Directions to Grand Lake St. Marys (via mapquest)

HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Grand Lake St. Marys was constructed from 1837 – 1845 to store water for the Miami-Erie Canal. Two earthen dams were built on the headwaters of two major drainage systems flooding the area between them. The spillway on the west end discharges water into the Wabash and Ohio River drainage systems; water from the east end spillway flows into the St. Marys River, and from there into the Maumee River and Lake Erie. The lake covers approximately 12,680 acres and is Ohio’s largest inland lake entirely within state borders.

Most of the lake is less than 7 feet deep with a soft bottom of silt. Some isolated areas of sandy or clay bottoms exist where wave action keeps the bottom cleaner. Lots of rock rip rap has been added to reduce shoreline erosion; these rocky shorelines provide cover for several species of fish. Numerous boat docks, shoreline brush, and fallen trees provide cover for fish.

The lake is approximately 9 miles long and 3 miles wide. The prevailing westerly winds commonly create whitecaps; strong winds can create dangerous wave conditions. Small boat operators should exercise extreme caution when traveling across the lake.

FISHES OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Largemouth bass, white and black crappies, bluegills, walleye, channel and flathead catfish, yellow perch, bullheads, carp, and suckers are found in the lake. Gizzard shad is the primary forage species for predators.

METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Crappies are taken throughout the lake by fishing around shoreline brush, fallen trees, or around boat docks. Live minnows or small jigs with plastic bodies are good baits. Largemouth bass are taken along rip rap shorelines or near shoreline brush and boat docks using spinner baits, crank baits, jigs, plastic baits, and live night crawlers. Bluegills can be taken around shoreline structure using red worms or wax worms on small hooks. For bass, bluegills, and crappies, the numerous tributaries and boat channels along the south shore are popular locations. Channel catfish are taken by bottom fishing with night crawlers, chicken liver, shrimp, or cut fish bait. Flathead catfish are usually caught while bottom fishing with large live bait, such as chubs, bluegill, or green sunfish. The best bullhead fishing occurs in the spring using red worms or night crawlers fished near the bottom. Walleye can be taken with lead head jigs and plastic curly tails, live night crawler rigs, or crank baits. The tailwater below the West Bank spillway is a productive walleye location. Yellow perch are caught using live minnows or red worms fished near the bottom. Ice fishing can be productive for crappies, bluegills, and perch.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The ODNR Division of Parks & Recreation operates and maintains 7 boat ramps, a marina with rental boats, seasonal rental docks, two swimming beaches, picnic areas and picnic shelters (some shelters can be reserved), handicap accessible shoreline fishing piers, and a campground. The Class A campground offers 204 campsites with electricity, camper cabins, cedar cabins, flush toilets, showers, a trailer waste dump station, a nature center, and a boat ramp with overnight courtesy docks.

Current Outlook Info 5-30-07
Bullhead, Channel, Flathead Catfish ‑ Large numbers of bullhead catfish 9‑12".  Fish worms on the bottom in boat channels and tributaries from March‑May.  OUTLOOK: EXCELLENT. 

Large population of channel catfish, most 11‑18", some up to 15 pounds.  Night fishing is best.  OUTLOOK: EXCELLENT. 

Increasing numbers of flathead catfish, most 5-20 pounds.  OUTLOOK:  GOOD.

Crappie – Low numbers, most 7 – 10", some up to 13".  Best fishing usually in March, April, and May around boat docks or brushy shoreline areas.  OUTLOOK: FAIR

Largemouth Bass ‑ Most 10‑14", but good numbers in 2‑4 pound range.  Best time is June‑August.  Try rocks along east and west shores, or woody areas in channels and tributaries.  OUTLOOK: GOOD

Yellow Perch - Most 6-9”, some up to 12”.  Main lake open water areas best in late summer and early fall.  Winter ice fishing can also be very productive.  Live minnows and larval baits are productive.  OUTLOOK: FAIR

Walleye – Stocked nearly 52 million fry since 1999, along with 500,000 fingerlings in 2001, 628,000 in 2002, 939,000 in 2003, 983,000 in 2004, 267,000 in 2005, and 669,000 in 2006.   Anglers have taken good numbers of 13-20 inch fish in the tailwaters below the West Bank spillway.   In the lake, try drifting bottom-bouncing night crawler rigs or trolling silver crankbaits over sandy or hard clay bottom areas off the north shore or in the deeper areas near West Bank boat ramp.  OUTLOOK: FAIR
 

Download an 11x17 Adobe PDF file of Grand Lake St. Marys Fishing Map
Map courtesy of Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Wildlife 
 

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