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Wills Creek Lake Fishing Map |
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LOCATION
Wills Creek Lake is located in Adams and Monroe Townships, Muskingum County; as well as Linton Township, Coshocton County. Wills Creek Lake is owned and managed by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District for flood control and recreation. The lake is located approximately 15 miles south of Coshocton, off State Route 83.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District was organized in 1933 to address flooding in the Muskingum River drainage. The dam was completed in 1936 and is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The dam impounds 375 acres of water with a shoreline length of 20.3 miles. The maximum depth is 12 feet. The area surrounding Wills Creek Lake includes rolling, forested hills and 2,830 acres of public land. Camping is not permitted.
FISH OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Wills Creek Lake has populations of largemouth bass, channel catfish, saugeye, and bluegill. Crappie are found in low numbers. The ODNR Division of Wildlife stocks saugeye fingerlings annually. Gizzard shad is the main forage species.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
Comments |
| Channel Catfish |
Good
|
Fair
|
26.2
|
The tailwater fishery is very good. |
| Crappie |
Poor
|
Poor
|
10.5
|
|
| Largemouth Bass |
Poor
|
Fair
|
19.3
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|
| Saugeye |
Fair
|
Fair
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22.8
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|
| Sunfish |
Poor
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Fair
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7.2
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|
White Bass
|
Fair
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Poor
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12.4
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Fish Survey Report
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Better largemouth bass fishing can be found in the spring and fall. As springtime water temperatures warm up, bass will move into shallow water areas to feed and to prepare for spawning. Fish near shallow structure such as tree stumps, fallen trees, or weed bed edges. Spinnerbaits, rubber worms, crankbaits, and jig/pig combinations work well. Warm summer water temperatures will usually push fish into deeper depths. Fishing during the early morning hours or in the evening will provide better results. Cooler, fall temperatures will trigger bass to move back in the shallow water areas. Fishing success may pick up as bass prepare for winter.
Bluegill can be caught throughout the lake from early spring until fall. Popular methods include waxworms or redworms fished below a bobber. Look for spawning beds in shallow water during the spring and throughout the summer. Many bluegill can be found concentrated in these areas.
Channel catfish angling picks up by mid-June. Nightcrawlers, chicken livers, or prepared catfish baits work well when fished on the bottom. Night fishing for catfish is a popular method for catfish anglers.
Saugeye bite well in the early spring as well as late fall and winter. Shallow flats, points, as well areas with rip-rap seem to attract saugeye most often. Many anglers have luck at dusk and evening. Jig and twisters, vibrating blade baits, and stick baits are popular in addition to live bait such as minnows. The tailwater area below the dam is especially productive.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
A boat ramp is located off the State Route 83 and County Road 410 intersection. A handicapped accessible fishing platform is located at the dam tailwaters. Wills Creek Lake has a 10 horsepower limit for outboard motors.
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 Division of Wildlife’s fish management activities include stocking, population monitoring with nets, electrofishing surveys, angler surveys, felling trees, and preparing Christmas tree piles to act as fish attractors. Additionally, fish management personnel conduct general water quality analyses. A continuing check of water quality and fish populations is vital in determining the management practices necessary to produce quality fish for the public.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Questions and inquiries can be directed to Wildlife District Four, 360 East State Street, Athens, Ohio 45701; telephone 740-589-9930. To get other maps or publications call toll free, 1-800-WILDLIFE.
Additional information can be obtained from The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, P.O. Box 349, 1319 Third Street NW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663: telephone 1-877-363-8500.
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.
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