Author: FFP Ai Bot

Findlay Reservoir #2, looking east from the boat launch area. Photo: Andrew VanAtta / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.

NORTHWEST OHIO – You do not need a boat, a lake house or a long drive to catch fish around here. Fostoria, Findlay and Tiffin sit in the middle of some of the best public fishing water in this corner of Ohio: city upground reservoirs stocked by the state, park district ponds built for kids, and two rivers, the Blanchard and the Sandusky, that run right through town.

This guide lists every public fishing spot we could confirm with an official source, such as the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, city ordinances and park district websites. Each listing notes boat and motor limits, hours and access. Rules change, so check posted signs and the current Ohio fishing regulations before you go. If we could not confirm that a spot is open to public fishing, we left it out.

Quick reference: public fishing spots at a glance

Species in this table come from ODNR stocking records and ODNR lake-map “hot spot” data where available. “Not posted” means we could not find an official listing for that item. ADA means accessible parking or piers are noted by an official source.

Spot	City/area	Water	Likely species	Shore/boat	Boat rules	ADA noted	Parking
Lake Daugherty (Res. #1)	Fostoria	11-acre reservoir	Channel catfish (stocked)	Shore only	No boats	Not posted	Yes
Lake Mottram (Res. #2)	Fostoria	17-acre reservoir	Channel catfish (stocked)	Shore only	No boats	Not posted	Yes
Lake Lamberjack (Res. #3)	Fostoria	31.7-acre reservoir	Rainbow trout (spring), channel catfish	Shore and boat	10 hp max, 26 ft max, no wake	Not posted	Yes
Lake Mosier (Res. #4)	Fostoria	91-acre reservoir	Not posted	Shore and boat	10 hp max, 26 ft max, no wake	Not posted	Yes
Lake LeComte (Res. #5)	Fostoria (Hancock Co.)	128-acre reservoir	Saugeye, channel catfish	Shore and boat	9.9-10 hp max, no wake	Parking at ramp	Ramp lot, east lot
Veterans Memorial (Res. #6)	Fostoria (Hancock Co.)	180-acre reservoir	Saugeye, yellow perch, channel catfish	Shore and boat	10 hp max, 26 ft max, no wake	Not posted	Ramp lot, east lot
Findlay Reservoir #1	Findlay	186-acre reservoir	Saugeye, walleye, yellow perch	Shore, pier, boat	Electric only	Parking at ramp	Yes
Findlay Reservoir #2	Findlay	About 645-acre reservoir	Walleye, saugeye, yellow perch, smallmouth, crappie, catfish, sunfish	Shore, pier, boat	Gas outboard 9.9 hp max	Parking at ramp	5 lots
Giertz Lake, Riverbend	Findlay	Park lake	Rainbow trout (spring), channel catfish, bluegill	Two piers	No gas motors	Not posted	Yes
Shank and Dold lakes, Oakwoods	Findlay	Park lakes	Not posted	Piers; launch at Shank	No gas motors	Not posted	Yes
Blanchard River sites (Riverside, Waterfalls, Eastpoint, Karg Well, Liberty and Blanchard landings)	Findlay area	River	Not posted	Shore; paddle launches	Paddle craft	Not posted	Yes
Junior Home Park	Tiffin	Sandusky River	River species	Shore	Kayak access	Not posted	Yes
Clinton Nature Preserve / Schekelhoff Park	Tiffin	Sandusky River	River species	Shore	Paddle access	Not posted	Clinton lot closed Nov. 1-April 1
Abbott’s Bridge Scenic River Access	North of Tiffin	Sandusky River	River species	Shore; small boat launch	Small craft	Not posted	Yes
Beaver Creek Reservoir	NE Seneca Co.	110-acre reservoir	Walleye, yellow perch, largemouth, crappie, catfish, sunfish	Shore and boat	Electric only	Not posted	Yes
Garlo Heritage Nature Preserve	Bloomville	Ponds	Not posted	Shore only	No watercraft	Not posted	Yes

Fostoria: six city reservoirs

Fostoria owns six reservoirs with more than 450 acres of water, and every one of them is open to fishing with a valid Ohio fishing license, according to Destination Seneca County. Five are named for Fostoria war heroes, and the newest honors all veterans. Each one has a walking trail.

City rules that apply at all six reservoirs (from Chapter 951 of the Fostoria Codified Ordinances):

• The reservoirs close from dusk to dawn, but fishing from the dikes and banks is allowed 24 hours a day. Boat fishing is also allowed around the clock on the reservoirs that permit boats.
• No boats of any kind on Reservoirs 1 and 2. On Reservoirs 3, 4, 5 and 6, boats are limited to 26 feet and 10 horsepower, must stay at no-wake speed, and must have a state registration and proper safety equipment.
• Ice fishing is allowed only on Reservoirs 5 and 6, and only when the ice is thick enough to be safe.
• No fishing from the boat ramp or pier at Reservoirs 5 and 6.
• No swimming, alcohol or drugs, and no throwing or moving the riprap stone.

One more rule to know: Fostoria City Council voted this fall to ban feeding geese and ducks, which have been gathering along the walking paths at Reservoirs 2 and 3. Read our story on the waterfowl feeding ban.

Lake Daugherty (Reservoir #1)

This 11-acre reservoir has a 0.6-mile stone trail through a wooded area at the edge of town. It is shore fishing only. ODNR stocking records show channel catfish stocked here in past years, most recently in 2020, and rainbow trout in earlier years.

Lake Mottram (Reservoir #2)

Seventeen acres of water near the city park, circled by a paved 0.69-mile trail. No boats are allowed, which keeps it quiet for bank anglers. ODNR records show channel catfish stockings here over the years.

Lake Lamberjack (Reservoir #3)

Next door to Lake Mottram, Lamberjack has 31.7 acres of water and a paved 1.29-mile trail. Small boats are allowed under the city’s 10-horsepower, no-wake rules. Lamberjack is Fostoria’s spring trout spot. ODNR stocking records show catchable-size rainbow trout released here every spring in recent years, including about 600 fish in 2026. Check ODNR’s trout stocking schedule each spring for dates.

Lake Mosier (Reservoir #4)

At 91 acres with a 1.49-mile stone trail, Mosier is open to fishing and boating under the same city rules. We could not find recent ODNR stocking records for it, so we are not listing species. Ask at a local bait shop or watch what other anglers are catching.

Lake LeComte (Reservoir #5)

LeComte sits in Washington Township, Hancock County, about three miles southwest of Fostoria, according to ODNR. The boat ramp and main parking lot are at the northwest corner off Washington Township Road 217, and a second lot is on the east side off Hancock County Road 23. ODNR notes handicapped-accessible parking near the boat ramp and lists a 9.9-hp motor limit, while the city ordinance caps motors at 10 hp. ODNR has stocked saugeye fingerlings here almost every year, and channel catfish in some years. Ice fishing is permitted when it is safe.

Veterans Memorial Reservoir (Reservoir #6)

The newest and largest of the six was completed in 1991. ODNR says it was built with features meant to boost fish production and harvest, including fishing reefs, spawning shelves and a stump area. The boat ramp and main lot are on the north edge off Washington Township Road 218, just off State Route 12, and a second lot is on the east side. ODNR stocking records show saugeye and yellow perch fingerlings released here nearly every year, plus channel catfish in some years. Ice fishing is allowed here when conditions are safe.

Findlay: big reservoirs and the Blanchard River

Findlay Reservoirs #1 and #2

Southeast of Findlay off State Route 37, these two upground reservoirs share a dike and are open to public fishing through a cooperative agreement between the city and the ODNR Division of Wildlife. Reservoir #2 covers about 645 acres and is one of the largest upground reservoirs in Ohio, according to the City of Findlay.

• Reservoir #1 (186 acres): electric motors only. It has a primitive boat ramp, a floating fishing pier near the ramp and handicapped-accessible parking. To get there, take Hancock County Road 205 about a mile past County Road 234, according to the ODNR Findlay Reservoir #1 page.
• Reservoir #2: gasoline outboards up to 9.9 hp. It has a floating fishing pier, restrooms at the boat ramp, five parking areas on Township Road 207 and handicapped-accessible parking near the ramp.
• Species: ODNR stocks walleye, saugeye and yellow perch fingerlings in both reservoirs. ODNR’s lake map also marks Reservoir #2 hot spots for catfish, crappie, smallmouth bass and sunfish.
• City rules (as posted in the city’s reservoir rules): fishing is allowed 24 hours a day from boats, banks and fishing docks, but not from the launching dock. Swimming and camping are prohibited. Ice fishers must be 18 or older or with an adult, and shelters must come off the ice daily. Walking or skating on the ice for any other reason is prohibited.

Riverbend Recreation Area: Giertz Lake

Riverbend, at 16618 Township Road 208, was the Hancock Park District’s first park. It sits less than a mile north of Reservoir #2. Giertz Lake has two fishing piers, and ODNR stocking records show rainbow trout released there each spring, along with catchable channel catfish and bluegill in recent years. The park also has restrooms, playgrounds, a primitive campground and access to the Blanchard River Water Trail.

Oakwoods Nature Preserve: Shank and Dold lakes

Oakwoods, at 1400 Oakwoods Lane, has two fishing lakes. Shank Lake has a boat launch, fishing pier and observation area, and Dold Lake has a fishing pier and observation area. The preserve also has restrooms and the Richard S. “Doc” Phillips Discovery Center.

Blanchard River access in and around Findlay

The Hancock Park District lists these Blanchard River spots as public fishing access areas:

• Riverside Park Waterfront at Riverside Park, 231 McManness Ave.
• Waterfalls Area, 923 E. Main Cross St., across the river from Riverside Park. It has river fishing access and a spot to launch canoes and kayaks.
• Eastpoint Area, on East Main Cross Street at the Bright Road bridge. It has fishing access, a kayak launch and picnic sites.
• Great Karg Well Historical Site, at Liberty and River streets. It has undeveloped river access for fishing.
• Liberty Landing (Township Road 89, west of County Road 140) and Blanchard Landing (State Route 235, south of U.S. 224 West). Both are developed river access sites with parking.

Hancock Park District rules: parks are open sunrise to sunset, but anglers and boaters may use the designated Blanchard River access areas outside those hours. No gasoline motors are allowed on park district lakes or waterways, and electric motors must run at no-wake speed.

Tiffin: the Sandusky River

The Sandusky River is Tiffin’s fishing water. One rule matters more here than anywhere else in this guide. The Lake Erie Sport Fishing District rules for walleye, sauger, saugeye, yellow perch, black bass and white bass extend up the Sandusky River to the Waterworks Dam in Tiffin. Every spring from March 1 through April 30, special rules apply from that dam downstream. Anglers may use only a single hook no larger than 1/2 inch, and fishing is allowed only from sunrise to sunset between the Waterworks Dam and Brady’s Island in Fremont. These dates come from the 2026-27 Ohio Fishing Regulations, so check the new booklet each year.

Junior Home Park

The City of Tiffin calls this north-side park along the Sandusky River “a great place for fishing, kayaking or a picnic.” It has shade, two picnic shelters and river access. ODNR’s Sandusky River map places the access at the Huss Street bridge.

Nature Trails Park

This 11-acre city park on East Davis Street sits on the banks of the Sandusky River. It has river access, a playground, a paved walking path and a picnic shelter, which makes it an easy family stop.

Schekelhoff Park and Clinton Nature Preserve

Schekelhoff Park has a half-mile paved trail along the river, and the City of Tiffin says the stone trail beyond it into Clinton Nature Preserve offers fishing, kayaking and bird watching. Clinton Nature Preserve and Sandusky River Access, at 400 E. Township Road 132, is run jointly by the Seneca County Park District, Clinton Township and ODNR. The Clinton access lane and parking lot close every year from Nov. 1 to April 1, but you can still reach the preserve through the Schekelhoff entrance.

Abbott’s Bridge Scenic River Access

About seven miles north of Tiffin on North County Road 33, this Sandusky River access has parking, small-boat access and fishing access, according to Destination Seneca County. It shares a lot with the north entrance of the Seneca County Park District’s Steyer Nature Preserve, at 5901 N. County Road 33.

Seneca County Park District rules: parks are open sunrise to sunset, swimming is prohibited, and all watercraft must follow Ohio boating law.

Hedges-Boyer Park: people often ask about it, but the City of Tiffin’s park page does not list fishing among its amenities, so we have not included it here.

Worth the drive: nearby bonus spots

• Beaver Creek Reservoir (Seneca County): a 110-acre ODNR fishing area in northeastern Seneca County, about 5 miles southwest of Clyde, off Township Road 196 near State Route 101. Electric motors only. ODNR stocks walleye and yellow perch here, and its lake map marks hot spots for largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and sunfish.
• Garlo Heritage Nature Preserve (Bloomville): at 6777 S. State Route 19. Seneca County Park District rules allow catch-and-release fishing in the preserve’s ponds with a valid Ohio license. No boats, canoes or inflatables are allowed without a special permit.
• Bradner Preserve (Wood County): the Wood County Park District allows bank fishing here. No boats, kayaks or ice fishing are allowed, and the district sets its own creel limits (for example, all bass under 15 inches must be released). Parks are open 8 a.m. to sunset.
• Bellevue Reservoirs 4 and 5 (Huron County): 32 and 85 acres. ODNR lists them as electric-motor-only waters and stocks saugeye.
• Willard Reservoir (Huron County): 199 acres at 2954 State Route 61. The City of Willard allows bank fishing around the clock, electric motors only, and boats up to 25 feet. A free boat permit from Willard City Hall is required, and kayakers are asked to get one too. Ice fishing is allowed at your own risk, but no shanties or petroleum products are allowed on the ice.

What about Van Buren Lake? Check before you go. ODNR is removing the Van Buren Lake dam as part of a Rocky Ford Creek restoration project, and the agency says the lake has been drawn down and is not navigable. Stay out of the lake bed and the construction areas.

Ohio fishing license basics

Anyone 16 or older needs an Ohio fishing license to fish public waters, including private waters opened to the public through an agreement with the Division of Wildlife. You must carry your license, though showing it on your phone is fine. Licenses are sold through the ODNR fishing license page (wildohio.gov), on the free HuntFish OH app and at license agents.

The 2026-27 regulations booklet lists these prices:

• Resident annual license: $25
• Resident one-day license: $14
• Resident senior annual license (65 and older, born on or after Jan. 1, 1938): $10
• Nonresident annual license: $76.96
• Nonresident three-day license: $52

Ohio residents born on or before Dec. 31, 1937, can get a free license. Free licenses are also available, by application, for certain disabled veterans, former prisoners of war and some anglers with mobility impairments. A transaction fee may apply to online sales.

Free Fishing Days

Every June, Ohio holds two Free Fishing Days when Ohio residents can fish public waters without a license. In 2026 they fell on June 20 and 21. All size and daily limits still apply. ODNR announces the dates each year, and they are a perfect time to try one of the kid-friendly spots below.

Species, seasons and limits

• Spring: ODNR releases catchable rainbow trout at Lake Lamberjack in Fostoria and Giertz Lake at Riverbend, so check the ODNR trout stocking schedule for dates. ODNR’s spring fishing reports track the Sandusky River walleye and white bass run. Remember the special March-April rules below Tiffin’s Waterworks Dam.
• Summer: ODNR data point to catfish, sunfish and bass in many of these reservoirs and park lakes, all reachable from shore.
• Fall and winter: the state stocks saugeye, walleye and yellow perch in Fostoria’s and Findlay’s big reservoirs. Ice fishing is allowed only where local rules permit it.
• Statewide daily limits (2026-27 booklet, inland waters): 5 black bass with a 12-inch minimum, 6 walleye, sauger and saugeye combined, 30 yellow perch, 5 trout, and 1 channel catfish 28 inches or longer. Site-specific rules, the Lake Erie district rules and park district rules can be stricter.

Kid-friendly spots

• Giertz Lake at Riverbend (Findlay): it has two fishing piers, restrooms and playgrounds. The Hancock Park District also holds an annual spring Fish Festival for young anglers, with trout stocked beforehand by ODNR. Children must do the fishing themselves, but limited adult help is allowed.
• Findlay Reservoir floating piers: both reservoirs have floating fishing piers near the ramps, and Reservoir #2 has restrooms.
• Lake Mottram and Lake Lamberjack (Fostoria): paved trails next to the city park. Mottram allows no boats, and Lamberjack gets spring trout.
• Nature Trails Park (Tiffin): river access next to a playground.

Children under 16 do not need a license. For a feel-good local fishing story, read how Charles, 79, fulfilled a lifelong fishing dream with help from the Seneca County Opportunity Center.

Reservoir safety and ice fishing cautions

• No ice is 100 percent safe. ODNR’s ice thickness guidelines call for at least 4 inches of new, clear, solid ice for walking or ice fishing on foot. Test the ice often as you move, and carry ice picks, a rope and a throwable flotation device.
• Reservoirs are trickier than ponds. Last winter the City of Fostoria warned that uneven depths, currents, and the intake and outlet structures can leave hidden weak spots in the ice and create strong pull underneath. Read the city’s ice safety notice. Willard likewise tells ice anglers to avoid its inlet and outlet areas.
• Know the local ice rules. In Fostoria, ice fishing is allowed only on Reservoirs 5 and 6. In Findlay, ice fishing is limited to those 18 and older or with an adult. Wood County Park District ponds ban ice fishing.
• Riprap dikes are steep and slick. Wear good shoes, keep kids close, and remember that swimming is banned at these reservoirs.
• Watch for algae. ODNR suggests checking the Ohio Department of Health BeachGuard site for water quality advisories. Willard advises avoiding water that looks like spilled paint or has surface scum.
• Stay away from dams. ODNR’s Sandusky River paddling map marks several dams in Tiffin, including the Waterworks Dam, which boaters must portage around.
• In an emergency, call 911.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a fishing license to fish the Fostoria reservoirs?
Yes. Anyone 16 or older needs a valid Ohio fishing license. Children under 16 fish free.

Can I use a boat on the Fostoria reservoirs?
Not on Reservoirs 1 and 2. On Reservoirs 3 through 6, boats up to 26 feet with motors of 10 hp or less are allowed at no-wake speed with a state registration.

Can I fish at night in Fostoria or Findlay?
Yes. Fostoria allows bank and dike fishing 24 hours a day, and Findlay’s posted rules allow fishing 24 hours a day from boats, banks and fishing docks at Reservoirs #1 and #2.

What motors are allowed on the Findlay reservoirs?
Electric motors only on Reservoir #1, and gasoline outboards up to 9.9 hp on Reservoir #2, according to ODNR.

Where can I catch trout near Fostoria and Findlay?
ODNR stocks rainbow trout each spring at Lake Lamberjack in Fostoria and Giertz Lake at Riverbend Recreation Area near Findlay.

When is Ohio’s Free Fishing weekend?
Ohio holds two Free Fishing Days each June for Ohio residents. In 2026 they were June 20 and 21. Check ODNR for next year’s dates.

Is Van Buren Lake open for fishing?
ODNR says the lake has been drawn down and is not navigable during the Van Buren dam removal project. Check ODNR for updates.

Know a public fishing spot we missed, or a rule that has changed? Let us know and we will check it and update this guide.

Sources

• https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/fostoria/latest/fostoria_oh/0-0-0-11856
• https://www.destinationsenecacounty.org/place/fostoria-reservoirs/
• https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/lake-lecomte-fishing-area
• https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/veterans-memorial-reservoir-fishing-area
• https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/findlay-reservoir-1-fishing-area
• https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/findlay-reservoirs-2-fishing-area
• https://www.findlayohio.gov/government/city-departments/water/reservoir
• https://ohiodnr.gov/buy-and-apply/hunting-fishing-boating/fishing-resources/fish-stocking-records
• https://gis2.ohiodnr.gov/arcgis/rest/services/DOW_Services/DOW_LakeFishing/MapServer
• https://hancockparks.com/things-to-do/
• https://hancockparks.com/parks/riverbend-recreation-area/
• https://hancockparks.com/parks/oakwoods-nature-preserve/
• https://hancockparks.com/parks/waterfalls-area/
• https://hancockparks.com/parks/eastpoint-area/
• https://hancockparks.com/parks/great-karg-well-historical-site/
• https://hancockparks.com/parks/jackson-liberty-blanchard-landing/
• https://hancockparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/park-regulatons-4-19-23.pdf
• https://www.tiffinohio.gov/departments/parks-rec/parks/junior-home
• https://www.tiffinohio.gov/departments/parks-rec/parks/nature-trails
• https://www.tiffinohio.gov/departments/parks-rec/parks/schekelhoff
• https://www.tiffinohio.gov/departments/parks-rec/parks/hedges-boyer
• https://www.senecacountyparks.com/places/clinton-nature-preserve
• https://www.senecacountyparks.com/places/steyer-nature-preserve
• https://www.senecacountyparks.com/places/garlo-heritage-nature-preserve
• https://www.senecacountyparks.com/upload/documents/scpd-park-rules-regs.pdf
• https://www.destinationsenecacounty.org/place/abbotts-bridge-scenic-river-access/
• https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/ohiodnr.gov/documents/parks/streammaps/SanduskyRiver.pdf
• https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/beaver-creek-reservoir-fishing-area
• https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/land-water/inland-lakes/horsepower-limits
• https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/ohiodnr.gov/documents/wildlife/maps/BellevueReservoirs.pdf
• https://www.willardohio.gov/uploads/1/4/4/5/144541287/reservoir_faq_for_website__3_.pdf
• https://wcparks.org/parks/
• https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/van-buren-lake-fishing-area
• https://ohiodnr.gov/business-and-industry/business-opportunities/improvement-projects/van-buren-dam-removal
• https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/ohiodnr.gov/documents/wildlife/laws-regs-licenses/OhioFishingRegs_English
• https://ohiodnr.gov/buy-and-apply/hunting-fishing-boating/fishing-resources/fishing-licenses
• https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/recreational-safety/ice-thickness-guidelines
• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Findlay_Reservoir_2.jpg