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LOCATION
Lima Lake is located in the Ottawa Metro Park, which is part of the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District. The park is located east of the city of Lima. From I-75 take Exit 127 (State Route 81) and head east approximately 1.5 miles to the Ottawa Metro Park entrance (2632 Ada Road).
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Lima Lake was built in 1903 by the city of Lima for use as a municipal water supply. In 1991, control of the lake was handed over to the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District. The Ottawa Metro Park opened in 1997. Today Lima Lake is managed solely for recreation.
Lima Lake has a surface area of 88 acres. The bottom is relatively flat with depths ranging from 3 to 15 feet.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND FISHES OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Fishing is permitted with a valid Ohio fishing license. Good populations of bluegill, yellow perch, saugeye, white bass, crappie, and channel catfish can be found in the lake.
In the fall Lima Lake is stocked with rainbow trout (10 to 13 inches).
Ice fishing is permitted at your own risk.
Boats are permitted on Lima Lake. The use of gasoline motors is prohibited. The lake has an accessible boat ramp, and fishing dock.
Many other recreational opportunities are available in the Ottawa Metro Park.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
| Channel Catfish |
Fair
|
Excellent
|
27.2
|
| Crappie |
Poor
|
Poor
|
7.6
|
| Largemouth Bass |
Poor
|
Fair
|
18.9
|
| Saugeye |
Good
|
Excellent
|
22.6
|
| Smallmouth Bass |
Good |
Fair |
13.4 |
| Sunfish |
Good
|
Poor
|
6.8
|
White Bass
|
Poor
|
Poor
|
13.5
|
| Yellow Perch |
Poor |
Poor |
5.7 |
Fish Survey Report
| Type of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| Catfish |
11%
|
Fair
|
Low
|
| Crappie |
2%
|
Poor
|
Average
|
Largemouth Bass and
Smallmouth Bass |
2%
|
Poor
|
Low
|
| Saugeye |
17%
|
Good
|
Average
|
| Sunfish |
4%
|
Fair
|
Low
|
Yelow Perch
|
0%
|
Excellent
|
Low
|
Angler Survey Report
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 at Lima Lake are developed using information collected from fish population surveys. Fish populations are monitored under the Inland Fisheries Management System using standardized survey techniques. Information on angler success is obtained through angler input and angler harvest surveys. Past fish management activities have included fish stocking, harvest regulations, age and growth studies, water quality analysis, and habitat improvement to produce quality fishing.
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
The key to fishing success is to locate the fish! Boat anglers are typically more successful because they are able to cover more area. Try fishing off the floating dock, around submerged timber and along the edge of submerged weed beds as fish tend to congregate around structure. Bluegill will bite on a variety of baits including earthworms, wax worms, and crickets. Crappie and white bass are usually caught using small minnows or jigs. Yellow perch can be caught on minnows, red worms, and wax worms. Channel catfish can be caught tight lining using a variety of baits such as nightcrawlers, minnows, shrimp, and prepared stink baits. Saugeye can be caught on minnows, artificial lures, and nightcrawler harnesses. Drifting or trolling a night crawler harness is effective during summer for saugeye. In early spring, fall, and winter, try using jigs tipped with minnows. For more information on fishing methods visit the “Go Fish” page.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The nearest district office is Wildlife District Two, 952 Lima Avenue, Findlay, Ohio 45840; telephone (419) 424-5000. Other lake maps and publications can be obtained by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE. They can also be downloaded from the Division of Wildlife Web site at (wildohio.com).
For information on rules and regulations concerning Lima Lake contact: Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District at 2355 Ada Road, Lima, OH 45801, telephone (419) 221-1232, email: jampd@jampd.com. Information is also available on the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District website at (www.jampd.com).
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.
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