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LOCATION
Cowan Lake is in Clinton County, approximately 7 miles southwest of Wilmington, 35 miles southeast of Dayton, and 40 miles northeast of Cincinnati. The lake is accessible from U.S. Route 68 and State Routes 350 and 730.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Cowan Lake was impounded by constructing a dam on Cowan Creek in 1950. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation constructed this 692-acre lake for recreation. The lake is in the Little Miami River watershed and has a drainage area of 32,640 acres.
Cowan Lake has a maximum depth of 42 feet, with much of the water ranging from 10 to 25 feet deep. Prior to impoundment, the present lake bottom was mainly pastured fields. Several tree stumps were left standing in various areas during lake construction. Some standing trees remain in the upper end of the lake near the mouth of Cowan Creek.
FISHES OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Cowan Lake has good populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, white crappie, saugeye, channel catfish, muskellunge, bullhead, and carp. A few Kentucky spotted bass are also present. Saugeye are stocked on an annual basis. Gizzard shad are the main forage species in the lake.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
Fishing Tips/Comments |
Channel Catfish
|
Good |
Good |
30.7
|
|
| Crappie |
Excellent |
Fair |
13.8
|
Lots of 7-8 inch fish, with fair numbers of 9-11 inch crappies. |
| Largemouth Bass |
Fair
|
Good
|
20.6
|
|
| Saugeye |
Good
|
Fair
|
23.0
|
Troll crankbaits or bottom bounce with minnows or night crawler rigs. |
| Sunfish |
Fair
|
Good
|
7.5
|
Fish around boat docks and lily pads using small jigs or, red worms, or wax worms. In 2008, the average length of bluegills kept by anglers was 6.9 inches. |
White Bass
|
Good |
Good |
15.6
|
|
Fish Survey Report
| Types of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
Catfish
|
5%
|
Fair
|
High
|
| Crappie |
38%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
Largemouth Bass
|
20%
|
Poor
|
High
|
| Saugeye |
1%
|
Fair
|
Average
|
| Sunfish |
2%
|
Good
|
Average
|
White Bass
|
1%
|
Poor
|
Low
|
Angler Survey Report
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Largemouth bass are taken on diving and surface lures, plastic worms, and live worms around fallen trees on the south shore, near aquatic vegetation in the upper end of the lake, and in the bays along the north shore. Saugeyes are taken on plastic grub jigs tipped with a piece of worm near mainlake points and shallow areas adjacent to deep water. Other productive saugeye techniques include drifting with a bottom-bouncing night crawler or minnow rig, as well as casting or trolling silver-colored diving lures. Bluegill fishermen using redworms, wax worms, and mealworms continue to have good catches from the fishing piers, around aquatic vegetation in the upper end, and in the bays. Live minnows and plastic grub jigs have proven to be the best baits for crappies near the dam, around fallen trees or aquatic vegetation, and in the bays. Muskies are taken by casting or trolling large plugs along points and dropoffs. Excellent catches of channel catfish and bullhead are taken on nightcrawlers, chicken liver, and cut baits near the dam and along the south shore. Tailwater fishing can be productive for channel catfish, crappies, saugeye, and muskies.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The Division of Parks and Recreation operates and maintains parking lots, launch ramps, a boat rental, boat dock, bait concession, swimming beaches, picnic areas, hiking trails, campgrounds, and cabins. Campgrounds provide drinking water, wastewater drains, flush toilets, shower facilities, trailer waste dump stations, and picnic tables. A 10-horsepower limit on outboard motors is enforced on the lake.
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 Division of Wildlife's fish management activities include stocking, regulating fishing, installing fish habitat structures, conducting creel surveys, constructing fishing piers, and monitoring populations with nets, seines, and electroshocking gear. These activities are vital to providing adequate public access and determining the management practices that are 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 more information about the state park, contact Cowan Lake State Park, 1750 Osborn Road, Wilmington, Ohio 45177; telephone (937) 382-1096.
Horsepower limits and other boating regulations are subject to change. Contact the Division of Wildlife for the most current information.
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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