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LOCATION
Lake LeComte is situated in northeast Hancock County, Washington Township, three miles southwest of Fostoria. It is approximately two miles south of State Route 12 and 3 miles north of State Route 224 on Hancock Country Road 23 and Washington Township Road 217.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Lake LeComte is an upground reservoir; water is obtained by pumping from the East Branch Portage River, which runs along the east side of the reservoir. It was completed in 1958, designed to provide water to the city of Fostoria.
Lake LeComte has a surface area of 137 acres at maximum water level and a storage capacity of approximately 736 million gallons. The bottom is relatively flat with depths ranging from 6 to 25 feet. Its maximum depth of 25 feet is located near the eastern shoreline, with an average depth of 18 feet.
FISH OF INTEREST TO THE ANGLER
Lake LeComte has populations of bluegill, black and white crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, and brown bullhead. The Division of Wildlife has stocked yellow perch, saugeye, and channel catfish. Gizzard shad is the main forage species.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
| Channel Catfish |
Fair
|
Good
|
23.3
|
| Crappie |
Fair
|
Good
|
10.8
|
| Largemouth Bass |
Fair
|
Poor
|
17.4
|
| Saugeye |
Excellent
|
Fair
|
24.5
|
| Smallmouth Bass |
Excellent |
Poor |
16.7 |
| Sunfish |
Poor
|
Fair
|
6.6
|
White Bass
|
Fair
|
Good
|
23.3
|
Yellow Perch
|
Fair |
Good |
9.1 |
Fish Survey Report
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Ice fishing is allowed at your own risk. Ice fishing is frequently good at Lake LeComte for saugeye, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish. Ice fishing for saugeye is good especially in the deeper water of the reservoir. Jigging spoons or ice lures are effective for saugeye and channel catfish. A live minnow fished through the ice is also effective for saugeye. Bluegill and crappie are caught readily through the ice using larval baits such as mousies, waxworms, and wigglers on ice flies. The secret to successful ice fishing is to move frequently from hole to hole until you locate fish. Avoid the inlet and outlet pipes located in the northeast corner of the lake. We recommend not fishing alone and take ice safety precautions.
Spring is a good time to fish for nearly all species. Spawning fish frequently come close to shore in the spring and can be caught by shore fishing. Boat fishing is usually the most effective method for any open water because you can fish over greater areas. Drift fishing or trolling shorelines near the bottom is effective for saugeye, yellow perch, bass, and channel catfish. When fish are not spawning, locate them in deep water areas and troll or drift over them.
Saugeye can usually be caught on minnows, deep running lures, weighted spinners tipped with a worm or a worm harness with a nightcrawler. Saugeye are frequently caught on the wave-washed shorelines in April using jigs tipped with twister tails, tube baits, nightcrawlers, or leeches. During summer and fall, drift fishing or trolling deep-water areas and fishing shoreline at night can be effective.
White bass are generally found in schools throughout the lake and they frequently feed near the surface in open water or along the shoreline, especially during the summer evenings. They are taken on minnows and crayfish. Boat fishermen also have good success trolling or casting.
Channel catfish fishing is usually best during late spring and summer. Live nightcrawlers and cut bait are the best baits when fishing on the earthen bottoms either from shoreline or from a boat. Channel catfish are sometimes caught while ice fishing for saugeye.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Boats are allowed on the reservoir, with a 9.9 hp motor restriction. The boat ramp and main parking area is on the northwest corner of the reservoir off Washington Township Road 217. Another parking area is located on the east side of the reservoir off Hancock County Road 23. Handicapped accessible parking is located near the boat ramp. The boat ramp and parking areas are operated by the city.
Waterfowl hunting is permitted on the lake. Permits are available at the Fostoria Municipal Building, 310 Municipal Building, Fostoria, Ohio 44830; telephone (419) 435-8282.
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.
FISH MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
Fish management activities by the Ohio Division of Wildlife include stocking, fish population monitoring with sampling equipment, age and growth studies, angler harvest studies, and water quality analysis. These activities provide a continual check of water quality and fish population and a sound basis for management practices necessary to furnish quality public fishing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The nearest district office is Wildlife District Two, 952 Lima Ave., Findlay, Ohio 45840; telephone (419) 424-5000. To get other maps or publications call toll free 1-800 WILDLIFE.
TURN IN A POACHER
Ohio’s TIP, “Turn In a Poacher,” program is helping 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
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