About Indian Lake

Indian Lake is a 268-acre reservoir, impounded by an earthen dam, and is the headwaters of the Saugatucket River in Washington County, Rhode Island. The Saugatucket River Watershed provides habitat for sea-run fish that travel through the Point Judith Pond estuary at the Port of Galilee. Each year, thousands of river herring (alewives) migrate seven miles up the Saugatucket River, passing over three fishways to access their historic spawning grounds in Indian Lake. It is a shallow reservoir, averaging about 6 feet deep, with a deep spot of 9 ft. The watershed of Indian Lake is predominantly forested. Waterfront residents enjoy swimming from their docks, small boat sailing, paddling, and angling. The Nature Conservancy estimates that the Saugatucket River watershed has the potential to support 200,000 spawning adult river herring. Indian Lake is also a popular spot for bass fishing tournaments, hosting over a dozen derbies each summer at the state boat ramp, which is open to the public.