 East Fork Lake
Also known as William H Harsha Lake, East Fork Lake and State Park in Clermont County are a highly popular destination area for more than 1 million annual visitors. The 2,160-acre lake was formed in 1978 along the East Fork of the Little Miami River and contains 36 miles of shoreline within East Fork Lake State Park. Map
The lake offers unlimited horsepower and attracts a variety of watercraft that includes canoes and kayaks commonly found along the more remote shoreline areas and around lake coves. Pontoon boats, sailboats, power cruisers, water ski boats, jet-propelled personal watercraft, bass boats and cabin cruisers are found on the lake as well. A 300-foot no-wake zone helps reduce shoreline erosion.
East Fork Lake annually hosts various rowing championships on the local, state, regional and national levels. The lake is highly popular among boating anglers who gather here to pursue four species of bass including the hybrid striped bass -- a game fish not common to Ohio waterways. Crappie, bluegill, catfish and sunfish also provide good fishing action.
The lake does not have a marina or seasonal dockage, but does offer mooring sites and six public boat launch ramps. The boat ramp locations include one exclusively for the use of campers at the 500-site state park campground. Other boat ramp locations include Todd’s Run, Bantam Road, North Shore, Reisinger Road, Slade Road at the dam, and Acton Elk Lick Road. There is a designated boat/swim area in addition to a 1,200-foot long swimming beach.
What also makes East Fork a destination area for boaters, campers and other visitors is its size and diversity of outdoor amenities that include 46 miles of backpack trails, 55 miles of bridle trails and 85 miles of hiking trails.
East Fork Lake can be accessed on US Route 22 and is located 2 miles south of Batavia, 25 miles east of Cincinnati and 90 miles southwest of Columbus.
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