Fishing

Nestled among the Appalachian foothills of southeastern Ohio, the Wayne National Forest offers over 500 acres of ponds and lakes open to public fishing and wildlife viewing.

Hunting

Hunting opportunities abound on the Wayne National Forest. Ohio hunting laws are enforced on National Forest land, with a variety of species to be hunted and an array of hunting experiences from remote walk-in areas to easily accessible lands near roads.

Fishing

Four warm-water streams flow through the Wayne’s boundaries, and the Ohio River borders a part of this Forest. This presents a variety of fishing opportunities. Walk-in to a remote pond or enjoy the amenities of a developed lake site. Visit one of our Ohio River access points or wade along one of our lazy, slow-moving streams. The choice is yours!

Lake and Pond Fishing

Fishing on the Wayne National Forest is anchored by our largest lakes: Lake Vesuvius (143 acres), Timber Ridge Lake (100 acres), and Pumpkintown Lake (7 acres).

Lake Vesuvius Rec Area is our most developed site and offers a wide range of activities in addition to a premier fishing destination stocked by ODNR that features a boat ramp and accessible boardwalk. Timber Ridge Lake offers similar developed amenities and is recognized by the State of Ohio as being among the top lakes in water quality for it's very deep and clear water. Pumpkintown Lake, also known as Kenton Lake, is located in Gallia County, on the northern end of the Ironton Ranger District and is among the most popular lakes in the area due to its remote peaceful character.

Additionally, about 130 fishable ponds and small lakes, ranging in size from 1-10 acres, are scattered throughout the Wayne National Forest. They consist of old farm ponds, coal strip-mine ponds, or limestone quarry ponds. Some have easy, drive-in access and others are accessible only by primitive walk-in trails. Many anglers bring belly boats along for these harder to reach ponds!

Fishing Resources

Ohio DNR Fishing Basics

Fishing Rules and Regulations

The Wayne National Forest (NF) manages fish habitats and angling opportunities in cooperation with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, which regulates and manages fish populations. As such, the same fishing regulations that apply to the state of Ohio apply on the Wayne National Forest. Key points include:

Fishers over the age of 15 are required to have an Ohio fishing licenses.
Those requiring a license are required to carry the license on them while fishing.
With the exception of the Ohio River, those fishing are required to follow Ohio's state restrictions regarding size, daily limits, and consumption advisories for fish species.

River and Stream Fishing

From the Ohio River at Leith Run to streams on the Forest, the Wayne offers some premier fishing opportunities. The Wayne National Forest offers boat ramps to the Ohio River and additional canoe and jon boats opportunities can be had on the Little Muskingum River, the Hocking River, and Symmes Creek and Pine Creek.

Ohio River

Fish habitats along the Ohio River range from fast tailwaters to sluggish embayments. This helps develop diverse species of fish, as each pool has its own characteristics. The Willow Island Pool of the Ohio River can be accessed from the Leith Run Recreation Area, located on the Marietta Unit of the Athens Ranger District. Fishing facilities at Leith Run include a concrete boat ramp, spacious trailer parking, camping, and shoreline fishing. The primary species found in there include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, sauger, hybrid stripers, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, flathead catfish, walleye, and freshwater drum.

Some species found in the Ohio River, like carp and catfish, are covered under a fish consumption advisory. While "catch-and-release" fishing is still a popular option with those species, please check with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the latest advisories.

Little Muskingum River

This river is perhaps the Wayne's best kept secret. The stream is located in Monroe and Washington Counties in the Marietta Unit of the Athens Ranger District. The upper half of the river has a moderate gradient and has been known to produce some nice smallmouth bass and sunfish. The mid-reaches are home to the Ohio muskellunge - a handful of Ohio Muskies are caught and released each year. The lower part of the river has a slow gradient and has long deep pools. Many Ohio River fishes migrate up into this part of the Little Muskingum and can provide some "reel" fun.

Hocking River

The Hocking is one of the largest rivers in Ohio, and a portion of it flows through the Wayne National Forest, near Nelsonville and Athens. There are only a handful of National Forest tracts with frontage to the Hocking River, but access is provided in several places. Canoes and small jon boats can be used on the Hocking.

Symmes Creek and Pine Creek

These two streams flow through the Ironton Ranger District. Each are Ohio River tributaries and have slow gradients. Long, deep pools are characteristic of these two streams. Symmes Creek (shown below) and some lower portions of Pine Creek are canoeable in the winter and spring months. Sauger, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel catfish, sunfish, and good-sized suckers can be caught.

Fishing Resources

Wayne National Forest Fishing Guide (pdf)

Ohio DNR Fishing Basics

Fishing Rules and Regulations

Fishers over the age of 15 are required to have an Ohio fishing liscencse.
Those requiring a license are required to carry the license on them while fishing.
With the exception of the Ohio River, those fishing are required to follow Ohio's state restrictions regarding size, daily limits, and consumption advisories for fish species.