Fishing at Dow Lake
Fishing Information
Boating
Fishing Guides
Food
Real Estate
Lodging
Fishing in Ohio
Ohio Fishing Information
Ohio Lakes
Ohio Reports
Ohio Photos
Ohio Tournaments
Catch More Fish
How to Videos
How to Articles
Fishing Reports
Fishing Gear
From The Forum
Freshwater Fishing
Boats, Motors, Trailers
Rods, Reels, and Tackle
State Discussion
Latest Ohio Report
Mogadore Reservoir - The fall crappie bite has continued to be good at Mogadore Reservoir despite the soggy weather. Crappie jigs and tubes is all it is taking to put... Continued
- Fishing Details
- Fishing Reports
- Catch Photos
- Solar Lunar Charts
- Local Businesses
Dow Lake is a Reservoir in Athens, Ohio.
Do you have a question about Dow Lake, ask it here.
The dam creating Dow Lake was completed in 1960. The land and water area is owned and managed by the ODNR Division of Parks and Recreation for recreational purposes. The topography includes steep hills, open fields, and woodland. The lake encompasses 171 acres at normal pool with a shoreline length of 6.4 miles. The maximum depth is 33 feet.
Dow Lake has populations of largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, and bluegill. The ODNR Division of Wildlife stocks channel catfish yearlings in alternate years. Catchable rainbow trout are stocked annually in the spring. Gizzard shad is the main forage species.
Better largemouth bass fishing can be found in the spring and fall. As springtime water temperatures warm up, bass will move into shallow water areas to feed and to prepare for spawning. Fish near shallow structure such as tree stumps, fallen trees or weed bed edges. Spinner baits, rubber worms, crankbaits, and jig/pig combinations work well.
Warm summer water temperatures will usually push fish into deeper depths. Fishing during the early morning hours or in the evening will provide better results. Cooler, fall temperatures will trigger bass to move back in the shallow water areas. Fishing success may pick up as bass prepare for winter.
Bluegill can be caught throughout the lake from early spring until fall. Popular methods include waxworms or redworms fished below a bobber. Look for spawning beds in shallow water during the spring and throughout the summer. Many bluegill can be found concentrated in these areas.
Channel catfish angling picks up by mid-June. Night crawlers, chicken livers, or prepared catfish baits work well when fished on the bottom. Night fishing for catfish is a popular method for catfish anglers.
Early spring trout anglers enjoy success using a variety of baits such as corn, cheese, small spinners, or prepared baits.
Designated camping areas, picnicking, and a beach are also located off the County Road 20 entrance. A number of hiking trails are provided. Hunting is permissible in designated areas.
Camping is available at
Strouds Run State Park
Location: 11661 State Park Road
Athens, Ohio 45701
(740) 592-2302 or 1-866-644-6727 for camping and getaway rental reservations
The Park includes:
78 non-electric sites
Latrines, waste drains, picnic tables and fire rings are provided
10 sites are available for campers with pets
Group camp area is available for organized groups on a reservation basis
A boat ramp is located off the County Road 20 (Stroud’s Run Road) entrance. A courtesy dock is located near the ramp. Shore access near the dam is provided off the U.S. Route 50 entrance.
Dow Lake has a 10-horsepower limit for outboard motors.
Wildlife District Four,
360 East State Street,
Athens, Ohio 45701
Telephone 740-589-9930.
Dow Lake is located within the 2,767-acre Stroud’s Run State Park. This public area is in Canaan Township, Athens County, approximately two miles east of Athens. Dow Lake is accessible off County Road 20 (Stroud’s Run Road). Dam access is located off U.S. Route 50.
Ohio - Mogadore Reservoir Fishing Report
The fall crappie bite has continued to be good at Mogadore Reservoir despite the soggy weather. Crappie jigs and tubes is all it is taking to put some... Continued
Ohio - Ottawa Reservoir Fishing Report
Try fishing for saugeye, channel catfish, and crappie in this small above ground reservoir. For saugeye, try using minnows, nightcrawlers, and jigwor... Continued
Ohio - Buckeye Lake Fishing Report
As water temperatures cool, hybrid striped bass will again feed more actively. Try chicken livers fished on the bottom or troll spinners along the no... Continued
Solar Lunar Best Fishing Times - Dow Lake, Ohio
Dow Lake, Ohio - Solar Lunar Chart - May 26, 2012
Moon Phase ![]() | Waxing Crescent | Sun Phase ![]() |
Rise 5:06 Transit 12:25 Set 19:45 | Fish Major Periods 16:33 - 19:03 5:15 - 7:45 | Activity Minor Periods 0:00 - 0:00 9:35 - 11:05 | Day Rating |
Dow Lake, Ohio - Solar Lunar Chart - May 27, 2012
Moon Phase ![]() | Waxing Crescent | Sun Phase ![]() |
Rise 5:05 Transit 12:25 Set 19:46 | Fish Major Periods 17:20 - 19:50 6:02 - 8:32 | Activity Minor Periods 0:00 - 0:00 10:38 - 12:08 | Day Rating |
Dow Lake, Ohio - Solar Lunar Chart - May 28, 2012
Moon Phase ![]() | First Quarter at 15:20 | Sun Phase ![]() |
Rise 5:05 Transit 12:25 Set 19:46 | Fish Major Periods 18:07 - 20:37 6:49 - 9:19 | Activity Minor Periods 0:00 - 0:00 11:42 - 13:12 | Day Rating |
Dow Lake, Ohio - Solar Lunar Chart - May 29, 2012
Moon Phase ![]() | Waxing Gibbous | Sun Phase ![]() |
Rise 5:04 Transit 12:25 Set 19:47 | Fish Major Periods 18:56 - 21:26 7:37 - 10:07 | Activity Minor Periods 0:25 - 1:55 12:47 - 14:17 | Day Rating |
Dow Lake, Ohio - Solar Lunar Chart - May 30, 2012
Moon Phase ![]() | Waxing Gibbous | Sun Phase ![]() |
Rise 5:04 Transit 12:25 Set 19:48 | Fish Major Periods 19:46 - 22:16 8:27 - 10:57 | Activity Minor Periods 0:56 - 2:26 13:56 - 15:26 | Day Rating |
Businesses Located Near Dow Lake
Boating
- Marietta Rv & Outdoor World
- 98 Starlite Dr
- Marietta, Ohio
- (740) 373-3384
- Wright's Riverside Marine
- Sr 2 S
- St Marys, West Virginia
- (304) 684-2850
- Marietta Polaris
- 27425 Oh-7
- Marietta, Ohio
- (740) 374-5766
Fishing Guides
- Reelflyrod.com
- Centerville, Ohio
- (937) 434-8472
- High Point Taxidermy
- 14898 Oh-13
- Thornville, Ohio
- (740) 246-4999
- Fresh Catch Charter
- 337 Greenfield Ave
- Lancaster, Ohio
- (740) 687-1347
Food
- Red Brick Sports Pub
- 14 N Court St
- Athens, Ohio
- (740) 594-2077
- Casa Nueva
- 4 W State St
- Athens, Ohio
- (740) 592-2016
- Pigskin Sports Bar & Grill
- 38 N Court St
- Athens, Ohio
- (740) 594-5002
Real Estate
- Lepi & Associates Real Estate Services
- 1535 Maple Ave
- Zanesville, Ohio
- (740) 455-3730
- Chamberlin, Russell - Athens Real Estate Company
- 540 W Union St, #A
- Athens, Ohio
- (740) 589-4600
- Wooddell, William - Hayes Real Estate
- 298 E State St
- Athens, Ohio
- (740) 593-8867
Lodging
- Shawnee Inn
- 30916 Lake Logan Rd
- Logan, Ohio
- (740) 385-5674
- Monticello Village Rental Ofc
- 6 Monticello Dr
- Athens, Ohio
- (740) 593-6211
- Budget Host Coach Inn Athens
- 100 Albany Rd
- Athens, Ohio
- (740) 594-2294



































