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LOCATION
Lake Rupert is located within the 1,298-acre Wellston Wildlife Area. This public area is in Clinton and Richland townships, Vinton County approximately one mile north of Hamden. Lake Rupert lies along State Route 683, one half mile north of the intersection with State Route 93.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Lake Rupert was built in 1969 as a cooperative effort of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the city of Wellston to provide a water supply for the city and general public recreation. In 1979, the ODNR Division of Wildlife received ownership of the area from the city. The topography includes gently rolling, reverting old fields and woodland. The lake encompasses 327 acres at normal pool with a shoreline length of nine miles. The maximum depth is 24 feet.
FISH OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Lake Rupert has populations of largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, and saugeye. The Division of Wildlife stocks channel catfish yearlings in alternate years; saugeye fingerlings are stocked annually. Gizzard shad is the main forage species.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
| Channel Catfish |
Poor
|
Poor
|
27.6
|
| Crappie |
Fair
|
Fair
|
10.2
|
| Largemouth Bass |
Excellent
|
Poor
|
22.1
|
| Saugeye |
Good
|
Fair
|
27.7
|
| Sunfish |
Fair
|
Fair
|
6.9
|
Fish Survey Report
| Type of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| Catfish |
7%
|
Excellent
|
Average
|
| Crappie |
22%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
Largemouth Bass and
Smallmouth Bass |
26%
|
Good
|
Average
|
| Saugeye |
5%
|
Fair
|
Average
|
| Sunfish |
3%
|
Excellent
|
Average
|
Angler Survey Report
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Better largemouth bass fishing can be found in the spring and fall. As springtime water temperatures warm up, bass will move into shallow water areas to feed and to prepare for spawning. Fish near shallow structure such as tree stumps, fallen trees, or weed bed edges. Spinnerbaits, rubber worms, crankbaits, and jig/pig combinations work well. Warm summer water temperatures will usually push fish into deeper depths. Fishing during the early morning hours or in the evening will provide better results. Cooler, fall temperatures will trigger bass to move back in the shallow water areas. Fishing success may pick up as bass prepare for winter.
Bluegill can be caught throughout the lake from early spring until fall. Popular methods include wax worms or redworms fished below a bobber. Look for spawning beds in shallow water during the spring and throughout the summer. Many bluegill concentrate in these areas.
Channel catfish angling picks up by mid-June. Night crawlers, chicken livers, or prepared catfish baits work well when fished on the bottom. Night fishing for catfish is a popular method for catfish anglers.
Saugeye fishing is best starting in fall and continuing through early spring. Rip-rap areas along the bank as well as main lake points are good areas to fish. Lead head jigs tipped with a twister, stickbaits, and crankbaits are popular with saugeye anglers in addition to live baits such as minnows.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
A boat ramp with courtesy dock is located off the State Route 683 entrance. Lake Rupert has a 10 horse power limit on outboard motors. However, larger outboard motors may be operated at no wake or idle-speed only. Parking areas are located on the east and west sides of the lake for shore anglers. Hunting is permissible throughout the wildlife area.
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. Applications are available online at FishOhio.org.
FISH MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
The Division of Wildlife’s fish management activities include stocking, population monitoring with nets, electrofishing surveys, angler surveys, felling trees, and preparing Christmas tree piles to act as fish attractors. Additionally, fish management personnel conduct general water quality analyses. A continuing check of water quality and fish populations is vital in determining the management practices necessary to produce quality fish for the public.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Questions and inquiries can be directed to Wildlife District Four, 360 East State Street, Athens, Ohio 45701; telephone 740-589-9930. 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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