12-Digit Watershed Map
Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams
Lake Wawasee
Turkey Creek Township, IN
Lake Facts
Overview Information
Lake Size
3006 Acres
Max Depth
81 Feet
Average Depth
22 Feet
Watershed Size
24448 Acres
Inlets
Launer Creek, Dillon Creek, Turkey Creek, Lake Papakeechie Outlet
Outlets
Syracuse Lake
Access
Public; Hatchery Rd. and CR 1000N
Recreation
Boat, Ski, Fish
Lake Bottom
Gravel, Muck, Sand
Best Fishing
Bluegill, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Redear, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch
Lakefront/ Channelfront Total Gross Assessed Value (2012)
$1,286,672,696
Fish Consumption Advisory
See current advisories, if any, HERE.
Data and research
Lake Wawasee
Maps
Original Research from the Lilly Center
2023 Beneath the Surface
Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams
Beneath the Surface will equip you with information that will give your family, organization or agency the ability to care for Lake Wawasee. Read more about the third year of the spatial variability study conducted on Lake Wawasee.
2022 Beneath the Surface
Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams
Beneath the Surface will equip you with information that will give your family, organization or agency the ability to care for Lake Wawasee. In 2022, we learn about the immense evaporation that takes place on Lake Wawasee during the summer.
2021 Beneath the Surface
Lilly Center Lakes & Streams
Beneath the Surface will equip you with information that will give your family, organization or agency the ability to care for Lake Wawasee. In 2021, we learned that Wawasee’s microcystin levels were higher in the latter half of the summer and lower in the first half.
2021 A year of sampling on Lake Wawasee
Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams
Two long-standing Lake Wawasee families, the Herdrichs and the Griffiths, funded this year-long monthly sampling effort on the lake to see what’s going on under the surface in the off-season.
2021 Your Lake, Your Story
Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams
Your Lake, Your Story tells the story of seven lakes (including the Lake Wawasee) from the perspective of 15 families that are much like yours. After reading these books, you’ll know fascinating trivia and have home-grown recipes. Woven throughout, you’ll find original Lilly Center research about the lakes’ health.
2019 A study of potential treatments for effective management of starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) in Lake Wawasee, Indiana
Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams
Zebra mussels are an aquatic invasive species. They filter-feed on green algae but do not consume cyanobacteria, throwing the phytoplankton community out of balance. Careful recreation is important! Two of our major lakes – and maybe more of our smaller ones – are still uninfested!
2017 Your Lake, Your Story
Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams
Your Lake, Your Story combines scientific data with personal anecdotes to tell the story of your lake.
2015 Beneath the Surface
Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams
This is the original Beneath the Surface report, published in 2015. Learn about your lake’s health and compare it to other lakes in the county.
2014 Blue-Green Algae Study Final Report & Appendix
Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams
This paper synthesizes three years of blue-green algae research (2010-13) conducted by the Lilly Center. We have continued to study the algae and its toxin in-depth.
2013 Lake Economic Impact Study: Property Value Report
Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams
When combined with additional property taxes generated due to lake presence, the total economic impact of Kosciusko County lakes is more than $313,383,000 annually.
Quantification of lake water level influences for Wawasee and Syracuse lakes: Lake and watershed water budgets for 2011, 2012, and 2013
Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the causes of lake level changes during normal years and a drought year.
2009 Historical Literature Review
Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams
This document provides a list of trusted, historical resources. It mentions this lake.
2007 Comparative Water Quality Study
Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams
In 2007, the Lilly Center published this baseline study which compares 30 lakes throughout Kosciusko County.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDEM)
Fish Population Survey and Shoreline Fish Community at Lake Wawasee 2005
IDEM
Lake Wawasee was sampled on July 12-16, 2004 to determine the status of the fish population.
Fishing Advisory for the General Population
IDEM
Be aware of bullhead species while fishing. Do not consume more than IDEM’s suggested amount.
Need more lake research?
Additional studies and fact sheets are just one click away. Learn about boating, zebra mussels, blue-green algae and more!