With is various river, ponds and lakes including lake Erie Ohio has much to offer the recreational angler. It has numerous state parks with plenty of hidden areas to find you Largemouth or Smallmouth bass.
This article will highlight many of the popular bass fishing locations in Ohio as well as offer some useful tips and advice for bass fishing in and around Ohio. Some other popular species to try and fish for while in Ohio are Trout, Perch, Bluegill, Crappie and Catfish. Ohio is also known for its active nightlife, so after a long day on the lake you may want to check out a bar or dance club.
Popular Bass Fishing Locations in Ohio
Below are a list of lakes and ponds in Ohio that are popular Bass fishing locations.
- Lake Abram
- Baldwin Lake
- Clifton Lagoon
- Duck Pond Lake
- Echo Hills Lake
- Lake Erie
- Eureka Lake
- Lake Isaac
- Meadow Lake
- Neptune Lake
- Quail Hollow
- Sans Souce
- Lower Shaker
- Upper Shaker
- Smith Road Lakes
- Tappan Lake
- Wallace Lake
Bait Shops in Ohio
- R & R Sports Headquarters
Front Street, Columbus, OH
(614) 443-4954 - Norton Sporting Goods
100 Norton Road, Waldo, OH
(740) 726-2616 - Fisherman’s Warehouse
Williams Road, Columbus, OH
(614) 491-8383 Place page - Old Dutchman
Sunbury Road, Westerville, OH
(614) 891-2653 Place page - George’s Hook N Gun Fishing and Hunting
5150 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, OH
(440) 282-2660 - Scioto Bait & Grocery
7775 Dublin Rd, Powell, OH
(740) 881-4142 Place page - Bait and Tackle
83 Madison Street, Port Clinton, OH
(419) 734-9002 Place page - Fisherman’s Quarters
142 South Keowee Street, Dayton, OH
(937) 222-2224 - Erie Outfitters
5404 E Lake Rd, Sheffield Lake, OH
(440) 949-8934 - Warrior Baits
5522 Center Street, Hilliard, OH
(614) 876-5476
Tips and Advice for Catching Bass
Bass will hide out in areas with natural or man made cover. Look for weed beds, tree limbs that have fallen in the water or large patches of Lilly pads. They are an ambush predator so they will wait in these areas until they spot a meal that swims by.
Early morning or late afternoon’s produce good fishing activity while bass fishing. Overcast days or other days with low light conditions produce good results. A few hours before sunset through a few hours after are the hours that produce best while Bass fishing.
In general the smaller bass’s diet consists more of small insects, whereas the larger adults consume small fish, frogs, salamanders, craw fish ect.
Rooster tails or spinner baits work well in low light days. My advice is to keep to the live bait whenever possible. Skimming a rubber frog over a pond that is covered by Lilly pads produces excellent and exciting results.
Tight lines and good luck Bass fishing in Ohio.