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Ottawa State Fishing Lake’s primary purpose is to provide quality fishing opportunities. Recreational pursuits compatible with this purpose are also encouraged.
The lake has a good population of black bass, channel catfish, crappie, and sunfish. Saugeye and wipers have been stocked recently as additional predators for crappie and gizzard shad control. The lake has a few big flatheads and enough carp to provide some line tugging action. Ten earthen fishing piers and active shoreline maintenance provide good fishing access.
Lotus pads provide excellent habitat for fish and lanes are mowed through aquatic vegetation to increase angler access. Brush piles are maintained to concentrate fish and make excellent crappie fishing spots.
Channel catfish populations are maintained with annual stockings of 8-12” fish. Three automatic fish feeders are operated from May through October to enhance catfish growth.
The lake has two boat ramps and courtesy docks. Motorized boats are welcome on the lake but must be operated for fishing purposes at no wake speeds only.
Free primitive camping is allowed in designated areas only around the lake. Fourteen days maximum per stay. No utilities are offered for RVs.
In addition to white tail deer and turkey, 200-300 Canada geese winter here. Alert visitors during the winter months will also periodically see a bald eagle. Wildlife viewing and photography opportunities exist year-round on the lake and wildlife area.
Deer, turkey, quail, pheasant, squirrel, and rabbit are pursued on 210 acres open to public hunting. Due to the small area and surrounding housing developments, hunting opportunities are limited. For safety purposes, hunting is limited to shotgun and archery only.
There are three vault toilets, numerous picnic tables and fire rings, and a large reservable group shelter house on the area. There are no public showers, trash bins or utility hook-ups.
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