LOCATION
Nettle Lake is located in Williams County on CR 4.75 off of SR 49, 2 miles northeast of Cooney. The public boat ramp is located on the southwest corner of the lake off of CR 4.75.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
The lake is one of only a handful of natural lakes formed by glaciers as they moved through Ohio. It is an on-stream lake with Nettle Creek flowing into and out of the lake. Nettle Lake has 115 acres of fishing water and 3.8 miles of shoreline. The majority of the shoreline is privately owned limiting public shoreline access. Maximum depth is 27 feet with several areas that are over 20 feet deep. The bottom consists mainly of mud and silt, with some areas of sand and rock.
FISHES OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Nettle Lake has populations of bluegill, black and white crappie, largemouth bass, and channel catfish.
FISHING FORECAST
Fish Survey Report
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
| Crappie |
Good
|
Good
|
9.3
|
| Largemouth Bass |
Good
|
Excellent
|
21.9
|
| Sunfish |
Good
|
Excellent
|
7.5
|
| Type of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| Catfish |
4%
|
Excellent
|
Low
|
| Crappie |
29%
|
Excellent
|
Average
|
Largemouth Bass
|
11%
|
Fair
|
Low
|
| Sunfish |
42%
|
Fair
|
Average
|
Angler Survey Report
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Lily pads and fallen trees along the shoreline provide the best fishing areas. There are many private boat docks along the shoreline. Anglers cannot get on the docks without permission; however, they may fish under and alongside the docks from boats without permission. Crappie and largemouth bass are frequently caught under these docks. Fishing with minnows in the spring in the emerging lily pads should produce good catches of crappies. Largemouth bass can be caught on a variety of artificial lures including spinner baits, crank baits, and rubber worms. Tight lining with night crawlers is a good method to catch channel catfish with a variety of baits such as night crawlers, minnows, bluegill, and prepared stink baits.
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 are planned using information collected from studies of fish populations in Nettle Lake and angler success. Fish populations are monitored under the Inland Fish Management System where fish populations are surveyed using standardized techniques. Nettle Lake is surveyed at least once every six years. Information on angler success is obtained through angler input and angler surveys. These activities are vital in determining our management activities. Past fish management activities have included fish stocking, harvest regulations, and habitat improvement to produce quality 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.
Nettle Lake has unique watercraft regulations that are posted on the lake. Nettle Lake has no horsepower restrictions; however, there is a No Wake Rule (power boaters must operate at idle speed) between the hours of 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. From 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., there are no speed restrictions for power boaters.
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 hotline, 1-800-POACHER.
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