Finding just the right mix of fun and good fishing for the annual family vacation week can be tricky. Luckily, Ohio's vacationing families have so many great options to choose from that everybody is guaranteed to have a good time. Fishing opportunities, family-friendly lodging, miles of hiking trails, historical sites and places to play and swim are plentiful in the Buckeye State.

Throw in the chance to explore caves, ride trains and learn more about the old horse-drawn canal boats, and what more could a family want?

Here's a roundup of some excellent family fishing vacation destinations to explore with your brood in 2009:

PAINT CREEK VALLEY
The Paint Creek region of Ohio is unique in many ways. The area lies at the very edge of the Appalachian Plateau and marks the divide between the hills of eastern Ohio and the flatter western portion of the state. Glacial activity here was not as common as in other parts of Ohio, but did leave behind a 75-foot gorge, which blooms with an extremely rare wildflower. Excellent fishing holes, family-friendly campgrounds, miles of hiking trails and interesting artifacts are all part of the vacation experience in the Paint Creek Valley.

Paint Creek State Park in Bainbridge is an excellent base camp for the ultimate family fishing vacation. The park has 197 campsites with electrical hookups. The campground has flush toilets, hot showers and laundry facilities. Two cabins are also available for rent complete with TV-VCR, microwave, refrigerator and gas fireplace. Pets are allowed on select sites.

Anglers at Paint Creek Lake can look forward to plentiful bass and crappies. The tailwaters of Paint Creek Lake are also good for saugeyes. The lake is also home to white bass, catfish and bluegills.

This lake was built for flood control, and water levels in the lake and tail waters can vary greatly, especially after heavy rains.

Call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at (937) 365-1167 to hear a recording of current lake and tail water conditions.

Boat rentals are available at the marina. Three launch ramps provide easy lake access. There's a sand beach for swimming in the park, a camp store, plus basketball, volleyball and horseshoe courts. Mini golf is available on-site for a small fee.

The park's nature center has displays of native wildlife and fish. The park features four hiking trails ranging from .75 mile to 2.5 miles long. There are also 12 miles of mountain bike trails. Rock climbing is allowed along Harmony Trail and at Spillway Wall.

Contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at (937) 365-1470 for climbing information.

For camping information, call (866) 644-6727 or visit www. ohiodnr.com/parks/.

Or, stay at nearby Pike Lake State Park, 1847 Pike Lake Road in Bainbridge. The campground here has 112 sites, 80 with electricity. The campground has latrines, tables, fire rings and a camp store. There are also rental cabins. Pets are allowed on select sites.

The camp store offers rowboat, canoe, pedal boat and kayak rentals. Only non-powered boats and electric motors up to 4.5 horsepower are allowed here.

Pike Lake was drained a few years ago and then restocked. Anglers can now expect to find good numbers of bass, bluegills and channel cats.