TYCOON LAKE
"Tycoon Lake reigns as an annual powerhouse for trophy bass in southeastern Ohio," said Dave Bright, a fisheries management biologist for District Four.

"This lake basin covers 204 acres and is equivalent to a highly productive farm pond. Our electro-shocking surveys have consistently yielded good numbers of black bass representing many year-classes. Tycoon offers a good opportunity for anglers seeking trophy-class bass."

The 18-inch minimum size limit has really paid off, said Bright. Anglers can score big largemouths out of the shoreline trees lying in the water along the central part of the west and north banks. Concrete blocks have been placed in 9 feet of water about 20 feet out from the floating fishing pier on the east side of the lake south of the boat ramp.

Tycoon Lake is in Gallia County. Only electric motors are allowed.

The lake lies between state routes 325 and 554, five miles northeast of Rio Grande. The ramp for smaller boats is off township Road 21 west of the dam and where county Road 17 runs north to the lake. Access from state Route 325 is via Eagle Road. From state Route 554, access is off township Road 20 (Vaughn Road) and county Road 17 (Tycoon Road).

Tycoon Lake is 18 miles from Gallipolis and 52 miles from Chillicothe.

For more information and a map showing fish concentration devices, contact the ODOW's District Four office at (740) 589-9930.

LAKE RUPERT
This 322-acre lake in the Wellston Wildlife Area in Vinton County is a real sleeper. Since 1990, a 12- to 15-inch protected slot limit has been in effect.

"Electro-shocking surveys have shown multiple year-classes of largemouth bass available in good numbers and of high quality. Individual bass over 8 pounds have been collected during the surveys," said Bright.

By May, spawning largemouths have moved out of the warming bays and will tend to hold off sloping points and near any submerged cover they can find. The narrow bay extending from the mid-lake eastward holds largemouths all spring. Casting spinners into the lily pads in the north end is also worthwhile. This is a good lake for plastic worms as well.

At various times, a few hundred Christmas trees have been sunk in the lake and can attract early-spring panfish -- which in turn draw in the bucketmouths. A boat ramp is on the west shore.

Lake Rupert is a mile north of Hamden along state Route 683 a half mile north of the intersection with state Route 93. The lake is 75 miles from Columbus and 30 miles from Chillicothe.

The ODOW's District Four office at (740) 589-9930 in Athens can provide more information.

SENECA LAKE
The productivity of the waters within many of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District lakes is well-known among fisheries managers in Ohio. One of these, Seneca Lake, has all the traits of a high-quality bass fishery.

"Seneca Lake is one of our top black bass fisheries in District Four," said Bright. "Recent electro-shocking studies revealed numerous fish from 7 to 20-plus inches in length. Growth rates are above average thanks to ideal conditions in the lake, and a 15-inch minimum size limit is in effect to maximize the lake's potential."