Patoka Lake

About this park

With 26,000 acres of land and water, Patoka Lake is a fine example of lake ecology. An 8,800-acre lake provides habitat for freshwater jellyfish and bald eagle nesting sites. River otters and osprey were reintroduced at Patoka by the DNR. The property also was home to the DNR's resident, non-releasable bald eagle, C52. This raptor lived at Patoka Lake from 1988 until he died in 2009, at age 21. The property's Interpretive Services staff presents programs and special events featuring the reconstructed Moery Cabin, a non-releasable red-tailed hawk, and other natural and cultural history features of the area. Programs on kayaking, Dutch oven cooking and other outdoor skills are also offered. The lake is located just south of the historic towns of French Lick and West Baden, and just east of historic Jasper.