Indian Lake is a large lake with much of the shoreline built up. The best bird watching is probably just going around the lake stopping at places close to the water. Starting at Russells Point and traveling east on OH-366 you reach OH-368 which goes to Moundwood State Park and if followed to the end reaches Pew Island which has a nature trail. The area around Moundwood is good for waterfowl.

From Moundwood, take OH-366 to OH-117 North to OH-273. Take OH-273 West to Long Island which has good spring warbler watching (prothonotaries, cerulean, and waterthrushes), and an old heron rookery. Back to OH-117 and join OH-235 west. The roads along here go back to the lake and the road to Turkey Foot has a good pond on the east side of the road for wood ducks and assorted others in the spring. Further along, is Indian Lake State Park campground which has a nature trail and a canoe trail. OH-235 meets OH-366 and going south you come to Oldfield Island Beach. This has been good for shorebirds, swallows, pipits, and gulls. Continuing south along the west bank There is ample parking and a good view of the lake.

About 60 miles northwest of Columbus on US-33. About 50 miles north of Dayton on either OH-235 or OH-68. About 20 miles south of Lima on OH-117.

Parking Areas: At Moundwood, Pew Island, Oldfield Island, and the area south and east of Oldfield Island where there is a walking track.

Fox Island may be reached by a bridge from Paradise Island. The entrance is slightly hidden. As soon as you pass Spend-A-Day Marina, take the right fork and then the entrance will be on the right. There is parking for the beach which allows views of Indian Lake.

Fox Island has mature oak trees and a small beach, which sometimes has a few shorebirds. Gulls and waterfowl also frequent it. It also has a view of the bay across from the Moundwood boat ramp. The island provides scope views of most of the lower half of the bay and spillway.

Pew Island has an interesting little gravel trail surrounding two settling ponds used to filter dredging liquid and a small boardwalk over some marshy areas. During hunting season, the boardwalk is blocked off but the detour is still a good walk. There is a surprising variety of birds for such a small space, probably a lot more in spring migration. Climb the hill to see containment ponds where there is possible shorebird habitat in dry weather.

When submitting eBird observations at Indian Lake State Park, it is most helpful to start a new checklist for each hotspot within the state park. Use this general hotspot when you have a checklist that includes multiple locations or if no other hotspot or personal location is appropriate for your sightings.

The region of Indian Lake was originally a cluster of natural lakes situated on the Miami River. As the continental glaciers left Ohio, chunks of ice broke free, melted, and formed water-filled depressions called kettle lakes. The resultant shallow, marshy, natural lakes in this region covered an area of 640 acres. Among these were Old Indian Lake, Otter Lake, Blake Lake, Sheep Pen Lake, and the Buck Wheat Patch.

The present, and much larger, lake lies along one of the country’s major avian migration routes. Indian Lake is an important resting stop for birds such as Canada geese, ducks, grebes, swans, egrets, and herons. Many stay over the summer to nest.

Indian Lake State Park Trails
There are 3 hiking trails at Indian Lake State Park.

Cherokee Trail – 1.4 miles
An easy walk through brushy habitat, the trail is located west of the campground.

Pew Island Trail – 0.82 miles
This path encircles Pew Island, which can be accessed from a causeway and offers a spectacular view of Indian Lake. Pew Island has an interesting little gravel trail surrounding two settling ponds used to filter dredging liquid and a small boardwalk over some marshy areas. During hunting season, the boardwalk is blocked off but the detour is still a good walk. There is a surprising variety of birds for such a small space, probably a lot more in spring migration. Climb the hill to see containment ponds where there is possible shorebird habitat in dry weather.
From Steve Jones

Biking Trail – 3.5 mile
The paved multi-use bikeway is located on the West Bank between Old Field Beach and Lakeview Harbor. Walkers and joggers are also allowed.