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LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
Caesar Creek Lake Wildlife Area is located in southwestern Ohio, at the junction of Clinton, Greene and Warren counties. State Route 73 bisects the reservoir and crosses Corwin-New Burlington Road which provides access to the wildlife area from the south. Lumberton-New Burlington and Mound Roads reach the area from the southeast. In Greene County, Cemetery, Roxanna-New Burlington, and St. Rt. 380 provide access from the north and west. Clarksville and Oregonia Roads provide access from the south.
The 3,100-acre wildlife area lies scattered at Caesar Creek Lake, a flood control reservoir operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In summer, the reservoir is normally 2,830 acres. During periods of heavy rainfall, the reservoir covers portions of the normally dry wildlife area. Caesar Creek State Park, 7,086 acres, is on both sides of the reservoir.
Meadow and grain crops cover about 50 percent of the wildlife area and woodlands make up about 40 percent. The remainder is reverting fields--a mixture of shrubs, small trees, grasses, and forbs.
HISTORY AND PURPOSE
Caesar Creek was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control and recreation. It was completed in 1977. Of the 10,186 acres licensed to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, 3,100 acres are managed by the Division of Wildlife for public hunting and fishing. The Division of Parks and Recreation manages 7,086 acres for general recreation, and issues waterfowl hunting blind location permits on the reservoir for the waterfowl season. Some areas within the park lands are closed to hunting.
Wildlife area habitat management work has included development of crop rotations and field sizes to provide food and cover for upland wildlife. Wildlife habitat has been enhanced by planting trees and shrubs to establish field dividers, improving existing fencerows through selective cutting, and protecting and improving woodlands.
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Whitetail deer, pheasant, dove, turkey, cottontail rabbit, fox and gray squirrel, and bobwhite quail are the major game species. Waterfowl are most common during migration. Common furbearers are raccoon, opossum, muskrat, mink, weasel, skunk, red fox, and gray fox. A variety of songbirds can be found on the area. Largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappies, walleye, bluegill, catfish, sunfish, suckers, and carp occur in the lake.
HUNTING, TRAPPING, AND FISHING
Caesar Creek is very popular for hunting rabbits and pheasants which are found throughout the area. Squirrel hunting is best for gray squirrels in the larger stands of mature woodland and for fox squirrels in the smaller woodlots, along the streams, and in woody fencerows. Woodchucks abound on the area. Deer and turkey hunting is good throughout the area. Waterfowl hunting is available on the reservoir, the streams around the reservoir, and in ponds and wetlands. Designated dove hunting fields are established on an annual basis.
Trapping is most productive around the ponds and wetlands, and along the streams running into the reservoir.
The headwaters north of the reservoir are productive for largemouth bass, saugeye, and catfish, and have become very popular for the annual spring white bass run. Good fishing is found throughout the lake in coves with stumps and standing trees. A hydrographic fishing map (Publication 285) for Caesar Creek Lake is available.
WATCHABLE WILDLIFE
Restored wetlands and prairies attract waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, and birds of prey. Caesar Creek Lake is home to gulls, terns, herons, and shorebirds. Trail maps and viewing guides are available. Visitors may see grassland-dependent birds such as grasshopper sparrows, savannah sparrows, and Eastern meadowlarks at the wetland-prairie complex located on Clarksville Road.
PUBLIC USE FACILITIES
Parking areas are distributed throughout the wildlife area. Several boat launching areas in the state park provide access to the reservoir. A dog training area is located at the end of Scott Road; dog training is permitted all year, only in the posted unit.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Further information may be obtained weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday from the Spring Valley Wildlife Area Headquarters, 1863 Roxanna New Burlington Road, Waynesville, Ohio 45068; telephone (937) 488-3115 or from the Wildlife District Five Office, 1076 Old Springfield Pike, Xenia, Ohio 45385; telephone (937) 372-9261.
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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