Heron Rookery (West Side)

Heron Rookery (West Side) is a public boat launch on Little Calumet River in Porter County, Indiana.

It is owned and managed by Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Heron Rookery (West Side) is a trailer boat launch with a ramp.

The site is managed by Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Little Calumet River is open to public fishing, boating and paddling across the lakes and reservoirs of Indiana. Anglers here target largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, walleye and saugeye.

Lake Michigan access adds salmon, steelhead and lake trout.

As moving water, it fishes by current — target seams, eddies, holes, bends and woody cover rather than open flats.

Heron Rookery (West Side) is a public access point to Little Calumet River for trailered boats, kayaks and canoes.

This launch sits on Little Calumet River; look for other public access points, marinas and shoreline fishing spots along the same water, and check the Indiana DNR for the full list of access sites nearby.

River current, woody snags, shifting sandbars and changing water levels are the main hazards. Respect the current, scout unfamiliar stretches, give way to any commercial traffic, and never anchor from the stern in a strong flow.

Carry U.S. Coast Guard–required safety gear, wear your life jacket, file a float plan for longer trips, and remember that spring and fall water is cold enough to cause hypothermia quickly.

An Indiana fishing license is required for anglers 18 and older. Follow the Indiana DNR's seasons, size and creel limits, which vary by water and species.

Clean, Drain and Dry: remove all aquatic plants and animals, drain every compartment, and never move live fish or bait between waters — this is how invasive species like zebra mussels and invasive carp spread.

Observe posted launch rules, no-wake and idle zones near the ramp, and any local watercraft controls.

Stage your gear before backing down to keep the lanes moving, especially on busy mornings. Check the ramp depth for your boat's draft, and rig the trailer lights to handle a dunk.

Arrive early on summer weekends for parking, and have a plan for wind direction before you launch on open water.