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LOCATION
Knox Lake is located about 1½ miles northeast of Fredericktown and can be accessed via State Route 95. The marina and main boat ramp are located on the lower section of the reservoir along Armentrout Road. Other boat ramps are located off County Road 5 in the upper section of the reservoir.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Knox Lake was built by the ODNR Division of Wildlife in 1954. The reservoir, created by damming the Kokosing River, was built primarily for recreation. The reservoir is 469 acres in size and has 11.4 miles of shoreline. Maximum depth is over 24 feet near the dam, although much of the water is 12 feet or less. Bottom composition is made up of rock and gravel in the lower section and mud and silt in the upper section. The upper section of the reservoir was purposely left full of standing timber to provide natural cover to enhance fishing. In the lower basin trees have been felled along the shoreline to provide additional cover.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The Division of Wildlife maintains the parking lots, picnic areas, boat ramps, docks and rental boat slips. The reservoir has a 10 horse power limit on outboard motors. However, larger outboard motors may be operated at no wake or idle-speed only. The diverse bottom composition and cover from stumps and fallen trees provide excellent habitat for a number of sport fish. Knox Lake consistently ranks as one of the premier largemouth bass fisheries in central Ohio. Channel catfish are stocked periodically, and the crappie, and bluegill also provide excellent fishing opportunities for anglers.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
| Crappie |
Good
|
Fair
|
10.5
|
| Largemouth Bass |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
21.1
|
| Sunfish |
Good
|
Good
|
7.9
|
Fish Survey Report
| Type of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| Catfish |
12%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
| Crappie |
9%
|
Good
|
High
|
Largemouth Bass
|
40%
|
Good
|
High
|
| Sunfish |
3%
|
Good
|
Average
|
Angler Survey Report
FISH OHIO
Anglers who catch a 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 requirement set for the Fish Ohio program. Applications are available online at FishOhio.org.
FISH MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
The ODNR Division of Wildlife’s fish management activities include stocking, conducting angler creel surveys, constructing fishing piers, renovating boat ramps and parking areas, and monitoring fish populations with nets, seines, and electrofishing gear. These activities are vital to providing adequate public access and determining the management practices necessary to produce good quality fishing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The nearest district office is Wildlife District One, 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215 telephone 614-644-3925. To get other maps or publications call toll free 1-800-WILDLIFE.
TURN IN A POACHER
Ohio’s TIP, “Turn In a Poacher,” program is helping to curtail 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. |