Indiana lake depth maps
Lake James depth map
Lake James in Indiana reaches a depth of 83 feet. The official Indiana survey maps 83 depth bands across 1356 contour lines. This free map of Lake James shows every surveyed contour as an interactive depth chart you can use to plan a session before you travel.
Lake James depth chart: 83 depth bands to 83 ft
Data: Indiana DNR Lake Bathymetry (credit: Indiana DNR), retrieved August 2026 · depths change over time · not for navigation
| Depth contour | Share of mapped area inside it |
|---|---|
| 2 ft | about 96% |
| 3 ft | about 96% |
| 4 ft | about 54% |
| 6 ft | about 45% |
| 8 ft | about 7% |
| 83 ft | under 1% |
Share of the surveyed surface area enclosed by each depth contour, computed from the Indiana DNR Lake Bathymetry data.
How to fish Lake James: deep, two-story water
At 83 feet, this is a two-story fishery: warm-water species work the shallows and weed edges while the deep basin can hold cold-water fish below the summer thermocline. In summer, target the transition where the bottom breaks from the shallow shelf toward the basin; fish suspend along that edge at dawn and dusk. The 83 mapped depth bands make it straightforward to find those breaks before you launch.
Ice fishing on Lake James
On deep water like Lake James, the winter bite concentrates along the first major drop-off rather than the deepest basin. Use the contours above to find where the shallow shelf breaks toward deep water and set up on that edge; panfish and walleye slide up and down it through the day. Late ice often pushes fish shallower again. Always verify ice thickness locally before walking out, and remember deep lakes freeze later and less evenly than shallow ones.
Lake James depth map FAQs
- How deep is Lake James?
- Lake James reaches a maximum depth of 83 feet, according to the Indiana DNR Lake Bathymetry survey. Most of the lake is shallower, with 83 mapped depth bands between the shoreline and the deepest hole.
- Where is the deepest part of Lake James?
- The deepest surveyed water on Lake James sits toward the southwestern corner of the lake, inside the 83 ft contour. The interactive depth map above shows the full basin outline and the breaks leading into it.
- How accurate is this Lake James depth map?
- The contours come from the Indiana DNR Lake Bathymetry survey. Depths change over time with water levels and sediment, so treat this map as a planning guide for fishing, and never use it for navigation. Per Indiana DNR, the data are graphical representations for reference only, not a survey instrument.
Depth maps for lakes near Lake James
- Barton Lake depth map · 30 ft max · 2 mi away
- Gentian/failing Lake depth map · 45 ft max · 2 mi away
- Bell Lake depth map · 25 ft max · 3 mi away
- Buck Lake depth map · 41 ft max · 6 mi away
- Wall Lake depth map · 30 ft max · 9 mi away
Mapped fishing venues near Lake James
Lake James in the venue directory covers access and fishing details for this water.
- Barton Lake · 2 mi away
- Gentian/failing Lake · 2 mi away
- Bell Lake · 3 mi away
Fishing in Indiana needs a state license: US fishing license guide · all Indiana venues