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Paint Creek Lake Fishing Map |
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LOCATION
Paint Creek Lake is situated 10 miles east of Hillsboro, 1 mile north of U.S. 50 on Rapid Forge Road, and 5 miles south of Greenfield on State Route 753.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Paint Creek Lake is a flood control and recreation reservoir of 1,190 surface acres and 30 miles of shoreline constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The lake is a mainstream impoundment of Paint Creek in the Highland and Ross County portion of the Scioto River Drainage basin, and drains an area of 753 square miles. Dam construction began in 1967. Water was impounded in March 1974 and attained normal summer pool elevation by May 1974.
The dam is 118 feet high and 800 feet long. The spillway section of the dam structure contains three 57- by 37-foot tainter gates to permit additional flood control. The maximum water depth at the dam is 50-feet. The control tower on the upstream side of the dam has two 71/2 - by 501/2 -foot service gates to allow the water to pass through a conduit under the dam. Two low flow intakes, one at the 26-foot level and one at the 5-foot level, allow mixing of water at various temperatures so that the water which is released downstream will remain at normal temperatures with sufficient dissolved oxygen for the aquatic life.
The shoreline of the main body in the southern part of the lake is steep, with sheer limestone bluffs, and drops off rapidly to 30 feet of water. The limestone cliffs are prominent on the east side of the lake and up into the Paint Creek arm. The west side (Rattlesnake Creek Arm) is shallow and less steep. There are areas in the lake where trees and brush were not removed prior to impoundment. Along the shoreline, stumpy areas, large limestone rocks, and fallen trees provide cover for several species of fish.
FISHES OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, white bass, white and black crappies, bluegills, saugeye, channel and flathead catfish, sunfish, suckers, and carp are found in the lake. Gizzard shad is the primary forage species for predators.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
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Size |
Largest
(inches) |
Fishing Tips/Comments |
| Channel Catfish |
Excellent
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Good
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30.1
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| Crappie |
Excellent
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Good |
12.6
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March through May best around shorelines with rocky or woody cover. Black crappie are much more abundant than white crappie. |
| Largemouth Bass |
Good
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Good
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19.3
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Try around abundant rocky shorelines and standing timber. Kentucky spotted bass and smallmouth bass are also present in smaller numbers.
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| Saugeye |
Fair
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Poor
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19.9
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The tailwaters below the dam is an extremely productive area. Use light-weight jigs with tweister tails, or try a live minnow under a bobber. Very few saugeye are caught in the lake. |
| Sunfish |
Fair
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Fair
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7.8
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Fish with small jigs or wax worms under sliding bobbers near standing timber or along rocky shorelines.
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Fish Survey Report
| Types of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| Catfish |
8%
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Good
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High
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| Crappie |
34%
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Good
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High
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Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass and Kentucky Bass
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33%
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Good
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High
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| Sunfish |
4%
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Excellent
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Average
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Angler Survey Report
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Crappies are taken throughout the lake by fishing in the brush or in the tops of fallen trees. Live minnows, small jigs, and small spinners are good baits. Largemouth , smallmouth, and spotted bass are taken along the shoreline - around stumps, logs, and large limestone rocks - by casting spinner baits, crank baits, and artificial worms. Fishing with live worms, minnows, and crayfish around cover is also productive. Bluegills can be taken with redworms or wax worms on small hooks. White bass are taken by casting or trolling curly tail jigs, spinners or small crankbaits. In the lake, saugeye can be taken by casting jigs tipped with night crawlers or minnows, and casting or trolling silver crankbaits. The tailwaters below the dam are the best location for catching saugeye. From September - May, saugeye are taken by casting lightweight jigs with plastic curly tails. Lots of channel catfish are taken in the tailwaters using night crawlers, chicken livers, shrimp, or cut bait.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The ODNR Division of Parks and Recreation operates and maintains three boat ramps, a marina with rental boats, seasonal rental docks, and a concession; a swimming beach, picnic areas, hiking, mountain biking, and bridle trails and a campground. The Class A campground offers 196 campsites with electricity, camper cabins, and rent-a-yurt sites, flush toilets, showers, a trailer waste dump station, a concession, and a nature center.
FISH OHIO
Anglers who catch 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 requirements set for the Fish Ohio program. Applications are available online at FishOhio.org.
FISH MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
Prior to impoundment, some areas of trees and brush were left standing. Large limestone rocks were placed along the east shoreline near the dam area to provide additional fish habitat. Several low-level rock dams were constructed below the dam to improve the tailwater fishery.
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. Maps of Paint Creek Lake Wildlife Area and Paint Creek State Park are available.
For information on state park facilities, contact Rocky Fork State Park, 9800 North Shore Drive, Hillsboro, OH 45133, or call 937-393-4284.
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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Major Sportfish
Life Histories |
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