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Mailing Address:
2045 Morse Road
Building A
Columbus, OH 43229

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Deer Creek Lake

This 1,280-acre lake is located within a 7,500-acre state recreation area in portions of Pickaway and Fayette counties in south-central Ohio. The area is relatively flat with some gently rolling agricultural lands and provides an easy getaway from the Columbus and Dayton metropolitan areas. Map

Deer Creek Lake offers a nice getaway in the Ohio countryside and does not experience high boating or fishing pressure when compared with other larger recreation lakes. This is particularly true in early spring and fall when temperatures are relatively mild, and boating and fishing opportunities are very good to excellent.

Deer Creek State Park offers a full service marina located just off Ohio Route 207 on the west end of the lake. Included is a multi-lane boat launch ramp, boat rentals, marine fuel, seasonal boat dockage, food services and boating supplies. A second boat launch facility is located on the east side of the lake near the Harding Cabin on County Road 17.

The lake contains 19 miles of shoreline where boaters can enjoy a designated boat-swim area as well as great sport fishing. Popular sport fish sought by anglers include saugeye, bass, catfish, bluegill and crappie. Several bait shops are located near the lake and provide bait and other fishing supplies. The lake allows boats with unlimited horsepower and also attracts a variety of other boats such as canoes, pontoons, fishing boats and small runabouts.

Surrounding the lake in the state park is a first-class resort lodge, championship 18-hole golf course, hiking and bridle trails, and a campground with more than 200 campsites. The adjacent wildlife area provides good wildlife viewing opportunities and is popular among waterfowl and upland hunters in the fall.

Deer Creek Lake is located off Ohio Route 207 just south of the village of Mt Sterling and is approximately 35 miles south of Columbus, 35 miles north of Chillicothe and 60 miles east of Dayton.

For more lake information contact the marina office at (740) 869-4543 or Army Corps of Engineers office at (740) 869-2243.