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LOCATION
Seneca Lake is in eastern Ohio, mostly in Noble County, with a small northern portion in Guernsey County. The dam is located 2 miles east of Senecaville on State Route 313 and 12 miles southeast of Cambridge via Interstate 77 and State Route 313.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Seneca Lake dam was built across the valley of Seneca Fork of Wills Creek by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1938 for flood control and recreation. It was opened to fishing in 1940, but due to highway relocation the lake did not reach conservation pool until March 1942.
The lake is in the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District's chain of lakes and all boating, swimming, camping, and picnicking is under MWCD control. The Division of Wildlife annually leases public fishing and hunting rights on MWCD lakes and lands.
Seneca Lake, the largest of the MWCD lakes, has 3,509 surface acres of water and 45 miles of shoreline.
FISHES OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Seneca Lake contains excellent populations of largemouth bass, crappies, bluegills, bullheads, channel catfish, and saugeye. The lake is stocked with saugeye and striped bass by the Division of Wildlife.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
| Channel Catfish |
Excellent
|
Good
|
29.3
|
| Crappie |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
13.6
|
| Largemouth Bass |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
23.0
|
| Saugeye |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
28.3
|
| Smallmouth Bass |
Poor |
|
18.5 |
| Sunfish |
Fair
|
Excellent
|
7.8
|
White Bass
|
Good
|
Excellent
|
15.0
|
Fish Survey Report
| Type of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| Catfish |
7%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
| Crappie |
5%
|
Good
|
Average
|
Largemouth Bass and
Smallmouth Bass |
32%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
| Saugeye |
29%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
| Sunfish |
0%
|
Good
|
Low
|
White Bass
|
3%
|
Good
|
Average
|
Angler Survey Report
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Largemouth bass fishing begins on early warm March days in the shallow coves close to deep water. Live nightcrawlers are especially effective. Later, as the water temperature warms into the 60s, the shallow bays should be fished with artificial nightcrawlers and spinners. Cadillac Bay and the upper portions of the lake in the lily pads, especially the bays off State Route 147, should be productive. During the summer, the shore should be worked during early morning and evening hours with topwater plugs and artificial nightcrawlers. During the day, long sloping points should be fished with spinners, bottom bouncing lures, or deep-diving plugs. Dropoffs, old road beds, and old creek channels are also good.
Striped bass can be caught using live shad or large shad style baits. The area around the dam up to the big island is the best area to catch them. There is a 26 inch length limit with a daily bag limit of 1.
White bass fishing can be very good in the spring. Good fishing locations include any main lake point and by the dam.
Seneca Lake has a good crappie population. The use of minnows and small jigs around brushy shorelines or fallen tree-tops should produce action during April, May, and June.
Bluegills can be taken over the entire lake by live bait fishermen using worms or by fly fishermen using small poppers and rubber spiders.
Good fishing for channel catfish and bullheads can also be experienced. The use of nightcrawlers, shrimp, chicken liver, or prepared catfish bait fished on the bottom at night is recommended. The designated trotline area in the upper end of the lake is worth trying.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Boat launching facilities, food, gasoline, and boat and motor rentals are available from the concessionaire off State Route 313. Camping by special MWCD permit is also nearby.
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 ODNR Division of Wildlife include stocking, monitoring the adult fish population, installing fish habitat structures, and conducting studies to determine spawning success, survival, and growth of important game species.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The nearest district office is located at Wildlife District Four, 360 East State Street, Athens, Ohio 45701, telephone 740/589-9930. Horsepower limits and other boating regulations are subject to change. Contact the ODNR Division of Wildlife for the most current information.
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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