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LOCATION
Grand Lake St. Marys is located in west central Ohio. The city of St. Marys is located near the northeast corner of the lake and Celina is on the northwest corner. State Routes 29, 364, and 703 provide access on the north side of the lake; State Route 364 on the east; State Routes 219 and 703 on the south; and US Route 127 on the west.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Grand Lake St. Marys was constructed from 1837 – 1845 to store water for the Miami-Erie Canal. Two earthen dams were built on the headwaters of two major drainage systems flooding the area between them. The spillway on the west end discharges water into the Wabash and Ohio River drainage systems; water from the east end spillway flows into the St. Marys River, and from there into the Maumee River and Lake Erie. The lake covers approximately 12,680 acres and is Ohio’s largest inland lake entirely within state borders.
Most of the lake is less than 7 feet deep with a soft bottom of silt. Some isolated areas of sandy or clay bottoms exist where wave action keeps the bottom cleaner. Lots of rock rip rap has been added to reduce shoreline erosion; these rocky shorelines provide cover for several species of fish. Numerous boat docks, shoreline brush, and fallen trees provide cover for fish.
The lake is approximately 9 miles long and 3 miles wide. The prevailing westerly winds commonly create whitecaps; strong winds can create dangerous wave conditions. Small boat operators should exercise extreme caution when traveling across the lake.
FISHES OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Largemouth bass, white and black crappies, bluegills, walleye, channel and flathead catfish, yellow perch, bullheads, carp, and suckers are found in the lake. Gizzard shad is the primary forage species for predators.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
Fishing Tips/Comments |
| Channel Catfish |
Fair
|
Fair
|
25.3
|
|
| Crappie |
Fair
|
Good
|
12.6
|
March, April, October, and November are the best months for crappie. Fish the brushy shorelines or around boat docks using small jigs or minnows. |
| Largemouth Bass |
Poor
|
Excellent
|
19.2
|
Good areas include rip-rapped shorelines and around boat docks. |
| Sunfish |
Fair
|
Good
|
8.7
|
Fish wax worms, redworms, or small jigs around shoreline brush and boat docks. Good numbers of 6-7.5 inch 'gills |
Fish Survey Report
| Types of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| Catfish |
35%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
| Crappie |
14%
|
Poor
|
High
|
Largemouth Bass
|
25%
|
Poor
|
High
|
| Sunfish |
1%
|
Fair
|
Average
|
Angler Survey Report
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Crappies are taken throughout the lake by fishing around shoreline brush, fallen trees, or around boat docks. Live minnows or small jigs with plastic bodies are good baits. Largemouth bass are taken along rip rap shorelines or near shoreline brush and boat docks using spinner baits, crank baits, jigs, plastic baits, and live night crawlers. Bluegills can be taken around shoreline structure using red worms or wax worms on small hooks. For bass, bluegills, and crappies, the numerous tributaries and boat channels along the south shore are popular locations. Channel catfish are taken by bottom fishing with night crawlers, chicken liver, shrimp, or cut fish bait. Flathead catfish are usually caught while bottom fishing with large live bait, such as chubs, bluegill, or green sunfish. The best bullhead fishing occurs in the spring using red worms or night crawlers fished near the bottom. Walleye can be taken with lead head jigs and plastic curly tails, live night crawler rigs, or crank baits. The tailwater below the West Bank spillway is a productive walleye location. Yellow perch are caught using live minnows or red worms fished near the bottom. Ice fishing can be productive for crappies, bluegills, and perch.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The ODNR Division of Parks & Recreation operates and maintains 7 boat ramps, a marina with rental boats, seasonal rental docks, two swimming beaches, picnic areas and picnic shelters (some shelters can be reserved), handicap accessible shoreline fishing piers, and a campground. The Class A campground offers 204 campsites with electricity, camper cabins, cedar cabins, flush toilets, showers, a trailer waste dump station, a nature center, and a boat ramp with overnight courtesy docks.
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
Fish management activities by the Division of Wildlife include monitoring the fish populations with sampling equipment and studying water quality. The walleye fishery is maintained by annual stockings of walleye fingerlings.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The nearest district office is located at Wildlife District Five, 1076 Old Springfield Pike, Xenia, Ohio 45385; telephone (937) 372-9261. To get other maps or publications call toll free 1-800-WILDLIFE.
For information on state park facilities, contact Grand Lake St. Marys State Park, 834 Edgewater Dr., St. Marys, Ohio 45885; telephone (419) 394-3611.
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. |