A free permit is required to fish or camp on the AEP ReCreation Land. To obtain it, write the American Electric Power Company, P. O. Box 328, McConnelsville, OH 43756.

For additional information on the bass-fishing opportunities in southeastern Ohio, write the ODOW’s Wildlife District Four office, 360 East State Street, Athens, OH 45701; or call (740) 589-9930.

The northeastern sector of the Buckeye State is noted for having plenty of lakes with big bass, including the Portage Lake system and LaDue Reservoir.

WILDLIFE
DISTRICT FIVE
Careful management of bass in the ODOW’s District Five has resulted in several lakes that hold both good size and numbers of fish, according to fish management supervisor Doug Maloney. He referred to studies and surveys conducted on lakes such as Acton, Cowan and Rocky Fork.

The 625-acre Acton Lake is in Butler and Preble counties approximately 40 miles northwest of Cincinnati. In March 1990, a 15-inch length limit went into effect in an effort to improve the bass fishery.

Since that time, the results have proven the effectiveness of the regulation. Anglers are reporting a steady catch of bigger fish and a plentiful supply of smaller stock.

“Acton is one of the top bass lakes in Ohio,” said Maloney.

“Its bass population continues to remain strong.”

Acton Lake lies approximately midway between Cincinnati and Dayton and is accessible from state routes 177, 732 and 725. It has a 10-horsepower limit and an average depth of 12 feet, with a maximum depth of 30 feet.

The 692-acre Cowan Lake is in Clinton County about seven miles southwest of Wilmington. Cowan averages about 18 feet in depth and has a maximum depth of around 42 feet, making this one of the deeper lakes in the region. A 15-inch length limit is in effect at Cowan Lake. Many of its bass are in the 12- to 15-inch range, with fish up to 5 pounds caught on occasion.

A 10-horsepower motor limit is in effect on the lake, which may be accessed from state routes 730 and 68.

Another District Five bass lake that has come on strong for bass fishing is Highland County’s Rocky Fork Lake. This recreational lake covers over 2,000 acres and averages 12 feet in depth. It is an unlimited-horsepower lake with an excellent population of largemouth bass.

“Rocky Fork Lake has been a hard one to beat in recent years,” said Maloney. “The sampling we do at Rocky Fork may not be quite as good as Acton, but it is almost as good.”

Rocky Fork may be accessed from U.S. Route 50 and state routes 124 and 753.

For more information on the bass-fishing opportunities in southwestern Ohio, contact the ODOW’s Wildlife District Five office, 1076 Old Springfield Pike, Xenia, OH 45385; or call (937) 372-9261.

When it comes to bass fishing, Ohio is second to no other state in the Midwest. And 2008 is shaping up to be yet another good year for largemouth bass fishing.

During the summer months of 2007, drought conditions settled over many parts of the Buckeye State, which resulted in lower water levels. Even so, anglers -- especially tournament competitors -- reported that for those who study the habitat and adapt to the conditions, the fish were out there.

Regardless of species, weather is always a factor. But hot, extremely dry conditions often require spending more time fishing at night.

For overall information on the bass management and bass-fishing opportunities in the Buckeye State, contact the ODOW’s headquarters, 2045 Morse Road, Columbus, OH 43229-6693; or call (614) 265-6300.

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