Findlay Reservoir No. 2, in Fulton County, is one of two water supply reservoirs for the city of Findlay. Findlay No. 2 is an upground reservoir and has no natural water supply. Furthermore, there are very few well-defined areas of structure where catfish might congregate.

When the reservoirs are low, water from the Blanchard River is pumped into Findlay No. 2 and later distributed among both of them as needed.

According to biologist Wilkerson, when water is being pumped into Findlay No. 2, the channel catfish turn on -- at least along the northern dike. The reservoir is filled on an "as needed" basis, and there is no way of telling in advance when that will happen.

Most of the bank is open for shore access, and fish can be caught just about anywhere. Channel cats up to 30 inches are not unusual here.

Boaters should note that on Findlay No. 2, a 10-horsepower motor limit is in effect. Access is off state Route 37 and county roads 205 and 234, three miles southeast of Findlay.

For more information on Findlay Reservoir No. 2, call the ODOW's District Two headquarters at (419) 424-5000.

DISTRICT THREE
Tuscarawas River
The Tuscarawas River is a vastly overlooked catfish hotspot in District Three, at least according to district fisheries biologist Matt Ward.

"The river is home to channel catfish in the 3- to 5-pound range," he said. "Bigger fish are present, though." The flatheads in the river are typically small and do not garner much attention.

According to Ward, the best catfishing opportunities are from the Tuscarawas boat launch upstream. But good angling can also be found downstream.

"The fishing seems to be pretty good along the whole river," he said.

One hotspot is north of Gnadenhutten, where state Route 416 and U.S. Route 36 intersect. The large pool above a steep, sloping section of river is one of the more popular fishing areas throughout the summer. As always, outside river bends, feeding flats near deep holes and large timber piles are good areas to target.

For more information on the Tuscarawas River's catfishing opportunities, contact the ODOW's Wildlife District Three Headquarters at (330) 644-2293.

Tappan Lake Tappan Lake, a 2,350-acre reservoir in Harrison County, is another catfish hotspot that's been often outshined by other lakes in the district.

According to Ward, the lake is teeming with opportunities for both flathead and channel catfish anglers.

"Though the channel catfishery is good, it's the flatheads that achieve the most acclaim here," he noted.

Fish in the 30 plus-pound range are not uncommon at this honeyhole. In fall 2006, ODOW biologists shocked up one monster after another while sampling other fisheries.

"Most of the bigger fish were in shallow water near deep-water haunts," noted biologist Ward. "Such areas seem to be the best places to target from June through October."

Tappan Lake is easy to access. U.S. Route 250 parallels the lake, and access areas are abundant.

The motor limit on Tappan is 120 horsepower. For more data on Tappan Lake or to request lake maps, call the ODOW's District Three headquarters at (330) 644-2293.