails are available for your hiking, biking, or horse riding pleasure. If you like to camp, the Forest has campgrounds ranging from primitive to fully developed with hot showers and electricity. The Indian-Celina Recreation Area and Tipsaw Recreation Area are located 3 miles and 6 miles south of Interstate 64 off State Highway 37. These loops contain centralized water, flush toilets, hot showers, and a recharge table for electric boat motors. If you prefer more primitive camping, Saddle Lake Campground and German Ridge Horsecamp may be more to your liking. If you are interested in the history of the area, the historic Rickenbaugh House and Cemetery are located within the Indian-Celina Recreation Areas along the shore of Celina Lake. The sandstone block house was built in 1874 and is open to the public during the summer.

Come! Explore and enjoy the beautiful Hoosier National Forest of southern Indiana!

Looking for a place where you can take your kids that is fun and inexpensive, but also educational? A place that you can enjoy, too? If you answered yes, then Spring Mill State Park is your perfect summertime destination.

The early 1800s Restored Pioneer Village has park workers dressed in period clothes. They perform their daily chores as they interact with visitors. A 3-story limestone, water-powered grist mill towers over the village. Step back into time and attend church at the Meeting House . Candlelight services are held Sunday mornings during the summer season.

Picnic Areas and Playgrounds are scattered throughout the park. Our favorite was the one at the village entrance. My kids always loved to wade in the creek (in their old tennis shoes.) I can still remember them sailing their G.I Joes in their little wooden boats.

Most Hiking Trails are fairly easy and can be enjoyed by the entire family. One of our favorites was the trail that leads to Donaldson Cave. Young spelunkers can enter and explore the dry side of the cave. (Take some flashlights.)

Sightings of turtles, fish, ducks, and muskrats are fairly common at the Spring Mill Lake. We always took along some extra bread to feed those hungry ducks! The Nature Center is located on the lake. Experience a variety of educational displays and programs, and learn about everything from native wildlife to local geology.

My family is still coming back after all these years. Just last fall when my youngest son was discharged from the Navy and had a friend visiting from Arizona, we returned to this family favorite for a perfect Sunday outing!

This article was written by Carolyn Goebel, mother of three grown children and still one of Spring Mill’s biggest fans.