Koontz Lake

25 Miles from South Bend

At Koontz Lake, you will get the feeling of seclusion you have been looking for while having the comforts of a supermarket, Dollar General, gas stations, and local eateries nearby.

South Bend is less than 30 miles north of the lake, home to South Bend International Airport, Memorial Hospital, hotels, attractions, and more.

Popular Since the Mid-1800s

Originally, Koontz Lake was two smaller lakes that resulted from glaciers. Its small outlet stream was dammed in 1848 to create the beautiful, 346-acre lake it is today.

By 1915 the lake went from having visitors to full-time residents in their newly built cottages. During the huckleberry season, campers would line the north shore of the lake intents to access the abundance of berries in the marsh.

Host to All Lake Activities

Koontz Lake is a prime location for lake activities. Its waters are open for all water recreation, including powerboating, pontooning, water skiing, jet skiing, tubing, wakeboarding, sailing, and more.

It is also a reliable fishery, holding a healthy population of largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, perch, and northern pike. Several annual bass-fishing tournaments attract anglers to the lake. Fishers enjoy ice fishing in the winter as well.

The public has access to a boat ramp on the southeastern shore of the lake.

Nature Preserve, National Park, and Community Events

Koontz Lake Nature Preserve on the north end of the lake provides a vast stretch of natural woodlands for hiking, biking, and nature watching.

Indiana Dunes National Park is a place worth visiting, just 45 miles northwest of the lake. You cannot miss out on its 15 miles of beach and dunes, rivers, prairies, savannas, and marshes. The park is home to over 350 species of birds and over 90 endangered plants.

Koontz Lake Association hosts a Float-a-Rama boat parade, paddleboat races, and a fantastic firework show for the 4th of July.

One of Indiana’s Best-Kept Secrets

At Koontz Lake, you can enjoy endless lake recreation while being less than an hour from Lake Michigan or the attractions of South Bend.