LaGrange County, Indiana
Big Long Lake Vacation Rental Guide
About Big Long Lake
Big Long Lake is a spring-fed, all-sports lake in LaGrange County, Indiana — roughly 300 acres of clean water tucked into the woods and farm country near Wolcottville, in the heart of the state's Amish country. It's one of the quieter northeast Indiana lakes: big enough for boating and skiing, small enough to feel like your own.
Our home, The Farmhouse, sits right on the shoreline with a private dock, a lakefront yard, and a deck overlooking the water. If you're looking for a Big Long Lake rental for a family reunion, a summer week, or a long weekend, this guide covers what there is to do on the water and around town — and our page on the lake house rental in Indiana covers the dock, the bedrooms and booking direct.
Looking further afield? Big Long is one of 239 public lakes across LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and Kosciusko counties — see the guide to northern Indiana lakes for the whole region.
Things to Do on the Lake
An all-sports lake means there's a little of everything.
Swimming & Sandy Shoreline
Big Long Lake has clean, swimmable water and a gently sloping shoreline that's great for kids. Wade in off the dock or float the afternoon away.
Boating, Tubing & Skiing
As an all-sports lake, Big Long is open to motorboats, tubes, and water skis. There's room to pull the kids around and still find a quiet cove.
Fishing
Bass, bluegill, and crappie keep anglers busy from the dock or a boat. Mornings and evenings are the sweet spots.
Kayaking & Paddleboarding
At roughly 300 acres, you can paddle the whole shoreline before lunch. The water is glass first thing in the morning.
Events & What’s On
Seasonal happenings on Big Long Lake and around Amish country.
Every Tuesday & Wednesday, May–September
Shipshewana Flea Market
Shipshewana, ~15 minutes away
One of the Midwest's largest outdoor flea markets — 700+ vendors across 40 acres, plus the year-round antique auction.
All summer long
Roadside Farm Stands
Throughout LaGrange County
Amish-country sweet corn, tomatoes, melons, and baked goods appear at front-yard stands and gravel pull-offs from June through the fall harvest.
Late June – early July
Lake & Town Fireworks
Big Long Lake & nearby Wolcottville
The lake comes alive around Independence Day — boat parades on the water and fireworks you can watch right from the dock.
September – October
Fall in Amish Country
LaGrange County & Chain O'Lakes State Park
Cooler mornings, quiet water, and the trees turning. Great for kayaking, hiking Chain O'Lakes (~30 minutes south), and pie season at the local bakeries.
Dates shift a little year to year — check the organizers’ sites for current schedules before you plan around them.
When to Visit
Summer (June through August) is peak season — warm water, long days, and the best weather for swimming, boating, and everything else on the water. Weekends book up first.
Early fall is beautiful and quieter, with fewer boats and the trees starting to turn. Late spring weekends are great for fishing and kayaking before the summer crowds arrive.
Public Access & Getting on the Lake
Where to launch a boat, and the rules of the water once you’re out.
Staying at The Farmhouse, you don’t need a ramp at all — the private dock puts you straight on the water. But if you’re trailering your own boat, Big Long Lake has a public access site: the launch at 9555 E 600 S, Wolcottville, at the north end of the lake.
The ramp puts in on a quiet channel off the main water, so launching is calm even when the lake is busy. The trade-off is size: the parking area is small and the channel is snug, which suits fishing boats and runabouts better than big rigs. On summer Saturdays, arrive early for a parking spot.
Once you’re out, the lake association’s rules are simple: boat traffic runs counterclockwise, boats keep 200 feet off shore except when entering or leaving, and between sunset and sunrise it’s idle speed only. The water under you is spring-fed and deep — around 30 feet on average, and past 80 feet at the deepest point.
The orange pin is the public access launch at the north end of the lake. Open it for the address and directions.
Stay on Big Long Lake
Four bedrooms, sleeps 12, private dock. Tell us your dates and group size and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.
Check the Big Long Lake Rental