|
|
|
Outhwaite Reservoir Fishing Map
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOCATION
Outhwaite Reservoir is situated in central Crawford County, 2 miles northeast of Bucyrus on State Route 98.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Outhwaite is an upground reservoir; water is obtained by pumping from the Sandusky River, which is south of the reservoir. The reservoir was completed and filled in 1983, designed to provide water to the city of Bucyrus, low-flow stream augmentation to the Sandusky River, and water for agricultural use and recreation.
Outhwaite has a surface area of 148 acres at maximum water level and a storage capacity of approximately 1.2 billion gallons. Outhwaite was built with structural modifications to increase the production and harvest of fish, including spawning shelves and rock reefs. The bottom is relatively flat. Its maximum depth of 43 feet is located in the southwestern portion of the lake, and it has an average depth of approximately 23 feet.
FISH OF INTEREST TO THE ANGLER
Outhwaite has populations of yellow perch, bluegill, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bullheads, white bass, and rock bass. The Division of Wildlife has stocked saugeye and channel catfish.
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Spring normally produces the best fishing for nearly all species. Spawning fish frequently come close to shore in the spring and can be caught by shore fishing. Since Outhwaite is a deep upground, live bait and deep running artificial lures give good results, especially around the rock reefs. Boat fishing is usually the most effective method as you can fish over greater areas, and drift fishing or trolling near the bottom for saugeye, yellow perch, bullheads, and channel catfish can be effective.
Saugeye can usually be caught on minnows, deep running lures, weighted spinners tipped with a worm or a worm harness with a nightcrawler. Saugeye are frequently caught on the wave-washed shorelines in April using jigs tipped with twister tails, tube baits, nightcrawlers or leeches. During summer and fall, drift fishing or trolling deep-water areas and fishing shoreline at night can also be effective.
Bluegill fishing is best around the inlet/outlet structure. The best baits are redworms and larval baits such as waxworms or mousies fished below slip bobbers so depth can be varied depending upon the season.
Largemouth and smallmouth bass are usually shoreline residents and are best caught in the spring on artificial worms, jigs, and other deep running artificial lures as well as large minnows and crayfish. Boat anglers have good success fishing the riprap shoreline.
Channel catfish fishing is expected to be best on the spawning shelves and other shoreline areas during the spring and early summer and deeper waters during the summer and early fall. Fishing on or near the bottom with nightcrawlers, shrimp, or cut bait should produce the best results.
Yellow perch are present throughout the reservoir although they seek the shoreline cover areas more often in late summer and fall. Best baits for open water fishing are minnows and worms.
Ice fishing is allowed at your own risk. Avoid the inlet/outlet pipe located in the southwest corner of the lake. We recommend not fishing alone and take ice safety precautions. Ice fishing is frequently good at Outhwaite for saugeye, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, and channel catfish. Ice fishing for saugeye is good especially in the deeper water of the reservoir. Jigging spoons or ice lures are effective for saugeye and channel catfish. A live minnow fished through the ice is also effective for saugeye. Bluegill and yellow perch are caught readily through the ice using larval baits such as mousies, waxworms, and wigglers on ice flies. The secret to successful ice fishing is to move frequently from hole to hole until you locate fish.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
| Channel Catfish |
Poor
|
Poor
|
17.9
|
| Saugeye |
Poor
|
Fair
|
24.0
|
| White Bass |
Poor
|
Poor
|
13.7
|
| Yellow Perch |
Poor |
Poor |
8.1 |
Fish Survey Report
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Boats are allowed on the reservoir, with no horsepower restriction. The boat ramp and main parking area is on the south side of the reservoir off State Route 98. Additional parking is located on the west side of the reservoir off Beachgrove Road, and the east side of the reservoir off Kiess Road. The boat ramp and parking areas are operated by the city of Bucyrus. Hunting is allowed with restrictions. Contact the mayor’s office at 419- 562-7951 for more information.
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
Fish management activities by the Ohio Division of Wildlife include stocking, fish population monitoring with sampling equipment, age and growth studies, angler harvest studies, and water quality analysis. These activities provide a continual check of water quality and fish population and a sound basis for management practices necessary to furnish quality public fishing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The nearest district office is Wildlife District Two, 952 Lima Ave., Findlay, Ohio 45840; telephone (419) 424-5000. 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 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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Major Sportfish
Life Histories |
|
|
|
|