Boating America Ohio

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180 - Unlimited HP

Public Lakes and Rivers

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Ohio Lakes 2000 acres or larger with a note of a few smaller unlimited HP lakes.

Lake Erie. Various places to launch, Unlimited HP. Camping, Rentals, Fuel, Fishing, Swimming, Skiing, Sailing, Picnicking. Suggested Sights and events, The Rock Hall of Fame and waterfront area. Cedar Point, Sandusky Bay, Marblehead, Kelly's Island, Put-n-Bay, Canadian Peeles Island, Toledo . Various boating events year round. Call 1-800 BUCKEYE for more information on boating related events. Some launch ramp fees may apply. Catawba Island (derivable from the mainland) has the closest launch ramps to Put-n-Bay. Suggest Marine Radio and GPS. Check weather for small craft advisories (waves can get in the 6-10 feet range on sudden wind change). (419) 797-4530 Catawba Island State Park, (Free Ramp). Can access from Chargrin River in Lake County, Huron River in Erie County, Sandusky River in Sandusky County, and Maumee in Lucas / Wood County in Toledo. Ideal launching communities include the Catawba Island area just northwest west of Sandusky, Sandusky in areas near the Cedar Point Causeway, the Boating Community of Vermilion, Ohio (Boating Americas prime pick) and Lorain. There are also many other posted launching areas along Route 6.

The Ohio River. Southern counties of the state. Various places to launch (about every 20 miles), Unlimited HP. Camping, Rentals, Fuel, Fishing, Swimming, Sailing, Picnicking, Information Center in Marietta. Suggested Sights and events for 1998 to be posted. Various boating events in Cincinnati. Some launch ramp fees may apply. (Be sure to check "Links Page"). Also accessible from Muskingum as far north as Dresdin. Ohio and Hand Locked through 11 locks through Zanesville, plus Little Miami River in Cincinnati. Cincinnati offers excellent boating opportunities with ramping available for a small fee at various points including Schmidts off the eastern I475 loop with an easy run westward to downtown Cincinnati. Many restaurants along the downtown riverfront offer docking on the Covington, KY side with excellent views of downtown and Cinergy Field (current home of the Reds and Bengels). October 13-17, 1999 Tall Stacks will bring the past to life, as America's grandest riverboats gather on the Ohio River at Cincinnati for 5 days of good old-fashioned fun October 13-17, 1999. Riverboat cruises & races, boat rides, costumed characters, historical re-enactments, Dixieland jazz and down-home cooking' will give visitors of all ages an unforgettable slice of Americana. This will be a major boating event, make plans to be there next year. The Ohio River in the Marietta area is also growing with regard to boating. It has jet ski rentals in Belpre, Ohio. New this year is a restaurant overlooking the Ohio with bands on the weekends and a new addition this year which is a great asset to the area is the water support team that was sponsored by Pepsi, Dairy Queen of Marietta, and WNUS radio. The support team is on the water every weekend giving free tows, gas, and jump starts while promoting boating safety and giving live radio broadcasts to help boaters while in the area. If you happen to find the boat cool treat on the water with all the logos on it stop them and the will give you a free water support team tee shirt.

Cuyahoga River. Cuyahoga County. In the Heart of Cleveland!. Various Launch areas, some may have fee. Fishing, Sailing, Fuel and Rental Boats. The "Bottoms" has become a popular area with restaurants and clubs.

Maumee River. Henry/Wood/Lucas Counties. Unlimited H.P. Various Launch Ramps. Fishing, Sailing, Skiing, Fuel. Note.. check with local area on skiing regulations. Suggest Mary Jane Thurston State Park in Wood County. (419) 832-7662.

Muskingum River Parkway. Muskingum, Morgan, Washington Counties. Unlimited H.P., Fishing, Fuel, Information Center (at the Zanesville lock) Picnic Grounds, Campsites, Skiing, Canoeing, Various launch areas, some charge small fee. The only Navigable Inland Ohio River that still has Hand Turned Locks built in the 1800s. Average depth is 5-10 feet, and locks operate on most summer weekends. 35 dollar annual fee ($ 50 dollars over 26 feet) covers all 11 locks. Be sure to check out the Zanes Trace Commemoration in middle June with concerts and fireworks above the Zanesville Locks and the Marietta Sternwheeler Festival in September on the south end of the parkway. Lorena Sternwheeler operates May until October in Zanesville. * Note, McConnelsville south lock # 7 is closed this year. Operation in 98 on the rest of the locks is 8 am to 4pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

O'Shaughnessy Res. / Griggs Res. (Scioto River) . 1330 / 364 Acres Columbus / Delaware-Franklin Counties. Must mention because of Columbus Boaters. Watch for no wake and ski areas. O'Shaughnessy adjacent to Columbus Zoo but zoo is not accessible from boat. Sailing, Skiing, canoeing only on O'Shaughnessy. Fuel, Rental Docks and Picnicking available on both. Check for special events in Columbus Dispatch. Sailing suggested for Hoover Res. (3300 Acres) 6 hp limit.

Alum Creek State Park . 3387 Acres. Delaware County north of Columbus. Various Free launch, Unlimited HP. Camping, Rentals, Fuel, Fishing, Swimming, Skiing, Sailing, Picnicking, Scuba (by permission), Ice Boating, Canoeing. Note.. Para-sailing by permission. Great for boat camping, also excellent coves for fishing, swimming (designated). No wake zone north of US 36. Columbus weekend boating traffic may cause heavy wakes. (614) 548-4631. Click Here For a Detailed Map of Alum Creek Reservoir .

Berlin Res. 3590 Acres. Portage County. Unlimited H.P. Free Launch Ramps near dam, Fishing, Sailing, Canoeing, Skiing, Picnicking, Rental Docks, Fuel, Rental Boats, Swimming, Ice Boating, Scuba Diving. Click here for pdf map

Buck Creek State Park (C.J. Brown Res.). 2120 Acres. Clark County near Springfield. Free launch, Unlimited HP. Camping, Rentals, Fuel, Fishing, Swimming, Sailing, Picnicking, Scuba, Ice Boating, Canoeing. (513) 322-5284. Click Here for pdf map.

Buckeye Lake. 3300 Acres. Various Free launch, Unlimited HP. Camping, Rentals, Fuel, Fishing, Swimming, Skiing, Sailing, Picnicking, Ice Boating, Canoeing. Note.. Shallow in some areas. Average 5-8 feet in depth. Buckeye Lake is South of Newark near I-70. Suggested events: Sweet Corn Festival in Fall in Millersport. Click here for pdf map.

Branch Reservoir / West Branch State Park. Skiing, Fishing, Sailing, Campsites, Picnic Grounds, Fishing, Ramps, Marina, Fuel, Information Area. Surrounded by dense forest, this lake is popular for all water sports activities. Located just east of Ravenna, Ohio off Ravenna Warren Rd.
Clear Fork Resorvoir. 971 Acres, 15 miles of shoreline. Boating, Fishing, Sailing, Beach, Campgrounds, Marina, Picnic area, Boating Speed Limit 8 mph. Located near Mansfield. Click for pdf map

Caesar Creek Res. Caesar Creek State Park. 2830 Acres. Warren County. Unlimited H.P.. Free Launch Ramps, Fishing, Sailing, Canoeing, Skiing, Picnicking, Swimming, Ice Boating. (513) 897-3055. Click Here for pdf map.

Deer Creek Lake, Deer Creek State Park. 1277 Acres. Pickaway County. Unlimited H.P. Free Launch Ramps, Fishing, Sailing, Canoeing, Skiing, Picnicking, Rental Docks, Fuel, Rental Boats, Swimming, Ice Boating. (614) 869-3124.

Delaware State Park. 1330 Acres. Delaware County at Delaware State Park. A little smaller but nice lower traffic lake. Two Free Launch Ramps, Unlimited HP. Camping, Rentals, Fuel, Skiing, Fishing, Swimming, Sailing, Picnicking, Canoeing. (614) 369-2761.

Grand Lake St. Marys. 13,849 Acres. Auglaize County. Various places to launch, Unlimited HP. Camping, Rentals, Fuel, Fishing, Swimming, Sailing, Skiing, Picnicking, Scuba, Ice Boating, Canoeing, also can use Air Boats and Hovercraft in ski / open zones. (419) 394-3611.

Indian Lake. 5800 Acres. Logan County. Unlimited HP. Camping (including 20 boat campsites), Rentals, Fuel, Fishing, Swimming, Skiing, Sailing, Picnicking, Skiing, Cabins, Canoeing. Ice Boating, Note.. Shallow in some areas. Fast Food available from water. Indian Lake State Park 937-843-2717. Extra Information at http://www.indianlake.com .

Marsha Lake. 2160 Acres. Clermont County at East Fork State Park. Free Launch, Unlimited HP. Camping, Fishing, Swimming, Skiing, Sailing, Picnicking, Swimming, Canoeing. Note.. No Fuel. (513) 734-4323.

Michael J. Kirwin Res. West Branch State Park. 2650 Acres. Portage County. Unlimited H.P. Free Launch Ramps, Fishing, Sailing, Canoeing, Skiing, Picnicking, Rental Docks, Fuel, Rental Boats, Swimming, Ice Boating. (216) 296-3239.

Mosquito Creek, Mosquito Creek State Park. 7850 Acres. Trumbull County. Unlimited H.P. Free Launch Ramps, Fishing, Sailing, Canoeing, Skiing, Picnicking, Rental Docks, Fuel, Rental Boats, Swimming, Ice Boating. Airboats, Hovercraft in ski/speed zones. (216) 637-2856.

Paint Creek Lake / Rocky Fork Lake. 1200 / 2080 Acres. Both in Highland County West of Chillicothe. Free Launch, Unlimited HP. Camping, Rentals, Fuel, Fishing, Swimming, Skiing, Sailing, Picnicking, (Scuba, Ice Boating on Paint Creek Lake). Canoeing. Very Scenic Area!. Click here for pdf map.

Salt Fork Res. 2952 Acres. Guernsey County North of I-70 / I-77 Interchange Cambridge. Various Free launch ramps, Unlimited HP. Camping, Rentals, Fuel, Fishing, Swimming, Skiing, Sailing, Picnicking, Cabins, Camping with boat slips, Canoeing. Note.. One of Ohio's best State Parks. McDonalds available at Beach accessible from boaters swimming area. Highly suggested in Fall when leaves change. Be sure to check out the golf course and lodge in Salt Fork State Park. (614) 439-3521. Click Here for pdf map.

Seneca Lake. 3550 Acres in Noble County just south of Cambridge, accessible off I-70 or I-77. 180 H.P. Max. Free Launch Ramps near dam, Fishing, Sailing, Canoeing, Skiing, Picnicking, Rental Docks, Fuel, Rental Boats, Swimming, Ice Boating. Cabins are available along with camping with slips or docks. Islands are also a fun stop!. There is a full service marina at the north end of the lake, and a restaurant overlooks the slips. I personally recommend this lake if your in the Southeastern Ohio Area. (216) 343-6647. Click Here for pdf map.

Tappan Lake. 2350 Acres. Free launch Ramps, 120 HP. Harrison County in East Central Ohio N.E. of Salt Fork. Camping, Rentals, Fuel, Fishing, Swimming, Skiing, Sailing, Picnicking, Ice Boating, Canoeing. (216) 343-6647. Click Here for pdf map.

Ward Canal "Metzger Marsh State Park". Lucas County. Unlimited HP. Camping, Slip Rentals, Fishing, Skiing, Sailing, Picnicking, Canoeing. (419) 424-5000.
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