Best Fishing Lakes In Ohio

Ohio has more than 50,000 lakes and many species such as Crappie, Catfish, Northern Pike. With more than 124,000 acres of inland water and 7000 miles of streams in Ohio state, there are many choices for you. 

Making a plan will help you save time and get you to the best places to go for fishing in Ohio. 

1/ Ohio River

 The Ohio River is one of the best places to hook and provides full year round fishing fun in Ohio. Bass are  the most popular species in the Ohio River like Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass.  You also see Channel, Flathead and Blue Catfish. It has a boundary which is 451 – mile along the southern border of the state, there are many good locations for you to head out into the waters. The upper portion of the river has many  Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike and Panfish and the downstream which is deeper and broader have Catfish, Flathead and Blue. 

2/ Alum Creek

It is located in the center of Ohio and became a popular lake in the state because of its size.  Alum Creek has healthy populations of Musky, Crappie, Catfish, Saugeye, Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass. The southern basin has many rocky points so it is a good place to fish Bass. And It is also the only Musky lake in the center of Ohio. 

3/ Seneca Lake

Seneca Lake is one of the biggest public fishing lakes in Ohio. There are more than 45 miles of shoreline and many species to fish like Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Saugeye and Channel Catfish. Anglers can have Blue Catfish win Seneca Lake too. 

4/ Clear Fork Reservoir

With 14 miles of shoreline, Clear Fork Reservoir is one of the best bass fishing lakes in Ohio and also one of the top Musky lakes for anglers. In the western of the lake, water is more shallow and has more fallen trees, stumps where you find the best bass fishing. Crappie, Bluegill and Channel Catfish are other common fish in Clear Fork Reservoir. Boat fishing is most popular on the lake. It was voted one of the top 50 spots in the US. 

5/ Piedmont Lake

It is a hot spot for fishing all year and anglers can fish Crappie, Smallmouth Bass. Almost a half of the fish in the lake are Smallmouth Bass.  Due to the rocky shoreline, and downed trees, docks, Piedmont Lake has natural habitats for Crappie.  The lake has great fishing for Smallmouth Bass, Saugeye and Musky. 

6/ Hoover Reservoir

Hoover Reservoir has healthy populations of Channel Catfish and Flatheads. Other species common at the lake include  Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Saugeye, Crappie and Longnose Gar. Close to the dam or around the southern basin are some of the most popular areas to go on fishing when you want to have Bass. 

7/ Indian Lake

The lake is famous for its good populations of Sunfish, Crappie and Saugeye. Largemouth, Walleye, Yellow and Catfish show up in the waters of the lake. The best spot can be found at Indian Lake in the summer months. Indian Lake produces excellent Saugeye, White Bass, Sunfish and Crappie. 


We will provide you a  list of the best places to fish in Ohio. 

Name of lake 

Types of fish 

Ohio River

Saugeye, Walleye, Hybrid Striped Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Channel, Flathead and Blue Catfish

Alum Creek 

Crappie, Musky, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Catfish, Saugeye 

Senecaville Lake 

Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Bullhead, Channel Catfish, Saugeye, Hybrid Striped Bass, 

Clear Fork Reservoir 

Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, White Bass, Channel Catfish, 

Piedmonth Lake 

Muskellunge, Saugeye, Shovelhead Catfish, Channel Catfish,  Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill 

Hoover Reservoir 

Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, White Crappie, Black Crappie, Channel Catfish, White Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Longnose Gar, Saugeye

Grand Lake St. Marys 

Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Walleye, Channel Catfish, Yellow Perch, Bullhead, Suckers,

Pymatuning Lake 

Muskellunge, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Walleye, Flathead Catfish, White Crappie, Brown Bullhead, White Bass 

Indian Lake

Saugeye, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, White Bass, Yellow Perch, Bullheads, 

Findlay Reservoir 

Walleye, Yellow Perch, White Bass, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Bullhead


Fish  in Ohio are the inspiration for us to create beautiful, quality long sleeve fishing shirts. Take a look some long sleeve fishing shirts and we look forward to accompanying you on your fishing trips.