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LOCATION
Buckeye Lake is in Fairfield, Licking, and Perry counties, approximately 23 miles east of downtown Columbus, 9 miles south of Newark, and 22 miles west of Zanesville. The lake is accessible from State Routes 79, 13, and 204.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Buckeye Lake is one of Ohio's oldest impoundments. It was constructed about 1830 primarily to provide water for the extensive canal system being constructed throughout the state at that time. During initial impoundment, one 50-acre area along the north side of the lake, now called Cranberry Bog, rose with the rising water and became a floating bog. It remains as a state nature preserve today. With the rapid demise of the canals shortly after its impoundment, Buckeye Lake survives today as a popular recreational lake of 2,873 acres with a drainage area of 31,488 acres.
Buckeye Lake has an average depth of about 6 feet with a maximum depth of about 14 feet. It has a relatively flat bottom without much underwater woody cover.
FISHES OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Buckeye Lake has populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, white bass, and carp. Fish stocked annually in Buckeye Lake include fingerling saugeye and hybrid striped bass. Gizzard shad is the main forage species.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
Fishing Tips/Comments |
| Channel Catfish |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
28.0
|
|
| Crappie |
Fair
|
Good
|
13.0
|
|
| Hybrid Striped Bass |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
26.4
|
No hybrid striped bass were stocked in 2009 or 2010. However, the 2008 year classs was very strong.
|
| Largemouth Bass |
Poor
|
Excellent
|
20.3
|
|
| Saugeye |
Excellent
|
Good
|
25.3
|
|
| Sunfish |
Poor
|
Excellent
|
8.5
|
|
Fish Survey Report
| Types of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| Catfish |
21%
|
Good
|
High
|
| Crappie |
11%
|
Fair
|
High
|
Hybrid Striped Bass
|
3%
|
Fair
|
High
|
Largemouth Bass
|
12%
|
Poor
|
High
|
| Saugeye |
11%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
| Sunfish |
3%
|
Fair
|
High
|
Angler Survey Report
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Largemouth bass are taken throughout the lake particularly around docks. Buckeye Lake is considered a good "early" lake to fish for largemouth bass because it warms rapidly in the spring due to its shallowness. Bluegill fishing is good especially in the vegetated portions of the lake. Try fishing prepared baits, nightcrawlers, or soft crawfish lakewide in June and July for channel catfish. Saugeye are taken throughout the year including through the ice. The winter months are often highly productive. Use a jig tipped with a minnow fished near or on the bottom. Another productive method to catch saugeye is to cast or troll 4-6" minnow imitations or shallow running crankbaits. Hybrid striped bass are caught throughout the lake using chicken livers fished on the bottom or by using minnow imitating lures.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The Division of Parks and Recreation operates and maintains parking lots, boat ramps and docks, swimming beaches, and picnic areas. There are no horsepower restrictions for boats.
Note: Horsepower limits and other boating regulations are subject to change. Boaters should contact the ODNR Division of Wildlife for current information.
FISH OHIO
Anglers who catch a 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 requirement 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 include stocking, conducting angler creel surveys, constructing fishing piers, renovating boat ramps and parking areas, and monitoring fish 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 Wildlife District One, 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215 telephone 614/644-3925. To get other maps or publications call toll free 1-800-WILDLIFE.
For information on state park facilities at Buckeye Lake, contact Buckeye Lake State Park, P.O. Box 488, Millersport, Ohio 43046 telephone 740/467-2690.
TURN IN A POACHER
Ohio's TIP, "Turn In a Poacher," program is helping to curtail 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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Major Sportfish
Life Histories |
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