LOCATION
Tappan Lake is in northwestern Harrison County in Stock and Franklin townships. U.S. Route 250 follows the main body of the reservoir for 7 miles. Township roads border three long bays on the north side, making easy access to the lake. New Philadelphia, with access to I-77, lies 20 miles to the northwest.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
as part of the Ohio-Mississippi Flood Control Program.
The Division of Wildlife is responsible for all hunting and fishing in the District's 54,000 acres of land and water. There are 16,000 acres of Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District lakes with 365 miles of shoreline for the fisherman to enjoy.
Tappan Lake was impounded by constructing a dam across Little Stillwater Creek. It has 2,131 acres of water and its 47 miles of shoreline offers more accessible shoreline fishing than any other Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District lake.
FISHES OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Tappan Lake is noted for its fine populations of largemouth bass, crappies, bluegill, and channel catfish. Saugeye fishing is becoming increasingly popular. There are fair populations of perch, bullheads, and sunfish. Saugeye are stocked by the Division of Wildlife of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
| Channel Catfish |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
21.7
|
| Crappie |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
13.4
|
| Largemouth Bass |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
21.7
|
| Saugeye |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
28.7
|
| Smallmouth Bass |
Good |
Excellent |
19.7 |
| Sunfish |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
7.7
|
White Bass
|
Good
|
Excellent
|
17.7
|
Fish Survey Report
| Type of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| Catfish |
7%
|
Good
|
High
|
| Crappie |
9%
|
Good
|
High
|
Largemouth Bass and
Smallmouth Bass |
31%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
| Saugeye |
14%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
| Sunfish |
7%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
White Bass
|
4%
|
Fair
|
High
|
Angler Survey Report
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Spring fishing produces excellent catches of largemouth bass. The most successful method is by casting the shoreline from boat or wading using artificial lures. Crappies are most readily taken around stumps and brush during the spring and fall on live minnows and crappie jigs. The most popular way of taking bluegills is by using the canoe pole with redworms and maggots as bait during the summer months. Night fishing during the summer using cut bait produces excellent catches of catfish. Saugeye fishing is productive from spring through fall. Small jigs, tipped with a minnow or part of a nightcrawler, are effective in luring saugeye. The bridge openings are concentrating areas for saugeye during the fall lake draw-down period, which usually occurs from November 1 until December 1.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Recreational facilities include boat rental, bait, picnic areas, campsites, vacation cabins, and food service.
Note: Horsepower limits, “no wake” zones, and other boating regulations are subject to change. Boaters should contact the ODNR Division of Wildlife for current information.
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 ODNR Division of Wildlife’s fish management activities include stocking, conducting periodic angler surveys, constructing fishing access facilities, improving in-lake fish habitat, monitoring fish populations with nets, seines, and electrofishing gear, and regulation enforcement. These activities are vital to providing adequate public access and determining the management practices necessary to produce quality fishing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The nearest Division of Wildlife District Office is Wildlife District Three, 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron, Ohio 44319 telephone (330) 644-2293. 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 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. |