Suppose you’ve been dreaming of fishing the lakes in Columbus, Ohio. In that case, you can stop dreaming and start planning your trip now because, with over 160 different fish species, Ohio truly is the freshwater fishing capital of the USA.
While the famous Ohio River is a frequent fishing spot for local anglers, it’s the lakes around Columbus, Ohio, where some of the best fishing activity occurs, including Lake Erie and many other fantastic freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams across the state. If you’re not familiar with the lakes in Ohio, don’t worry. We’ll cover everything you need to know!
In the following guide to the best lakes in and around Columbus, Ohio, you’ll discover:
If you’re in love with freshwater fishing and you’ve been searching for lakes near Columbus, Ohio, to get into some hot fishing activity, be sure to check out The Best Bait for Lake Fishing: A Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Bait, where we look at the best baits to use when you go lake fishing.
Thanks to the Fishbox App, a premium downloadable Fishing Forecasting App that you can take fishing with you, you’ll know the best time to plan your fishing trip, including when your target species is most active and the best local hotspots to try your luck.
Expert Opinion on The Best Lakes in Columbus
Top Lakes Within Columbus City Limits
In this section, we will cover the top fishing lakes within Columbus City limits for any anglers who are local to Columbus, or just visiting Columbus, Ohio, and don’t have access to transportation or a lot of time to take longer trips out of the city.
Griggs Reservoir
Griggs Reservoir offers a variety of fish species to freshwater anglers, and thanks to a public boat launch and plenty of shore-based access, a diverse range of fishing opportunities. Thanks to a 521-acre park maintained by the Columbus Department of Parks and Recreation, anglers can also access easy parking, picnic areas, and trails. Anglers can choose lures or bait, with crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and tubes being effective, along with minnows and nightcrawlers for bait anglers.
Fish Species Available: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Saugeye, and Channel Catfish.
Hoover Reservoir
Spring and fall are the peak fishing seasons for anglers planning a trip to Hoover Reservoir, but typically, this area fishes extremely well year-round. Combined with a diverse range of fish species, six boat launches, and plenty of shore-based access, it’s an excellent lake for anglers in Ohio chasing Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass.
Fish Species Available: Crappie, Saugeye, Largemouth Bass, and Smallmouth Bass.
Antrim Lake
While no boats or swimming are permitted at Antrim Lake, they have a large accessible dock and plenty of shore-based angling opportunities. Stocked with large Rainbow Trout annually by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, plenty of exciting fishing is on offer. Along with lots of fishing opportunities, Antrim Lake is a great place to take the family, with trails for biking and hiking, along with all the regular amenities.
Fish Species Available: Stocked Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill.
Big Walnut Creek
Big Walnut Creek is a tributary to the Scioto River and is located just south of Columbus. It’s a popular fishing location for local anglers chasing after Smallmouth Bass. Popular with local anglers because of the diverse range of fish species available and plenty of access points, it means that it’s not too hard to find a quiet spot to relax and enjoy a day of fishing.
Fish Species Available: Saugeye, Channel Catfish, Muskies, Crappie, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass.
Popular Lakes Near Columbus – Within 1 Hour’s Drive
If you have access to a vehicle when you’re visiting Columbus, Ohio, and you don’t mind getting a little outside of the city limits, these lakes will be well worth the excursion. In this section, we’re focusing on lakes within one hour’s drive of Columbus, Ohio.
Alum Creek Lake
Alum Creek Lake is located just to the north of Columbus, Ohio, close to an hour’s drive, making it an excellent destination for anyone looking to get out of the city for a few hours of fantastic fishing. While the fishing action is excellent in summer, that’s not all that’s on offer. There’s also some fantastic winter ice fishing for Black Crappie, White Crappie, and Bluegill.
Fish Species Available: Walleye, Muskie, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Saugeye.
Deer Creek Lake
Deer Creek Lake is a top Saugeye fishing location during spring, but it fishes well for most species year-round, so don’t worry if you’re not there in spring. There’s plenty of access around the lake’s shoreline, especially if you’re chasing after Bluegill and Crappie. If you’re chasing large Catfish, gizzard shad is the recommended bait, especially if you’re fishing on the bottom. For Largemouth Bass anglers, try fishing around the deep drop-offs close to shore, especially areas with plenty of cover.
Fish Species Available: Catfish, Saugeye, Crappie, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass.
Buckeye Lake
Less than 30 miles from Columbus, Ohio, Buckeye Lake offers anglers a wide range of fishing opportunities for popular fish species, including Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Crappie. There’s also a small population of Hybrid Striped Bass and Flathead Catfish if you’re willing to put in a little bit of hard work and don’t mind a challenge. With plenty of anglers for shore-based anglers and boaters, docks, boat ramps, parking, and facilities, Buckeye Lake is an excellent destination for a day of fishing, either solo or with the family.
Fish Species Available: Hybrid Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Bluegill, and Crappie.
Indian Lake
Known for its Saugeye, massive Bluegills, and Largemouth Bass, Indian Lake in Western Ohio is a premier fishing destination that rarely disappoints. With small islands dotted around the lake, there’s a lot of fantastic fishing habitat and cover, and the action can be quite intense at times. Indian Lake is regularly stocked, ensuring consistently high fish numbers, and anglers have the opportunity to fish from the shore as well as from boats, kayaks, and canoes.
Fish Species Available: Saugeye, Panfish, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass.
Types of Fish You Can Catch
There’s a reason that freshwater fishing enthusiasts rate the fishing in Ohio as high as they do, and it’s diversity. With such a broad and diverse range of freshwater fishing species on offer, both during the warm summer months and the cooler winter months, you won’t be disappointed if you’re planning a destination fishing trip.
Below are some of the most popular and common species that anglers in Ohio are targeting:
- Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass – It’s hard not to bump into a Bass angler in Ohio. These two fish are all the rage. Almost every stream, river, and lake throughout Ohio contains Bass, so there’s no shortage of opportunities. Summer is the peak month for chasing Bass, with Largemouth Bass being the best fighting fish of the pair.
- Saugeye – Saugeye is a hybrid, a mix of Sauger and Walleye. They can be found in various locations throughout Ohio, including many rivers and lakes. If you’re chasing a Saugeye to cross it off your bucket list, try fishing at Buckeye Lake, Alum Creek Lake, Caesar Creek Lake, or Indian Lake.
- Walleye – It’s not just the Bass biting in summer, with plenty of Walleye action on offer throughout the state, with Lake Erie being the prime destination for enthusiastic Walleye anglers. Spring is a prime time for shore-based anglers, and once the weather warms up and the Walleye head for deeper water, boat anglers will have their chance.
- Crappie – If you’re planning on taking the kids fishing in Ohio, one of the best species to start them on is Crappies. The Crappie fishing is prime between April and June, and then later in October and November.
- Channel and Flathead Catfish – If you’re a Catfish enthusiast, you won’t be disappointed with both Channel and Flathead Catfish located throughout lakes and rivers throughout Ohio.
- Bluegill – Regardless of whether you want to catch them or not, with their abundant numbers, Bluegill will be a common catch throughout Ohio. Despite their small size, Bluegill isn’t afraid to put up a big fight, which makes them a lot of fun, especially on light tackle. However, that’s not even the best part! Bluegill tastes fantastic, so if you’re fishing during the summer spawn, be sure to keep a couple for the grill.
- Trout (stocked) – If you consider yourself a bit of a Trout purist, then you’ll be happy to hear that there are several lakes and reservoirs throughout Ohio that are regularly stocked with a healthy and abundant number of big Trout, including some truly impressive Rainbow Trout.
- Muskies – For anglers new to Muskies, Ohio is a great place to test out your skills. The two best lakes in Ohio for catching Muskies are Clear Lake and Leesville. With plenty of open water for trolling, as well as shore-based opportunities, you’re not limited to where or how you chase these excellent freshwater fish. Muskies are ambush hunters, waiting for their prey to come to them, so fishing close to a shelter or structure is always a great place to start.
- Hybrid Striped Bass – These hybrids are a cross between a Striped Bass and a White Bass and are an extremely popular target species for anglers in Ohio. They’re found in various rivers, streams, reservoirs, and lakes.
Fishing Tips for Central Ohio Lakes
If you want to maximize your catch and give yourself the highest chance of success, then the following tips for fishing Ohio’s diverse range of lakes and rivers will be perfect for you!
Seasonal tips for lake fishing in Ohio include:
- Early Spring – Focus around the shoreline and any shallow areas.
- Summer – Move away from the shoreline and instead focus on deeper water and drop-offs where the water temperature is a little cooler.
- Fall – As the water temperature starts to fall, start fishing closer to shore.
- Winter – If you’re ice fishing and not familiar with the lake or ice thickness, speak to a local and ensure that you’re taking all safety precautions.
General Fishing Tips:
- If you’re fishing from a boat, utilize your depth sounder to find any underwater structures and drop-offs where fish may be hiding.
- Bass are a lot more active at night, and less angling pressure makes nighttime the prime time to target these fish.
- If you’re using jigs, try varying your retrieval speed and motion, and don’t be afraid to slow it right down.
- When fishing in winter, especially on ice in unfamiliar water, always fish with a friend, let someone know where you’re going and when you’re coming back, and wear a life vest if you’re unsure.
The Best Lakes in and Around Columbus, Ohio | Conclusion
Now you should have a clear idea of the best lakes in and around Columbus, Ohio, to chase some of the USA’s best freshwater fish species, including Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Northern Pike, and many other exciting fish species.
Before you hit the water and lakes around Columbus, Ohio, be sure to check in with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to ensure that your fishing license and permits are all current and up-to-date and that you’re fully aware of season, size, and bag limits. By following the regulations and only taking the fish we need, we can all do our part to be responsible anglers and ensure that future generations enjoy Ohio Lake fishing just as much as we do.
Thanks to the latest state-of-the-art technology in the Fishbox App, including the latest weather and tidal prediction software and algorithms, Ohio anglers can accurately track weather conditions in their fishing area and predict the best times to go fishing. Fishbox App combines predictive fish behavior with weather, lunar, and tidal conditions to deliver optimal fishing opportunities, regardless of where or when you plan on going angling.
The Fishbox App was developed in collaboration with accurate weather data and expert fish behavioral analysis. These advanced forecasts will significantly increase your catch rate while cutting down on how much time you spend fishing. Spend more time catching fish and have a more enjoyable time on the water thanks to the expert advice from the Fishbox App team.
