LOCATION
Lake La Su An Wildlife Area lakes are located in Bridgewater and Northwest townships in the northwest corner of Williams County. The Fish Check station is located on Williams County Road R off SR 576. The area is 6 miles from Pioneer, 7 miles from Montpelier, 20 miles from Bryan, 41 miles from Defiance, 59 miles from Toledo and 86 miles from Findlay.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
The Lake La Su An Wildlife Area was acquired by the Division of Wildlife in the fall of 1981. The area has 13 small lakes and ponds from 1 to 82 acres. Most of the lakes were developed in the early 1960s as part of a complex called Dreamland Acres. Before state acquisition these lakes had very little fishing pressure and abundant populations of large sunfish. The Division of Wildlife developed an intensive management program to sustain a fishery for large sunfish, particularly bluegill. The area first opened to public fishing under this program in 1983.
FISHES OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS AND MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
Bluegill is the species of greatest interest to anglers. The Division of Wildlife manages lakes on the area to sustain a high harvest of bluegill longer than 8 inches. In most years anglers harvest 15,000 to 20,000 bluegill from area lakes and 40 to 50 percent are longer than 8 inches. These lakes also have redear and pumpkinseed sunfishes, and a few yellow perch. Largemouth bass is the top predator in these lakes. Largemouth bass are protected by a length limit which is an important part of the management program to develop large sunfish. Not many bass are taken home, but the ones that are harvested are trophies. It is not uncommon for bass anglers to catch 30 to 60 largemouth bass in a day.
FISHING FORECAST
Fish Survey Report
| Lake |
Type of Fish |
Overall
Numbers
|
Size |
Largest
(inches)
|
Lake La Su An
|
Largemouth Bass |
Excellent
|
Fair
|
20.4
|
| Sunfish |
Excellent |
Excellent |
10.7 |
| Lake Sue |
Largemouth Bass |
Good
|
Fair
|
20.0
|
| Sunfish |
Excellent |
Good |
10.7 |
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The open water season starts in May and runs through July. In the open water season, angling is permitted 4 days a week (Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Boat ramps are available on the 4 largest lakes. Boats and wading tubes may be used on any lakes that anglers can get them on. The lakes have a 10 horse power limit on outboard motors. However, larger outboard motors may be operated at no wake or idle-speed only on Lake La Su An. Restrooms and a handicapped accessible fishing pier are located on Lake La Su An.
For Youth Hunting information, contact the Wildlife District Two office at 419-424-5000.
FISH OHIO
The Lake La Su An Wildlife Area consistently leads the state for the highest number of award winning sunfish caught.
FISHING METHODS
No fish are allowed for bait in any of the area lakes. This regulation is critical to prevent the introduction of an unwanted species. Live baits such as night crawlers, crickets, wax worms are allowed. Many anglers enjoy fly fishing for the large bluegill.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This is a wildlife area so take precautions to protect yourself against ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects. Watch out for goose droppings on the boat ramps. Lake La Su An Wildlife Area is home to the federally threatened and state endangered, copperbelly water snake. The copperbelly water snake is a nonpoisonous snake found on the wildlife area lakes. The snake is secretive and not often seen.
A Lake La Su An Wildlife Area map is available.
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. |