Fishing Rocky Fork Lake

AKA: Rocky Fork State Park Lake

Popular Fish Species
Rocky Fork Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Boat Launch Ramps
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Rocky Fork State Park Lake, OH

Popular Fish Species Rocky Fork Lake, OH

Crappie Fishing

With a history of good crappie fishing, Rocky Fork Lake continues to impress crappie enthusiasts this year. Light line and small hooks are key when fishing live bait. Crappie jigs are also productive her in a wide variety of colors. 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. 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.

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Rocky Fork Lake is a dependable bass fishing lake, as it has been for several years now. Anglers are catching bass in good numbers with largemouth bass in the 3 to 4-pound range showing up with some regularity. A history of careful fisheries management by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has helped to maintain a thriving bass fishery. Anglers can also catch smallmouth 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. In Rocky Fork Lake, bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. If they seem disinterested in your presentations, try slowing down and use smaller, lighter baits. 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.

White Bass Fishing

After a few successful spawn years, a healthy population of fat white bass are flourishing in Rocky Fork Lake. White bass are aggressive, hard-fighting and just plain fun to catch. When fishing for white bass, the average fish is typically in the one- to two-pound range. These schooling fish tend to roam around the lake looking for ideal water conditions and baitfish. Look for them to generally be in 15 to 35 feet of water, whether they are hovering around the bottom or swimming in open water. Fish finders are the best way to locate big schools of white bass. Fish near the bottom at night with live bait. In spring, once the water temperature rises into the mid sixties, they move shallow into the backs of coves and creek channels to spawn. When white bass chase schools of bait near the surface, spinners, spoons and small crank baits work well. At this time anglers can fish from shore and often do quite well. Use lures that imitate baitfish, including small crankbaits, small jerkbaits, jigs and spoons.

Rocky Fork Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, white bass, muskie and saugeye at Rocky Fork Lake in Ohio.

Bass, walleye muskie and catfish are some of the more popular fish species at Rocky Fork Lake. Crappie and sunfish also populate the lake in good numbers. This is a 2,000-acre lake in the southwest part of the state, and has over 30 miles of shoreline. Fishing from the bank is popular, plus there is a fishing pier.

Primary fish species residing in Rocky Fork Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Rocky Fork State Park Lake Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

East Shore Boat Launch Ramp
Located on the east side of the lake, off East Shore Drive, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

East Shore Marina Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off Lucas Lane, this is a six-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Fisherman's Wharf Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Fisherman's Wharf Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

South Beach Boat Launch
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off Road 19, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.