Fishing Clear Fork Reservoir

AKA: Clearfork Reservoir, Clear Fork Lake

Popular Fish Species
Clear Fork Reservoir Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
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Clear Fork Reservoir, OH

Popular Fish Species Clear Fork Reservoir, OH

Clear Fork Reservoir Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Clear Fork Reservoir offers reasonably good fishing for largemouth bass. Some big bass roam Clear Fork Reservoir, thanks to excellent fisheries management by the Division of Wildlife, Ohio DNR, as well as the availability of extensive cover for both baitfish and bass. When the bite is good, bass typically move shallow and are quite aggressive. If you find them shallow and they are not tempted to bite, slow down and use smaller, lighter baits. Fishing for largemouth bass is good virtually any time they are shallow - in spring, mornings in summer, and during warm Fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time fishing Clear Fork Reservoir on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Smallmouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers.

Clear Fork Reservoir Popular Fish - Crappie

Crappie Fishing

Black and white crappie both reside in Clear Fork Reservoir, with black crappie typically out-weighing white crappie. They often school together, so when you find them you may catch both species. Crappie fishing is on the rise and they can be found in sizeable schools. Crappie always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing is often a great way to catch a quick limit of crappie.

Clear Fork Reservoir Popular Fish - Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish Fishing

Again this year a healthy population of channel catfish populate the waters of Clear Fork Reservoir, and can be found all around the lake. In Spring channel catfish migrate toward incoming water, so stay up river away from the main lake. Night fishing for channel catfish often delivers better results than fishing during the day. In early summer look for rocky banks, the bigger the rocks the better. In summer and winter deeper structure is where to look. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Fishing for channel catfish is often productive around any kind of structure in the area. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with popular catfish baits. Flathead catfish and blue catfish also reside in the lake and fishing for them is often good as well.

Clear Fork Reservoir Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, white bass, yellow perch and saugeye at Clear Fork Reservoir in Ohio.

With plenty of area designated for fishing from the bank, Clear Fork Reservoir is a great place to take the family for a fishing trip or an extended vacation. This 1,000-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, has 14 miles of shoreline.

Fishing at Clear Fork Reservoir offers anglers the chance to target a variety of fish species. The lake offers fishing for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish. The lake has populations of bass, muskie, perch, white bass, catfish, crappie and bluegill. A marina and public boat ramp offer services, launching and parking. All types of fishing boats may use the free boat launch ramp, and canoes and kayaks can be launched from some of the picnic areas.

Primary fish species residing in Clear Fork Reservoir

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Clear Fork Reservoir Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: NEARBY

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Dane's Marine
Rentals: Fishing boats and pontoon boats
419 884-6277

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Clearfork Marina Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, off Highway 97, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.