J. Edward Roush Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir lake, once known as Huntington Lake, located just three miles southeast of the City of Huntington, Indiana. With 900 acres of lake surface and 7600 acres of recreational land, along with its proximity to services and amenities, the COE park is popular for fishing, hunting, boating, picnicking, and watersports. The reservoir, which sits at an elevation of 748 feet, was completed in 1968, and is named for J. Edward Roush who served as a State Representative for Indiana.
The dam and reservoir provide flood control to the region, and J. Edward Roush Lake, along with Salamonie and Mississinewa Lake, are known as the upper Wabash Reservoirs. The lake is approximately 15 miles long, and fairly narrow, occupying a section of the Wabash River Basin.
The region was once occupied by the Miami Indians. Chief Little Turtle was a famous Miami Indian warchief who resisted the encroachment of settlement in the area with a victory in 1791 at Fort Recovery, Ohio, and later advocated for and negotiated peace in the region.
The reservoir and recreational lands are now managed by the Corps of Engineers in conjunction with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The COE manages the reservoirs, water levels, and some recreational sites along the reservoir, while the DNR manages public lands and recreational facilities in the area including the campgrounds.
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Corps of Engineers J. Edward Roush Lake, is located just a few miles southeast of the City of Huntington, Indiana, and occupies land in both Huntington and Wells counties.
From the City of Fort Wayne, the lake is about a 20-mile drive southwest and from Indianapolis the COE park is about a 100-mile drive.
From the City of Huntington drive south on Indiana Route 5. Route 5 becomes N Warren Road as it passes over the dam on the west side of the lake. The road over the dam is paved and wide enough to accommodate RV units with no overhead structures or height limits.
To reach the J. E. Roush Fish and Wildlife Area, near the COE offices, take Warren Road 0.7 miles from the south end of the dam and turn east on the access road to the recreation area.
To reach the Little Turtle Recreation Area, travel 1 mile east on Route 5 from the intersection of West Division Road to the campground access road on the north side.
Kil-so-quah campground can be accessed 2 miles southeast on Route 224 from the intersection of Route 5. The access road is on the south side. There are some services including a gas station, fishing and tackle store, and ATM at this intersection, just minutes from the campground.
All area routes and access roads are paved, well maintained and accessible for RVs. When traveling in recreation areas and campgrounds, be aware of some tight corners and reduced sightlines, drive slow and leave yourself enough room to negotiate corners.
Located on the north side of the lake, The Kil-so-quah Campground has approximately 100 sites and offers RV and tenting sites. There are serviced and unserviced sites available and a variety of open and treed sites. Choose privacy and shade or better sightlines and accessibility depending on your preference.
Amenities at the campground include a boat launch, dump station, playground, pit toilets, showers, and drinking water supply. Sites have picnic tables and fire rings. Larger campsites are available at the entrance in the open grassy area with electric hookups. More private, treed, unserviced sites are available further down the campground road that overlooks the lake. The more private sites overlooking the lake are ideal for a campfire, but be sure to be safe. For tips check out Campfire Safety.
Many visitors bring their boats to launch on the lake and enjoy water sports and fishing or bring firearms and bows for use at the shooting range on the other side of the lake. Bows must be unstrung and firearms unloaded at the campground, and their use is prohibited in the camping area. Pets are welcome but should remain leashed.
With 200 acres of impoundment area harboring largemouth bass, bluegill, and redear sunfish and 700 acres of lake with species that include crappie, white bass, channel catfish, smallmouth bass and rough fish, J. Edward Roush Lake is an excellent destination for your next fishing trip in the Huntington, Indiana area. Below the dam, fishing enthusiasts will find walleye as well.
Motorized and non-motorized boats are allowed on the lake, and non-motorized boats are permitted in the impoundment areas. Shore fishing from the boat ramp and the shoreline around the lake is also available. Be sure to have a valid Indiana State fishing license and obey rules and regulations. Of note, largemouth and smallmouth bass have a 14-inch size limit, and fishing on Rock Creek is by catch and release only. The spring and fall seasons may be preferable for fishing, when there is less boating, swimming, and water sport activity at the lake.
Before hunting in the designated areas at J. Edward Roush Lake, you must obtain permission by signing in and then checking out when you leave at one of the six sign-in stations located on the access routes to the hunting areas.
Species available for hunting in the appropriate season include deer, rabbit, squirrel, waterfowl, dove, pheasant, and wild turkey. Be sure to have valid license and tags, and be aware of and obey, all local hunting rules and regulations. There are some ADA accessible hunting areas; check at the COE or DNR office for information on specific rules and accessible sites.
For visitors wanting to try some target shooting, there is a state-of-the-art shooting range located at 1002 Division Road adjacent to the Little Turtle Recreation Area. Shooting at the range is open to the public during business hours, when certified range safety officers are on duty. Availability to the public is first come first served, and during the offseason when the range is less busy, it is more accessible for visiting target shooters.
There is a fee for use. Check out the website for hours and fees at Fish & Wildlife Area Shooting Ranges. Always use caution and be sure to obey all gun safety rules to ensure safe target shooting for yourself and other users.
Boating and watersports are popular activities during the summer at this Indiana, Corps of Engineers lake. There is no limit to size and speed for boats in the lake, with the exception of impoundment fishing areas, and around marked recreation areas. Launching permits are required and are available at the DNR office.
The Kil-so-quah and Little Turtle Recreation areas have concrete ramps for motorboats. The Little Turtle ramp is only open when water levels are too high for the Kill-so-quah site to be usable. There are also three car top watercraft launch sites at the lake.
Little Turtle Beach has a designated swimming area that is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. There are no lifeguards on duty so ensure you stick to areas appropriate for your swimming ability. Children should be within arms reach and flotation devices are encouraged for inexperienced or non-swimmers.
There is a sandy beach for sunbathing, change houses, and picnic tables at the site. The beach may be closed due to high water or blue-green algae blooms. A day-use fee is applicable.
There are two picnic shelters available for reservation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, located near the dam. These group picnic shelters are ideal for organizations, family reunions, and large outdoor get-togethers. One is located at Observation Mound and features a great view of the lake. It has nine tables, three grills, lights, electricity, water, and is ADA accessible. This shelter is located on the upstream side of the dam and restrooms are located nearby.
Located on the downstream side of the dam, the Arrowhead North Picnic Shelter has 18 picnic tables and a shelter with lights, water, and electricity. The picnic site is also accessible and has a playground and restrooms nearby.
