Upper Tippecanoe River in Indiana

Much of verbiage below was supplied by Indiana DNR's Canoe Guide. The information was last updated at least 16 years ago. Put-in points have disappeared and new ones have formed since then.

It is very important that you submit any trip reports that you have and include what the put-in and take out points look like. With your help we can build a new and improved Indiana Canoe Guide. We will revise the information below as new information presents itself.

If you have a favorite river, chances are that you know it best. You can adopt a river for this site, then write about it and describe the put-in points. You will get full credit and you will be doing ALL Hoosiers a big favor.

The Tippecanoe River is considered the river of lakes. It is fed and nourished by eighty-eight natural lakes including some of the state's largest. It has a drainage area of approximately 1,900 square miles owing to the many small tributaries. Many lakes and swamps are the source of the tributaries, providing a more or less continuous flow of water. Each lake acts as a settling basin which reduces the amount of silt carried. The gentle, 166 mile river is bordered for much of its length by green fields and forest as it meanders down from Tippecanoe Lake in Kosciusko County. This is the deepest lake in the state. There is good fishing and hunting to be found along the river's banks and in the many cold springs that bubble out of the high bluffs and banks. Several small green islands add to the natural beauty of the Tippecanoe River. The water is amazingly clear and is generally muddy only after a storm. The Tippecanoe has an unusual profile in that its fall in the lower course greatly exceeds the fall in the upper course. This has resulted from the glacial drift material through which the river flows in the upper course.

Warsaw to Route 19

This ten mile section flows through extensive swamps and wetlands. It is difficult to follow the main corridor due to the growth of vegetation in the river. Along the four-hour trip there are numerous log jams and low-hanging branches which add interest, but are also hazardous. The average drop of the river is approximately 30" per mile, causing a moderate water flow.

Fishermen enjoy good fishing for pike, bass, and panfish. The banks of the river are lined with willow, maples, pine, oak and sycamore trees. Doctors and a hospital are located in Warsaw.

The put-in for the float between Warsaw and State Road 19 is a low stream bank west of Warsaw, adjacent to Old Highway 30 at the rest park near the bridge over the Tippecanoe. The car shuttle beginning at the Old Highway 30 put-in runs west on Old 30 to State Road 19. Continue south on State Road 19 to the river. The Mollenhour Public Access Site adjacent to State Road 19 has easy take-out facilities including a concrete ramp and a twenty-car parking lot.

Route 19 to Old Tip Access Site

This six-mile section of the Tippecanoe River is a beautiful four-hour float. The river flow is moderate but increases at various locations. This flow rushes you under sycamore, maples and willow trees which stretch out across the river. Several trip reports indicate that at times paddlers on this section of the river will also encounter many downed trees and log jams that require portaging. For the fishermen there is good bass, pike and panfish fishing. Plymouth and Warsaw have medical facilities and doctors in case of an emergency.

Putting in at the previously mentioned access site, the car shuttle begins at State Road 19 and the Tippecanoe River junction. Continue north on State Road 19 and the Tippecanoe River junction. Then proceed west to Route 331 where you turn south through Old Tip Town to the take-out adjacent to Route 331. There is a concrete ramp and ample parking facilities.

Old Tip Access Site to Menominee State Fishing Area

This fourteen-mile journey is a very pleasant and scenic six-hour trip. The river's corridor is lined with trees interspersed with farmland and developed areas. Not only is this section extremely scenic, it offers good fishing for the fishermen. Many bass, pike and panfish make the Tippecanoe River an excellent spot.

The put-in has already been mentioned in the last section and is located adjacent to Route 331, 3/4 mile north of Tippecanoe, Indiana where the bridge passes over the river.

The car shuttle begins at the Old Tip Town put-in by going south on Route 331 to State Road 110. Proceed west on Road 110 to Old U.S. 31 south. Continue south on Old Route 31 to the first county road past the river. Go left on this county road until you reach the Menominee State Fishing Area where there is a concrete ramp and ample parking.

An update of the condition of this stretch of the river was submitted By Jeff Kuhn. This section was scouted on Saturday, August 5th, 2000. I have added a couple of things to it and reprinted it:

On Saturday, August 5th Joe Smith and Jeff Kuhn of the Hoosier Canoe Club paddled approximately six miles from Old Tip Town access to Talma. Talma is an access point that is not described on this website and is about half way between Old Tip and Menominee. The USGS gauge (above the dam) was at 362 cfs and a level of 5.75 ft. above datum. This gauging station is located between Monterey and Tippecanoe River State park.

There are many downed trees and log jams through this section, some of which require lift-over or portaging. At higher water levels some of these could be dangerous. The worst of these are concentrated in an area about two miles downstream from Old Tip. It took us 30 minutes to cover about 200 yds through this section. After that the remaining deadfall was passable by careful maneuvering along with bumping and scraping. As you approach Talma there is evidence of the use of chainsaws and there is easier passage. The entire trip took just over 3 1/2 hours including the portages and a stop for lunch. The upper and lower parts of this section have development in the form of homes along the river, but the middle part has very little development and is quite scenic. I would not recommend this section for beginners or for running at high water due to the log jams.

Menominee State Fishing Area to Monterey

The nine-hour float between Rochester and Monterey is a scenic twenty-two mile trip. The moderate river flow allows you to enjoy this section of the river. The banks are lined with maple, willow and sycamore trees, providing excellent scenery with little development. Those wishing to camp along the way will find numerous private camping areas between Leiters Ford and Rochester.

The put-in at Menominee State Fishing Area is the access used for take-out in the previous trip. To arrange your car shuttle, return to Old US 31 and turn north. At State Road 110 turn left (west) and go about 9 1/2 miles to State Road 17. Cross the state highway and continue to 625 E. Turn left (south) on 625 E and go about three-quarters of a mile (passing the 750 N intersection) to a small road to the left which leads to Monterey City Park. The site has a concrete ramp, picnic area, pit toilets and ample parking facilities.

Monterey to Tippecanoe River State Park

The 15-mile float between Monterey and Tippecanoe River State Park is one of the more beautiful sections of the river. It is a very enjoyable 6-8 hour trip between banks lined with maple, sycamore and willows.

The river provides several natural swimming areas and fishermen enjoy good fishing for pike, bass and panfish. Camping facilities are available at Winamac State Fish and Wildlife Area, Tippecanoe River State Park and Bass Lake State Beach.

Put in at Monterey City Park, which was described in the last section. It has facilities for parking, picnicking, launching and pit toilets. To reach the take-out point go west out of Monterey and flow the signs to Tippecanoe River State Park. When you enter the state park the gate attendant will direct you to the launch area which has a concrete ramp for easy take-out.

Tippecanoe River State Park to the Winamac Access Site

The 5 1/2-hour float between Tippecanoe River State Park and Winamac has natural scenery with development scattered along the river bank. The moderate water flow travels the 15-mile distance offering a variety of recreation opportunities including picnicking, fishing, and swimming along the river. Fishermen will enjoy fishing for pike, smallmouth bass and red eyes. Winamac is the closest location for medical assistance.

The Tippecanoe River State Park access is described in the previous section. For a car shuttle take State Road 35 through Winamac. About one mile south of Winamac turn right on county Road 50 E and go south until another road enters from the left. Follow this road to the Winamac access site where there is room to park twenty cars.

Alternative access sites are located in Winamac City Park. From State Road 35 to reach the canoe access turn east on Washington St. in Winamac, across the bridge and watch for the park entrance on the left (north) side approximately 200 yards east of the bridge. Turn left and proceed to the canoe access site. A boat launch is also available and can be reached from State Road 35 by turning east on Main St. although the two access sites are about 250 yards from each other, the boat launch is almost a mile downstream from the canoe access.

According to Tippy-Canoe Rentals there is a new public access point called Haschel's Landing that is about 3/8 mile upstream of their livery. The public access is located off of CR N 240 E (aka N 215 E) a little south of E 300 N.

Winamac Access Site to Pulaski

Between Winamac and Pulaski the canoeists encounters beautiful trees and thick undergrowth; however, there is also much human development. The river flows lazily and in the shallows there will be large rocks in the river bed. As in other sections there is good fishing for bass, pike and panfish along the river corridor.

This short, seven-mile section should take only 3 or 3 1/2 hours to float. Using the Winamac State Access Site as a put-in, you can drive to the take-out by returning to the town of Winamac and taking State Road 119 south to Pulaski where you turn right and cross over the river into town. Take the first street to the right and proceed two blocks and turn right again into the Pulaski Conservation club.

Below Pulaski the river widens as Lake Shafer and Lake Freeman form. Although these lakes can be canoed, we have not included them in this guide.

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