|
|
|
New! Learn about the blue catfish stocking efforts at Dillon Lake.
LOCATION
This recreational area lies 6 miles northwest of Zanesville, off State Route 146; it may be reached by driving southeast from Newark on State Route 16 to State Route 146.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Dillon Lake was constructed primarily for flood control purposes, encompassing 748 square miles of watershed. The area includes 1,376 acres of water and 5,345 acres of land, of which 4,400 acres are open for public hunting. Development and management is carried out jointly by the Corps of Engineers and the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation and Division of Wildlife.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
Comments |
| Channel Catfish |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
28.7
|
Blue catfish were stocked in 2010. Some of those fish can be caught in the lake, but most have moved downstream to the Licking and Muskingum Rivers. |
| Crappie |
Good
|
Excellent
|
13.2
|
|
Hybrid Striped Bass
|
Excellent
|
Fair
|
24.3
|
First stocked in 2006, the hybrid striped bass take advantage of the large numbers of gizzard shad in the lake. |
| Largemouth Bass |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
22.1
|
|
| Saugeye |
Poor
|
Fair
|
20.8
|
Saugeye are no longer stocked, but a few may still be caught. |
Smallmouth Bass
|
Fair |
Poor |
9.7 |
|
Sunfish
|
Good
|
Excellent
|
7.6
|
|
Fish Survey Report
| Types of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| Catfish |
11%
|
Good
|
Average
|
| Crappie |
6%
|
Good
|
Average
|
| Hybrid Striped Bass |
2%
|
Good |
Average |
Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass
|
43%
|
Good
|
High
|
| Saugeye |
0%
|
Poor
|
Low
|
| Sunfish |
3%
|
Good
|
Low
|
Angler Survey Report
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Successful bluegill and crappie anglers use live bait. In spring and early summer, the shallow bays and brushy shorelines are productive. Best crappie fishing is generally found where fallen trees are submerged. Drift fishing with minnows is recommended to locate schools of crappies in late summer and fall.
Largemouth bass fishing is best in spring, with peak fishing during May. Casting shorelines with medium and deep running lures and artificial worms is the best method. The Big Run and Poverty Run embayment areas are best.
Bullheads and carp may be taken in the upper third of the lake with worms and dough balls. Bow hunters enjoy excellent carp shooting in the backwater and marsh areas in the vicinity of the Irville boat launching ramp.
The tailwater of Dillon Lake produces top-notch fishing throughout the year. Largemouth bass, crappies, hybrid striped bass and catfish are caught in great numbers. Twister tail jigs tipped with a monnow or night crawler work well for largemouth bass. Crappies and catfish are best caught by using live bait along the brushlined shore where the water is less swift.
Shovelhead and channel catfish are caught on suckers, small bluegills, and worms in summer and fall. Best fishing for all species is usually when the river is on the rise.
WILDLIFE
The Dillon area supports good populations of cottontail rabbit. Fox and gray squirrels also occur, with fox squirrels more numerous. Ruffed grouse and white-tailed deer are also present.
Populations of woodchuck and raccoon are generally high, and these animals are heavily hunted. Red and gray fox, opossum, and skunk are also common, but not heavily hunted or trapped. The principal aquatic furbearer is the muskrat. A few mink are also present.
The Dillon area provides good habitat for waterfowl. The lake attracts a number of Canada geese annually, offering the sportsman an opportunity to bag this magnificent species.
Standard wildlife management practices are the development, maintenance, and improvement of field borders and edges, development of food patches, and use of cropping techniques and patterns that leave prescribed quantities of standing crops and waste grain fields after harvest. A map of Dillon Wildlife Area is available.
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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The nearest district office is located at Wildlife District Four, 360 East State Street, Athens, Ohio 45701; telephone (740) 589-9930. Camping information may be obtained from Dillon State Park, 5265 Dillon Hills Drive, P.O. Box 126, Nashport, Ohio 43830; phone (740) 453-4377.
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Major Sportfish
Life Histories |
|
|
|
|