OHIO – ODNR says that Southeast Ohio public fishing lakes and reservoir’s offer some of the States best fishing for Bass and Saugeye.
Ohio has 124,000 acres of inland water, 7,000 miles of streams, 2.25 million acres of Lake Erie water, and 481 miles of the Ohio River. At $25 for a resident one-year fishing license, fishing is a cost-effective and accessible outdoor reactional activity.
The Division of Wildlife has numerous resources available to assist anglers, including lake maps, fishing tips by species, and fishing forecasts. Many of these resources are available right at your fingertips with the HuntFish OH mobile app. Fishing regulations and an interactive fishing map can be located with ease from any mobile device. For more information on fishing tips and forecasts, go to wildohio.gov. Here are a few areas in southeast Ohio anglers may want to visit.
Largemouth bass
Lake Vesuvius (Lawrence County) – Lake Vesuvius was drained in the early 2000s and restocked in 2004. Fish from the initial stocking and subsequent spawns have produced a nice population with good sizes of largemouth bass. Fish attractors were placed in lake in 2020 and are good places to target bass, as are the numerous fallen trees and weed beds. Fish attractor locations can be found on our interactive fishing map. A boat launch is located on Lake Vesuvius Road. A long, accessible fishing pier is located along the launch and down the lake, and a hiking trail winds around the lake. Electric motors only.
Saugeye
Belmont Lake (Belmont County) – Trophy saugeye are a major attraction at Belmont Lake, and shore fishing opportunities abound. The best spot to fish is around the bridges on the north side of the lake. Most saugeye are caught at night using a swimbait, suspending stickbait, or a jig tipped with a minnow or twistertail. A single launch is located on the north side of the lake off the main park road. Shore access is available along the dam, around the boat launch, and around the beach area. Only hand-powered boats and boats with electric motors are permitted at Belmont Lake.
Crappie
Lake Snowden (Athens County) – Lake Snowden boasts a good population of crappie longer than 9 inches, with recent reports of catches up to 16 inches. Fish the numerous attractors and fallen trees along the shore. In the summer, fish the deeper structure piles and along the deeper weed edges. Fish attractor locations can be found on our interactive fishing map. Look for a two-lane launch off Lake Snowden Drive. Shore access is abundant around the launch and in the campgrounds. Boats with unlimited horsepower are permitted on the lake, but are required to operate at no wake. Largemouth bass have a four fish daily split limit: anglers can keep two fish less than 15 inches and two fish 15 inches or longer.
CatfishLake Logan (Hocking County) –
Lake Logan is one of the premier catfish lakes in the area with good numbers and size of both channel catfish and flathead catfish. Anglers targeting flathead catfish should focus on the trees and stumps along the south side shore. Don’t overlook the structure piles added in 2017 as flathead catfish will lay underneath the piles of trees and ambush prey swimming by. Fish attractor locations are found on our interactive fishing map. Several launches provide access around the lake. The main launch is located close to the dam off Lake Logan Road. Another launch is located in the upper part of the lake next to the beach also off Lake Logan Road. An unimproved launch is located in the upper end of the lake off Murphy Road. Plenty of shore access can be found along the dam, around the boat launches, and on a fishing pier on the north side of the lake off Lake Logan Road. Lake Logan has a 10-horsepower limit for boat outboard motors.The Division of Wildlife is responsible for conserving and improving fish and wildlife resources in the Buckeye State.
