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LOCATION
Rocky Fork Lake is in Highland County, approximately 5 miles east of Hillsboro, 25 miles west of Chillicothe, and 55 miles east of Cincinnati. The lake is accessible from U. S. Route 50 and State Routes 124, 506, and 753.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Rocky Fork Lake was impounded on Rocky Fork Creek in 1951. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Recreation, constructed this 1,992-acre lake for public recreation. The lake is in the Scioto River watershed and has a drainage area of 70,399 acres.
Rocky Fork Lake has a average depth of about 15 feet, with a maximum depth of about 40 feet. Prior to impoundment, the present lake bottom was mainly agricultural fields. Many tree stumps were left standing in the upper end of the lake during construction. Steep, rocky shorelines are present in some sections of the lower half of the lake. Since construction, the upper-third of the lake has become much shallower due to siltation.
FISH OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Rocky Fork Lake has good populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, walleye, channel and flathead catfish, bullheads, and carp. A few smallmouth bass are also present. Gizzard shad is the main forage species.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
Fishing Tips/Comments |
| Channel Catfish |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
33.5
|
Popular areas include the campground area, Fisherman's wharf, and the extreme east end of the lake. |
| Crappie |
Good
|
Fair |
12.4
|
In spring, use minnows or small jigs near woody structure in shallow water. In summer and fall, try 10-20 foot depths along dropoffs. |
| Largemouth Bass |
Good
|
Good
|
20.8
|
Best areas include rocky shorelines, boat docks, and edges of weed beds.
|
| Saugeye |
Good
|
Excellent
|
27.7
|
Cast blade baits or jigs and twisters; drag worms or minnows along the bottom; or troll crankbaits. Try 5-15 foot depths adjacent to dropoffs. |
| Sunfish |
Good
|
Good
|
8.2
|
Fish near week beds, falen trees, and boat docks using wax worms and small jigs.
|
White Bass
|
Good
|
Good
|
15.5
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In April and May, try the Route 124 bridge upstream of the lake. Look for schooling white bass from July-November in open water areas of the lake. |
Fish Survey Report
| Types of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| Catfish |
10%
|
Fair
|
High
|
| Crappie |
14%
|
Good
|
High
|
Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass
|
35%
|
Good
|
High
|
| Saugeye |
5%
|
Good
|
Average
|
| Sunfish |
6%
|
Good
|
High
|
White Bass
|
1%
|
Excellent
|
Average
|
Angler Survey Report
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Largemouth bass are taken on diving and surface lures, plastic worms, jigs, and live worms around fallen trees and stumps, along rocky shorelines, and in bays. Bluegill anglers using redworms and waxworms have good catches around fallen trees and along drop-offs. Live minnows and small plastic grub jigs are good for crappies near the shoreline brush and fallen trees, and along steep shorelines with submerged cover. Walleye anglers are successful using live nightcrawlers or minnows near the bottom, or trolling deep diving lures in the lower half of the lake near points and drop-offs. Excellent catches of channel catfish, bullheads, and a few flathead catfish are taken on nightcrawlers, soft craws, chicken livers, and cut baits in the upper end and near the eastern shore.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The Division of Parks and Recreation operates and maintains parking lots, boat ramps and docks, concessions, a meeting facility, swimming beaches, picnic areas, hiking trails, and campgrounds. Campgrounds provide electric, non-electric, and full hook-up sites along with drinking water, flush toilets, shower facilities, trailer waste dump stations, and picnic tables. There are no horsepower restrictions for boats.
Note: Horsepower limits and other boating regulations are subject to change. Boaters should contact the ODNR Division of Wildlife for current 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
The ODNR Division of Wildlife's fish management activities have included stocking, installing fish habitat structures, conducting creel surveys, constructing fishing piers, and monitoring populations with nets, seines, and electrofishing gear. These activities are vital to providing adequate public access and determining the management practices necessary to produce quality fishing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The nearest district office is Wildlife District Five, 1076 Old Springfield Pike, Xenia, Ohio 45385-1238 telephone (937) 372-9261. To get other maps or publications call toll free 1-800-WILDLIFE.
For information on state park facilities, contact Rocky Fork State Park, 9800 North Shore Drive, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133-9205; telephone (937) 393-4284.
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. |
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