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LOCATION
Clark Lake is situated in Clark County, approximately 8 miles east of Springfield, northeast of Harmony, off U.S. Route 40.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Clark Lake is a headwater impoundment of Sinking Creek in the Great Miami River watershed. The Clark Lake watershed comprises approximately 4,384 acres, of which 80 percent is agricultural land and 8 percent woodlots. Construction of the earthen fill dam on Sinking Creek began in 1956 and was completed in January 1958. The valve was closed on March 12, 1958, and the lake was completely filled by April 30, 1958. The lake was built by the ODNR Division of Wildlife as a federal aid Dingell-Johnson Project for recreational purposes.
Clark Lake is shallow, with a maximum depth of about 6 feet near the dam. The lake bottom is underlain with a substrate of clay, sand, and gravel. The sand and gravel beds precluded deepening of the lake prior to impoundment. A large portion of the lake bottom is very sandy, especially in the southern half. The coves on the eastern side of the lake are shallow and are usually heavily vegetated.
FISHES OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Major sport fish species include largemouth bass, bluegill, white crappie, channel catfish, and bullhead catfish. Carp and suckers are also found in the lake. Catchable size rainbow trout are stocked each spring (usually early to mid-March).
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
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Size |
Largest
(inches) |
Fishing Tips/Comments |
Channel Catfish
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Fair numbers of 1-3 pound channel catfish are caught. |
| Crappie |
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Crappie are present, but most are small. A few big crappie are usually caught in the early spring. |
| Largemouth Bass |
Fair
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Fair
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20.7
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| Sunfish |
Poor
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Fair
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6.8
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Most bluegills are less than 6 inches |
Rainbow Trout
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Over 2,000 catchable size rainbow trout are stocked in March or April |
Fish Survey Report
| Types of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
Catfish
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14%
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Excellent
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Average
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| Crappie |
10%
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Good
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Average
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Largemouth Bass
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5%
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Poor
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Low
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| Sunfish |
5%
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Fair
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Low
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Angler Survey Report
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Largemouth bass are taken on diving and surface lures, plastic worms, and live worms fished around fallen trees and stumps and near aquatic vegetation along the shoreline and fishing piers. Bluegills can be taken with redworms, wax worms, or mealworms around stumps and logs, near aquatic vegetation, and along the fishing piers. Fly fishermen use wet flies, popping bugs, and rubber spiders for bluegills. In the winter, when safe ice is present, fishermen can catch bluegills by using ice flies and wax worms. Crappies can be taken in the spring around stumps and logs and along the fishing piers with live minnows or jigs with twister tails. Night crawlers are the best bait for catching bullheads along the fishing piers. Channel catfish are taken on night crawlers, shrimp, and chicken livers fished on the bottom. Trout fishermen use small spinners, jigs with plastic twister tails, worms, and prepared scent baits.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The Division of Wildlife provides and maintains parking areas, a boat ramp, and a latrine. A 10 horsepower motor restriction is enforced on the lake.
FISH OHIO
Anglers who catch big fish should enter their prize in the Fish Ohio angler recognition program. A fish qualifies for an award if it meets the minimum size requirements set for the Fish Ohio program. Applications are available online at FishOhio.org.
FISH MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
The Division of Wildlife's fish management activities include stocking, installing fish habitat structures, constructing fishing piers, controlling aquatic vegetation, and monitoring fish populations with nets, seines, and electrofishing gear. The lake was drained in fall 1964 and restocked the following spring. These activities are vital to determine the management practices necessary to produce high quality fishing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The nearest district office is located at Wildlife District Five, 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 control 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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Major Sportfish
Life Histories |
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