Fishing Paint Creek Lake

AKA: Paint Creek State Park Lake

Popular Fish Species
Paint Creek Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Paint Creek Lake, OH

Popular Fish Species Paint Creek Lake, OH

Saugeye Fishing

Paint Creek Lake has a notable population of stocked saugeye, which are a favorite of many anglers. When a female walleye spawns with a male sauger, the result is a hybrid known as saugeye. Their meat is very tasty, and they put up a good fight. Look for them near bottom on sandy bars and especially along drop offs into river channels. These toothy critters often migrate up-river in winter and spring, congregating in low-current areas. A common method for catching saugeye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting topwater lures, live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very productive. Use GPS to locate spots you normally fish during other times of the year.

Paint Creek Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Paint Creek Lake is a very popular bass fishing tournament lake, with annual events held by local and state fishing organizations. Both weekend and tournament anglers are catching bass in good numbers. While largemouth bass are the dominant species, anglers can also catch smallmouth bass and spotted bass, which reside here in decent numbers. Recent results by bass fishing tournament participants, attest to the fact that fishing for largemouth bass has been quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 6 pounds being weighed in. A history of careful fisheries management by the Division of Wildlife, Ohio DNR has helped to maintain a thriving bass fishery. In Paint Creek Lake, bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. In winter when the lake freezes over and the ice is safe, bass can also be caught while ice fishing.

Crappie Fishing

When fishing for crappie, light line and small hooks are key when fishing live or prepared baits. Crappie jigs are also productive her in a wide variety of colors. With a history of good crappie fishing, Paint Creek Lake continues to impress crappie enthusiasts this year. The lake has healthy populations of both white crappie and black crappie. These two species typically tend to school separately. However, once located around cover, you may find that you catch both species, due to the fact they often share the same cover. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing is often a great way to catch a bunch of hungry of crappie. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, 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, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk.

Paint Creek Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill and saugeye at Paint Creek Lake in Ohio.

Considered one of the top fishing lakes in the area, Paint Creek Lake is a 1,178-acre lake in the south-central part of the state, with over 30 miles of shoreline. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass are favorite targets here, but crappie, catfish and sunfish also get a lot of attention. This fertile fishery attracts many fishing tournaments throughout the season.

Primary fish species residing in Paint Creek Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Paint Creek Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: NEARBY

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Paint Creek State Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the northeast side of the lake, off Taylor Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Paint Creek State Park - Deer Park Boat Ramp
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, off Road 310, this is a six-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.