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LOCATION
Pleasant Hill Reservoir is located on the Richland-Ashland County line, approximately 2 miles southwest of Perrysville. The boat ramp and marina are on Covert Road off State Route 95. The marina is north of the Mohican State Park.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) owns Pleasant Hill Reservoir. The reservoir was constructed in 1938 by damming the Clear Fork Branch of the Mohican River. The reservoir was originally constructed primarily for flood control in the Muskingum River watershed. Today, recreation is one of the biggest public benefits. The ODNR Division of Wildlife manages the reservoir under agreement to provide public fishing and hunting.
The Clear Fork River empties into the western end of the reservoir. This western end of the lake is shallow with most of the area under less than 10 feet of water. The middle section of the lake gradually slopes to a depth of 20 feet. At that point the lake makes a sharp bend to the south, and the basin changes to a steep-sided, deep, gorge-shape with a maximum depth of 35 feet.
The portion of the lake that runs from west to east is shallower and warmer. The bottom of that part of the lake is composed of mud (clay and silt), except along the shorelines where wave action has exposed sand and small gravel. The lower portion of the reservoir, running north to the south, is deeper, slightly cooler, and has larger boulders along the shoreline. Vegetation is confined to the shoreline of the western end of the impoundment, and is controlled by water clarity. The transparency of the water varies from about 6 inches in the springtime to 4 feet later in the season, when the sediment has settled.
FISHES OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Pleasant Hill Reservoir has populations of bluegill, black and white crappie, rock bass, saugeye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, brown bullhead, black bullhead, and channel catfish. Occasionally, muskellunge that travel down to Pleasant Hill from Clear Fork Reservoir are caught. Saugeye are stocked annually by the Division of Wildlife. Gizzard shad is the main forage species.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
| Channel Catfish |
Fair
|
Excellent
|
28.3
|
| Crappie |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
16.7
|
| Largemouth Bass |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
20.9
|
| Saugeye |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
26.9
|
| Smallmouth Bass |
Excellent |
Excellent |
17.9 |
| Sunfish |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
8.6
|
White Bass
|
Good
|
Excellent
|
16.1
|
Fish Survey Report
| Type of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| Catfish |
4%
|
Good
|
Average
|
| Crappie |
16%
|
Fair
|
High
|
Largemouth Bass and
Smallmouth Bass |
24%
|
Excellent
|
Average
|
| Muskellunge |
2% |
Poor |
Average |
| Saugeye |
17%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
| Sunfish |
5%
|
Fair
|
Average
|
White Bass
|
2%
|
Fair
|
Low
|
| Yellow Perch |
1%
|
Excellent |
Average |
Angler Survey Report
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Popular spots for angling are along the rocky ledge on the southern shore near the bend in the impoundment, and the small coves along the southern neck of the reservoir. Bass, bluegill, crappie, and saugeye are caught in these areas.
Panfish angling is generally done towards the western end along the gradually sloping southern shore during the springtime and towards the eastern end during the summer. Most anglers use conventional methods fishing live bait under a bobber.
Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass may be caught with live baits such as worms, soft crayfish, and minnows. Trolling with jointed deep-running lures near the rock ledge area or in the bay west of the camping area can be an effective way of catching bass. Stump casting for bass can be effective using deep running lures or plastic worms on the lower end of the reservoir, or plastic worms and shallower running lures on the upper end of the lake. Fishing top water lures after dark during the summer can be very effective in catching bass. Smallmouth bass are usually caught in the deeper, lower end of the reservoir and more largemouth bass are caught in the shallower upper end of the lake.
When fishing for saugeye, try trolling a jointed 2 1/2-inch, 1/4-ounce, lure about 10 to 15 feet deep. To get your lure to that depth you may need to attach a weight followed by a 6-foot leader with your lure attached to the end of the leader. Saugeye fishing is also good just off the beach area in 10 to 15 feet of water. Try fishing that area at night with a jig tipped with a live minnow fished near the bottom.
White bass make a spawning run up the Clear Fork River in the spring and they can provide a lot of action and good eating. Most white bass are caught on live minnows or small jigs tipped with twister tails or tube baits.
Bullheads and channel catfish are usually fished for by tight-lining with worms or other baits. When fishing tight-lined, a weight with a single hook is cast out. The weight lies on the bottom of the lake with the line pulled taut to the reel, on a rod resting in the fork of a twig set upright in the earth. The clicker on the reel is set to give notice of a strike. Carp may be taken with worms or doughball bait on a "tight line."
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy operates and maintains the recreational facilities located on the north side of the reservoir. A beach, vacation cottages, marina, campground, parking area, picnic area, sanitary facilities, and boat ramp are located on the northern shore of the reservoir. The marina has a concession stand and gasoline dock. The Mohican State Park is located on the southern shore of the reservoir and provides numerous recreational opportunities on and around the Pleasant Hill Reservoir. Mohican State Park operates a lodge overlooking the southern shore in the bend of the reservoir. There is both primitive and improved camping in the state park, south of the reservoir, on the Clear Fork River. For information of Mohican State Park facilities, contact 419/994-4290. The reservoir is also open to waterfowl hunting during the fall.
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 ODNR Division of Wildlife's fish management activities are based on angler surveys and monitoring fish populations. These activities are vital in determining the management actions, such as stocking, harvest regulations, and habitat improvement, to produce quality fishing.
WILDLIFE AND HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES
A variety on wildlife may be seen on or near the reservoir. Waterfowl frequent the reservoir in the fall and spring. Bald eagles and ospreys may be sighted at the reservoir. We ask that any sightings of eagles or ospreys be reported to the local wildlife officer at 419/429-8392. Public hunting is allowed on and near the reservoir on Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District property. Contact the MWCD park office, 419/938-7884 for details on hunting opportunities.
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.
For more information on the MWCD facilities contact the Park Superintendent, 3431 SR 95, Perrysville, Ohio 44864; telephone 419/938-7884.
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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