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Raccoon Creek Reservoir Fishing Map
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LOCATION
Raccoon Creek Reservoir is located in southeastern Sandusky County on State Route 101. It is located in the southern part of Clyde.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Raccoon Creek Reservoir is an upground reservoir owned by the City of Clyde; water is supplied to the reservoir by transferring water from Beaver Creek Reservoir, which is located in Seneca County. Completed in 1950, it was built to provide water for municipal and recreational use. Raccoon Creek Reservoir has a surface area of 36 acres at maximum water level and a storage capacity of approximately 200 million gallons. Raccoon Creek Reservoir has a maximum depth of 26 feet, located in the west-central portion of the reservoir. The reservoir has a relatively flat bottom and an average depth of about 16 feet. Because of the high average depth and flat bottom, there is limited shallow water. Raccoon Creek Reservoir is open to public fishing through a cooperative agreement between the City of Clyde and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. No fisheries enhancement facilities were incorporated into this reservoir.
FISH OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
The Division of Wildlife stocks saugeye and channel catfish into Raccoon Creek Reservoir. Additionally, the reservoir has populations of yellow perch, bluegill, white crappie, and bullheads. Rock bass, green sunfish, suckers, and carp have been pumped into the reservoir from Raccoon Creek.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
| Channel Catfish |
Poor
|
Good
|
27.8
|
| Saugeye |
Poor
|
Fair
|
27.0
|
| Yellow Perch |
Good
|
Excellent
|
10.4
|
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
As a result of the uniformity of the reservoir bottom and the consistently deep water, only limited shallow water with cover and feeding areas are present; these are the limestone riprapped shorelines. Spring is a good time to fish for nearly all species. Spawning fish frequently come close to shore in the spring and can be caught by shore fishing. Boat fishing is usually the most effective method for any open water because you can fish over greater areas. Drift fishing or trolling shorelines near the bottom is effective for saugeye, yellow perch, bass, and channel catfish. When fish are not spawning locate them in deep water areas and troll or drift over them.
Bluegills concentrate around the outlet structures and in shallower water, especially where vegetation is present. Best baits to use are redworms or larval baits such as waxworms or mousies.
Saugeyes are present throughout the reservoir and can usually be taken on nightcrawlers or artificial lures; weighted spinners and worm combinations are the most productive. Saugeyes are usually caught around wave-washed shorelines in the spring and by drift fishing or trolling during summer and early fall.
Yellow perch are usually found in the same areas as saugeyes, although they seek the shoreline cover areas more often in late summer and fall. Best baits for open water fishing are minnows and worms.
Fishing for bullheads is usually best during the spring months. Live nightcrawlers are the best baits when fished on the earthen bottom of the reservoir, either from the shoreline or from boats.
Channel catfish fishing is usually best during late spring and summer. Although many channel cats are caught with bullhead fishing techniques, many large catfish are taken by drift fishing or balloon fishing with live nightcrawlers.
Ice fishing is allowed at your own risk. Avoid the outlet structure located on the northern shore of the lake. We recommend not fishing alone and take ice safety precautions. Bluegill and yellow perch are caught readily through the ice using larval baits such as mousies, waxworms, and wigglers on ice flies. Jigging spoons or ice lures are effective for saugeye. The secret to successful ice fishing is to move frequently from hole to hole until you locate fish.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Boats are allowed on the reservoir with electric motors only. The boat ramp and main parking area are located on the northeast corner of the reservoir off State Route 101. The boat ramp and parking areas are operated by the city of Clyde. Hunting is not allowed on Raccoon Creek Reservoir.
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
Fish management activities by the Ohio Division of Wildlife include stocking, fish population monitoring with sampling equipment, age and growth studies, angler harvest studies, and water quality analysis. These activities provide a continual check of water quality and fish population and a sound basis for management practices necessary to furnish quality public 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.
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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