Living on Lake Wawasee

Lake Wawasee covers about 3,006 acres and reaches a maximum depth of about 81 feet, with an average depth of about 22 feet. Its watershed — the land that drains into it — is about 24,448 acres.

The lake bottom is listed as gravel, muck and sand. That's worth knowing when you picture wading in off your own dock.

• Indiana's largest natural lake.
• Formerly called Turkey Lake, and named for the Miami chief Wawasee.
• The Wawasee Yacht Club was established in 1935 and hosts summer sailboat racing.
• The July 4th flotilla boat parade and fireworks are a lake tradition.
• The Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation was formed in 1991.

No speed rule is listed for Lake Wawasee, and skiing is part of its listed recreation alongside boating and fishing, so skiing and tubing are on the table here.

Rules can change, so confirm current regulations with Indiana DNR before you go.

Species listed for Lake Wawasee include bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, redear, rock bass and yellow perch.

Indiana publishes fish consumption guidance; you can find links and lake information through the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams.

Access: Hatchery Rd and CR 1000N.

Beach: No beach listed.

Listed recreation: boating, skiing and fishing.

Water in: Launer Creek, Dillon Creek, Turkey Creek and the Papakeechie outlet.

Water out: To Syracuse Lake.

• Syracuse Lake
• Papakeechie Lake

Lake Wawasee is in Turkey Creek Township, at Syracuse.

• Living in Syracuse
• Living in Kosciusko County

Every lake has its own personality, and Lake Wawasee is no exception. When I help someone buy on a lake, we start with how you actually want to spend your days — and then we look hard at the water itself.

A third or more of my lake buyers come from Illinois, so I'm used to working around long drives and tight weekends.

Skiing is part of the listed recreation here, so it's worth thinking about how you'll use the water — and how busy you like it on a summer afternoon.

I'll help you look at shoreline, frontage, the lake bottom near the dock, and how the home works year-round versus as a summer place. And if you're selling on Lake Wawasee, I'll help you show off what makes your spot on the water special.

I've renovated and flipped homes myself, so when we tour lake properties I'll help you look beyond the finishes to the quality, the potential and what the place could become.