LOCATION
East Fork Lake is situated off SR 222, two miles south of Batavia and 25 miles east of Cincinnati. Access to the north side of the lake is from Batavia-Williamsburg Rd. (old OH 32). Access to the south side is from SR 125.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
East Fork Lake was built to provide flood control in the East Fork and lower Little Miami River valleys; storage for water supply and water quality control; and recreation, including fishing and hunting. The lake was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and leased to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Construction of the dam began in July 1970 and a partial pool was impounded during the 1978 season. The lake was raised to normal pool of 1,971 acres in spring 1979, and has 32.3 miles of shoreline. The earthen fill dam is 200 feet high and 1,450 feet long. Water release is controlled by a series of multi-level gates in the outlet structure, providing control of the water quality in the tailwater. The lake drains an area of 342 square miles. An emergency spillway was cut through a ridge on the west side of the dam, and a stone-covered dike was constructed on the north side of the dam.
East Fork Lake is an impoundment of the East Fork of the Little Miami River and two small feeder creeks, Poplar and Cloverlick creeks. Water depth at the dam is normally 113 feet, making it the second deepest lake in Ohio. The shoreline of the lake is steep and rocky in most areas, falling off rapidly into deep water. Both large and small bays containing standing timber and brush are evident around the lake. The upper reaches of Cloverlick and Poplar creeks, along with the main stem, were left uncleared to provide fish habitat.
FISHES OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
East Fork Lake has populations of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, Kentucky spotted bass, bluegill, white and black crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, bigmouth buffalofish, and carp. Hybrid striped bass are stocked annually. Gizzard shad is the main forage species.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
Fishing Tips/Comments |
| Channel Catfish |
Good
|
Poor
|
25.6
|
The upper end of the lake where the two main creeks enter can be productive, especially after recent rains. |
| Crappie |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
13.0
|
In spring, fish the bays with standing timber. Late fall fishing can be excellent, sometimes in 10-25 foot depths. |
| Hybrid Striped Bass |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
24.9
|
Live 3-6 inch shad are a great bait in summer. Watch for surface activity when hybrid stripers attack schools of gizzard shad; be prepared to cast large jigs, spoons, or crankbaits.
|
| Largemouth Bass |
Good
|
Excellent
|
18.9
|
Try rocky shorelines and standing timber coves. Fair numbers of Kentucky spotted bass are also present. User deeper water presentations for spotter bass. |
| Muskellunge |
|
|
|
First stocked in 2008. In 2011, anglers should catch some 30-33 inch fish. |
| Sunfish |
Good
|
Fair
|
7.4
|
|
Fish Survey Report
| Types of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| Catfish |
8%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
| Crappie |
31%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
Hybrid Striped Bass
|
6%
|
Good
|
High
|
Largemouth Bass and Kentucky Spotted Bass
|
28%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
| Muskie |
0%
|
Poor
|
Low
|
| Sunfish |
3%
|
Good
|
Average
|
Angler Survey Report
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Crappies are found throughout the lake and can be taken in the spring along rocky shorelines and near standing timber or fallen trees. Use live minnows, wax worms, or small plastic body jigs for crappies. Bluegills are taken on red worms and wax worms in summer around cover (stumps, brush, and trees), sometimes as deep as 12-18 feet. Bass can be taken from spring through fall by casting crankbaits, jigs, plastic lures, and live night crawlers near shoreline cover, dropoffs, and bays with flooded timber. Hybrid striped bass can be found in the open water areas of the lake throughout the year or in the upper end of the main tributary during spring. Live bait for hybrid stripers includes chicken liver, night crawlers, or live shad; lures include jigs, crankbaits, and heavy spoons. During summer and fall, look for and cast into surface activity when hybrid stripers chase schools of shad. Channel and flathead catfish can be caught throughout the lake using chicken livers, cut shad, and large live chubs or sunfish.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The six public boat ramps are named as follows: Dam, Tate (a.k.a. Bantam), North Shore, Reisinger Road (a.k.a. Bethel), Campground, and Tunnel Mill. East Fork State Park offers a modern campground, horseman’s camping, cedar cabins, camper cabins, swimming beaches, picnic areas, shelter houses, horse riding trails, hiking and backpacking trails, and mountain bike trails. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provides parking and fishing access to the tailwater area below the dam. A map of East Fork Wildlife Area is available.
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
Extensive habitat work prior to impoundment resulted in an abundance of fish habitat in the lake. Trees were left standing in most bays and along the main tributary channel. Stumps of three to five feet were left standing in zones along the shoreline throughout the lake.
Fish management activities by the ODNR Division of Wildlife include extensive monitoring of the fish community, stocking, and conducting studies to determine spawning success, survival, and growth of important game species.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The nearest district office is located at Wildlife District Five, 1076 Old Springfield Pike, Xenia, OH 45385; telephone 937/372-9261. Horsepower limits and other boating regulations are subject to change. Contact the ODNR Division of Wildlife for the most current information.
For information about camping and other state park facilities, contact East Fork State Park, 3294 Elklick Rd., Bethel, OH 45106; telephone 513/734-4323.
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.