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LOCATION
Acton Lake lies in Preble and Butler counties on the southwestern edge of Ohio, approximately 7 miles north of Oxford, 40 miles northwest of Cincinnati, and 35 miles southwest of Dayton. This lake is accessible by State Routes 177, 732, and 725 and U.S. Route 27.
HISTORY
A dam was constructed on Four Mile Creek at the Hueston Woods Park area in 1956. It impounded 590 acres of water which was named Acton Lake in honor of State Representative Cloyd B. Acton from Eaton, Ohio. Hueston Woods has an interesting history dating back to the Indian fighting days of Anthony Wayne. Mathew Hueston, an associate of Anthony Wayne, bought land in Preble and Butler counties after the Indian resistance was over. He and his ancestors preserved 200 acres of the forest lands through the years until 1940, when it was taken over by the State of Ohio. The original parcel has been increased to 3,524 acres and is now know as Hueston Woods State Park.
FISH OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Acton Lake has good populations of largemouth bass, bluegills, white crappie, saugeye, channel catfish, bullheads, and carp. Saugeye are stocked on an annual basis. Gizzard Shad is the main forage species.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
Fishing Tips/Comments |
| Channel Catfish |
Good
|
Excellent
|
31.9
|
In early spring, fish upper end of lake where the creek enters. |
| Crappie |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
13.5
|
A 9-inch minimum size limit and 30 daily bag limit is in effect. Fish near shallow woody cover in April-May, and 10-15 foot depths later in the year. |
| Largemouth Bass |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
20.8
|
A 15-inch minimum size limit is in effect |
| Saugeye |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
23.8
|
A 15-inch minimum size limit is in effect starting March 1, 2011.
Try trolling crankbaits, casting blade baits or jigs with twister tails, or bottom bouncing with a live minnow or night crawler. |
| Sunfish |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
7.9
|
Try 5-12 foot depths near cover on the east side. |
Fish Survey Report
Angler Survey Report
| Types of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| Catfish |
12%
|
Good
|
High
|
| Crappie |
25%
|
Good
|
High
|
| Largemouth Bass |
26%
|
Good
|
High
|
| Saugeye |
5%
|
Good
|
Average
|
| Sunfish |
10%
|
Fair
|
High
|
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Largemouth bass are taken on both diving and surface lures, plastic worms, jigs, and live worms around fallen trees and along rocky shorelines. Bluegill anglers using redworms and wax worms have good catches around fallen trees and along drop-offs. Live minnows and small plastic grub jigs are good for crappies near the shoreline brush and fallen trees, and along steep shorelines with submerged cover. Excellent catches of channel catfish and bullheads are taken on night crawlers, soft craws, chicken livers, and cut baits in the upper end, along the eastern shore, and near the dam.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The Division of Parks and Recreation operates and maintains parking lots, boat ramps and rental docks, concessions, swimming beaches, picnic areas, hiking trails, bike trails, horse trails and a stable, a nature center, a lodge, vacation cottages, and a campground. Campgrounds provide electric and non-electric sites along with drinking water, flush toilets, shower facilities, trailer waste dump stations, and picnic tables. There is a 10 horsepower restriction for boats. Horsepower limits and other boating regulations are subject to change. Contact the ODNR Division of Wildlife for the most current information.
FISH OHIO
Anglers who catch big fish should enter their prize in the Fish Ohio angler recognition program. A fish qualifies for an award if it meets the minimum size requirements set for the Fish Ohio program. Applications are available online at FishOhio.org.
FISH MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
The ODNR Division of Wildlife's fish management activities have included stocking, installing fish habitat structures, conducting creel surveys, constructing fishing piers, and monitoring populations with nets, seines, and electrofishing gear. These activities are vital to providing adequate public access and determining the management practices necessary to produce quality fishing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The nearest district office is located at Wildlife District Five, 1076 Old Springfield Pike, Xenia, Ohio 45385, telephone 937/372-9261.
For information of state park facilities, contact Hueston Woods State Park, 6301 Park Office Road, College Corner, Ohio 45003; telephone (513) 523-6347.
TURN IN A POACHER
Ohio’s TIP, “Turn In a Poacher,” program is helping to control poaching throughout the state. TIP is designed to involve the public in reporting wildlife violations. Citizens who observe wildlife violations should call the TIP toll-free hotline, 1-800-POACHER. |
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