COLUMBUS – Central Ohio’s public lakes and reservoirs are an excellent place to fish for saugeye, crappie, smallmouth bass, and catfish, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Summer is a great time to grab a fishing pole and head to the nearest body of water.
Including Lake Erie, the Ohio River, the thousands of inland lakes, reservoirs and ponds, and miles of streams, Ohio has plentiful public fishing opportunities. At $25 for a resident one-year license, fishing is an inexpensive and outdoor recreational activity that is accessible for all. Youth under the age of 16 can fish for free, and all Ohio residents can fish without purchasing a license during Free Fishing Days on June 15-16. All size and daily limits apply during these two days.
ODNR lists Deer Creek Lake, located in Fayette and Pickaway counties, as a good location to catch crappie:
“Deer Creek Lake is one of central Ohio’s best hotspots for large crappie. Both black and white crappie abound. Anglers are likely to find success by targeting submerged brush piles and trees throughout the reservoir. These feisty sport fish can be caught on light tackle. The daily limit at Deer Creek Lake is 30 crappie, with a minimum size requirement of nine inches.”
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 from any mobile device. For more information on fishing tips and forecasts, go to wildohio.gov.
These locations are great places to catch a Fish Ohio! qualifying trophy. The Fish Ohio program celebrates amazing catches of 25 species of fish. Those who reel in a qualifying catch receive a commemorative Fish Ohio pin for their first entry, and a Master Angler pin for catching four different qualifying species in the same year. This year, the pin features a longear sunfish.
