Deer Creek Lake
Deer Creek Lake
- Boat Ramps
- 3
- Access Points
- 6
- Species
- 16
Deer Creek Lake is a 1,277-acre reservoir located in central Ohio, spanning Fayette and Pickaway counties, approximately 35 miles south of Columbus and 14 miles from Washington Court House. Created by damming Deer Creek (a tributary of the Scioto River), this recreational gem features approximately 19.4 miles of shoreline and serves as both a flood control project and popular outdoor recreation destination. With an average depth of 16.5 feet and maximum depth of 40 feet, Deer Creek Lake offers diverse fishing opportunities for anglers throughout the year and is surrounded by a 7,575-acre recreational area including both state park and wildlife management lands.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Deer Creek Lake and what's needed to catch them.
Find which waters have the species you want to catch
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
Walleye
Sander vitreus
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Black Bullhead
Ameiurus melas
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Brown Bullhead
Ameiurus nebulosus
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
Freshwater Drum
Aplodinotus grunniens
Rock Bass
Ambloplites rupestris
Sauger
Sander canadensis
White Bass
Morone chrysops
White Crappie
Pomoxis annularis
Yellow Bullhead
Ameiurus natalis
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Deer Creek Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
Know where you can legally fish on Deer Creek Lake
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
Ohio licenses and regulations
Ohio Boating Regulations
When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.
Ohio Fishing License
Persons under 16 years of age are not required to purchase a fishing license.
Ohio Fishing Regulations
This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.
Ohio Stream Access Laws
Ohio does not believe there is a precise definition for navigability, so it is determined on a case-by-case basis. However, the state generally accepts waterways capable of recreational boating, with a history of recreation and with public access. The public is allowed to recreate freely on all navigable waters but streambeds are not publicly owned.
Take Deer Creek Lake with you
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Use the map without signal
Download the map around Deer Creek Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Deer Creek Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.
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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish Deer Creek Lake and check the forecast before you go.
Deer Creek near Pancoastburg OH
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Fish species
Fishing spots
- Deer Creek State Park East Ramp Boat Ramp
- Deer Creek State Park West Boat Ramp
- Deer Creek Wildlife Area Marina
- Deer Creek Wildlife Area Fishing Access
- Deer Creek Wildlife Area Fishing Access
- Deer Creek State Park Fishing Access
- Deer Creek Bridge
- Clarks Run Bridge
- Duffs Fork Bridge
- North Fork Paint Creek Bridge
- N Fork Paint Ck - Post R Bridge
- N.f.paint-bloom.new Holl Bridge
- All 32 spots
Nearby waters
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