ODNR Division of Wildlife - Fishing - Fishing Forecast - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing Forecast

The smallmouth bass fishing forecast ranks the best lakes greater than 50 acres in the state based upon standardized fish surveys conducted during the previous five years.  For a description of the forecast and the fields, view the Forecast Details page.  In most Ohio lakes and reservoirs, smallmouth bass are absent or in relatively low numbers, but a few lakes and reservoirs contain fishable populations of smallmouth.


Top Ranked Smallmouth Bass Lakes Surveyed within the Past Five Years


Numbers of Smallmouth Bass
Rank Lake
1 New London Reservoir
2 Piedmont Lake
3 Lake Milton
4 Vets Memorial Reservoir
5 Pleasant Hill Lake
6 Van Wert Reservoir #2
7 Van Wert Reservoir #1
8 Ferguson Reservoir
9 Lima Lake
10 Berlin Lake
 
Smallmouth Bass over 15 Inches
Rank Lake
1 Van Wert Reservoir #1
2 Van Wert Reservoir #2
3 New London Reservoir
4 Piedmont Lake
5 Pleasant Hill Lake
6 Vets Memorial Reservoir
7 Lima Lake
8 Upper Sandusky Reservoir #2
9 Caesar Creek Lake
10 Lake Milton