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Buckeye Lake
Central Ohio's Buckeye Lake spans three counties including
Licking, Fairfield, and Perry counties. Built in the 1800s
as a canal feeder lake, Buckeye is characteristically
shallow and devoid of structure. While a few holes are as
deep as 16 feet, most of the lake is less than 10 feet deep.
During the day, the cats will hold in the deeper holes. At
night, they move to adjacent flats to feed. Look for flats
near the deeper water.
In the western end of the lake, a few deep holes will be
found near Liebs Island. Launch facilities on Liebs Island
provide access. The island may be reached via state Route 79
and Millersport Road. There are more deep holes in the
central and eastern portion of the lake near Cranberry,
Avondale, and Ayles landings.
Anglers can expect to find plenty of channel cats here, some
up to 20 pounds, complemented by a surprising population of
flatheads. Try fishing soft crayfish for channel cats and
creek chubs or suckers for flatheads.
Indian Lake
Another District One catfish hotspot is a similar canal feeder lake built
in the 1800s. Indian Lake is shallow -- not counting the ski
zone or causeway, most of it ranges between 3 and 8 feet
deep-- and for the most part structure-free.
The main attraction is the cat fishing. According to Ohio
Division of Wildlife reports, the upper basin is the best
water during the summer; look for areas with some current or
flow.
Soft craws are a good bet at Indian Lake. Night crawlers,
chicken livers, and cut bait will also yield results.
Shoreline and boating access is provided by Indian Lake
State Park. The park is along the western shore and can be
reached via state Route 366.
Burr Oak Lake
District Four's top bet this year is Burr Oak Lake. Covering
644 acres in Athens and Morgan counties, Burr Oak Lake was
built as a multiple-use reservoir for flood control, water
supply and recreation. The Tom Jenkins Dam was constructed
across the valley of the east branch of Sunday Creek, which
is a tributary of the larger Hocking River.
Burr Oak Lake is noted for its trophy channel cats, but it
is known for numbers. If you live in southern Ohio and are
looking for a lot of action and fish for the frying pan,
this is the place to be in July.
The best way to access the rugged shoreline of Burr Oak Lake
is with a boat. Township Road 207 provides access to a boat
ramp on the western shore.
For maps or more information regarding Burr Oak Lake,
contact the District Four office of the ODOW at 360 East
State Street, Athens, OH 45701
Grand Lake St. Mary's, which encompasses an amazing 13,500 acres Grand
Lake Three catfish species -- channels, bullheads and
flatheads -- are on tap here. Anglers can expect bullheads
to measure 9 to 12 inches; channel cats average 11 to 18
inches, with some up to 15 pounds, while the flatheads, less
numerous than the other two species, weigh in at 5 to 20
pounds.
Bullhead fishing is usually best in the spring, but that
doesn't mean you won't catch a few while you're after the
channel cats. The numerous channels along the southern shore
are usually good for bullheads and channel cats.
A launch site in the northeastern corner of the lake
provides good access to the canals along the southern shore.
The launch is near the junction of state Route 29 and state
Route 364.
Rocky Fork Lake
Rocky Fork Lake is a perennial favorite with cat fishermen.
Constructed in 1951 by impounding Rocky Fork Creek, the lake
reaches depths of up to 60 feet. However, most of the lake
ranges from 10 to 25 feet deep.
A strong population of channel cats should supply anglers
with plenty of 1- to 3-pound fish and an occasional trophy
topping 15 pounds. Complementing the thriving channel cat
fishery is a healthy flathead population. Rocky Fork
flatheads can reach 30 pounds or more.
Anglers can reach several boat launches by traveling east on
U. S. Route 50 from Hillsboro. The southern shore of Rocky
Fork Lake has the majority of launches. The first site can
be reached by heading south on state Route 753 to McCoppin
Mill and Lucas Lane.
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