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LOCATION
Lake Loramie is located in Shelby and Auglaize counties in west central Ohio. The lake is located two miles southeast of Minster on State Route 362, and six miles west of Anna on State Route 119.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Lake Loramie was formed by impounding Loramie Creek and was completed in 1844. The lake served as a water supply for the Miami-Erie canal system, an important transportation route between Lake Erie and the Ohio River during the 19th century. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks & Recreation has maintained the lake as a state park since 1949.
Most of the lake is less than six feet deep with a soft bottom of silt. In some areas, 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. Significant beds of water lily and American lotus in shallow shoreline areas provide excellent habitat for largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappies.
FISHES OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Largemouth bass, white and black crappies, bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish, saugeye, channel catfish, 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 |
Excellent
|
Fair
|
23.1
|
|
| Crappie |
Good
|
Fair
|
12.8
|
Spring and fall are best seasons. Fish around the boat docks, lily pads, and brushy shorelines. |
| Largemouth Bass |
Poor
|
Poor
|
17.9
|
|
| Saugeye |
Good
|
Fair
|
20.1
|
Best fishing in the tailwaters is from February through May after high flows. Cast jigs with twister tails. Late fall and winter fishing (including ice-fishing) is productive near Luthman Road bridge. |
| Sunfish |
Fair
|
Good
|
7.9
|
Fish rip-rapped shorelines, and around boat docks and lily pads. |
Fish Survey Report
| Types of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| Catfish |
15%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
| Crappie |
29%
|
Fair
|
High
|
Largemouth Bass
|
25%
|
Good
|
Average
|
| Saugeye |
2%
|
Poor
|
Average
|
| Sunfish |
8%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
Angler Survey Report
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Crappies are taken throughout the lake by fishing around shoreline brush, fallen trees, boat docks, and lily pads. Live minnows, wax worms, or small jigs with plastic bodies are good baits. Largemouth bass are taken along rip rap shorelines or near shoreline brush, boat docks, and lily pads using spinner baits, crank baits, jigs, plastic baits, and live night crawlers. Bluegills can be taken around shoreline structure and lily pads using red worms or wax worms on small hooks. Channel catfish are taken by bottom fishing with night crawlers, chicken liver, shrimp, or cut fish bait. The best bullhead fishing occurs in the spring using red worms or night crawlers fished near the bottom. Saugeye can be taken with lead head jigs and plastic curly tails, crank baits, live minnows, or live night crawler rigs. The tailwater below the spillway is a productive saugeye location, especially from November though April during periods of high water flows. The deeper water areas adjacent to the Luthman Road bridge also provide saugeye fishing in late fall and winter, including ice fishing when conditions permit.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The Division of Parks & Recreation operates and maintains six boat ramps, seasonal rental docks, a swimming beach, picnic areas and picnic shelters (some shelters can be reserved), a handicap accessible shoreline fishing pier, and a campground. The Class A campground offers 166 campsites with electricity, Rent-a-Camp, cedar cabins, flush toilets, showers, a trailer waste dump station, a nature center, bike rentals, miniature golf, and a boat ramp.
FISH OHIO
Anglers who catch big fish should enter their prize catch 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 saugeye fishery is maintained by annual stockings of saugeye 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 Lake Loramie State Park, 4401 Ft. Loramie Swanders Rd., Minster, Ohio 45865; telephone (937) 295-2011.
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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