Dow Lake fishing

Dow Lake fishing is stocked with Channel Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, and 3 more on a reservoir. It is stocked about 2.8 times a year since 1970, most often in January. Species guides list dusk and night for Channel Catfish, dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and Saugeye, and dawn, day, and dusk for Bluegill and Yellow Perch.

Illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
January 1, 2022
1,733 days ago · Rainbow Trout
Plants on record
146
Since 1970
Species recorded
9
Surface acres
172

Fish at Dow Lake

9 stocked · 0 confirmed present

Rainbow Trout Stocked · 62 plants · last January 1, 2022 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked January 1, 2022 · 62 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide
Channel Catfish Stocked · 46 plants · last January 1, 2019 Best: dusk, night

Last stocked January 1, 2019 · 46 plants

Best: dusk, night

Channel Catfish species guide
Golden Trout Stocked · 18 plants · last January 1, 2000 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked January 1, 2000 · 18 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Golden Trout species guide
Saugeye Stocked · 10 plants · last January 1, 2021 Best: dawn, dusk, night

Last stocked January 1, 2021 · 10 plants

Best: dawn, dusk, night

Saugeye species guide
Redear Sunfish Stocked · 3 plants · last January 1, 1978 Best: day

Last stocked January 1, 1978 · 3 plants

Best: day

Redear Sunfish species guide
Walleye Stocked · 3 plants · last January 1, 1972 Best: dawn, dusk, night

Last stocked January 1, 1972 · 3 plants

Best: dawn, dusk, night

Walleye species guide
Bluegill Stocked · 2 plants · last January 1, 1972 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked January 1, 1972 · 2 plants

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Bluegill species guide
Largemouth Bass Stocked · 1 plant · last January 1, 1979 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked January 1, 1979 · 1 plant

Best: dawn, dusk

Largemouth Bass species guide
Yellow Perch Stocked · 1 plant · last January 1, 1980 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked January 1, 1980 · 1 plant

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Yellow Perch species guide

How Dow Lake is stocked

Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

About 6,247 reported fish per acre, 2nd most of 4 lakes in Athens County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish stocked in 1970

60,472

Fish stocked in 1971

20,000

Fish stocked in 1972

179,100

Fish stocked in 1973

24,000

Fish stocked in 1974

3,002

Fish stocked in 1975

19,902

Fish stocked in 1976

8,400

Fish stocked in 1977

177,036

Fish stocked in 1978

28,925

Fish stocked in 1979

56,592

Fish stocked in 1980

11,870

Fish stocked in 1981

8,487

Fish stocked in 1982

19,010

Fish stocked in 1983

9,830

Fish stocked in 1984

6,450

Fish stocked in 1985

7,250

Fish stocked in 1986

5,500

Fish stocked in 1987

9,826

Fish stocked in 1988

6,582

Fish stocked in 1989

5,680

Fish stocked in 1991

8,081

Fish stocked in 1992

4,003

Fish stocked in 1993

8,002

Fish stocked in 1994

3,500

Fish stocked in 1995

8,001

Fish stocked in 1996

3,000

Fish stocked in 1997

20,330

Fish stocked in 1998

15,615

Fish stocked in 1999

8,091

Fish stocked in 2000

4,066

Fish stocked in 2001

12,138

Fish stocked in 2002

3,500

Fish stocked in 2003

7,728

Fish stocked in 2004

7,092

Fish stocked in 2005

6,975

Fish stocked in 2006

3,000

Fish stocked in 2007

6,935

Fish stocked in 2008

6,673

Fish stocked in 2009

3,072

Fish stocked in 2010

3,060

Fish stocked in 2011

7,357

Fish stocked in 2012

3,002

Fish stocked in 2013

7,309

Fish stocked in 2014

3,008

Fish stocked in 2015

7,389

Fish stocked in 2016

41,069

Fish stocked in 2017

46,592

Fish stocked in 2018

14,630

Fish stocked in 2019

46,836

Fish stocked in 2020

37,111

Fish stocked in 2021

46,876

Fish stocked in 2022

2,510

Stocking history

Showing 5 of 146 plants Showing 146 plants

Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
January 1, 2022 Rainbow Trout 2,510 – report
January 1, 2021 Saugeye 26,114 – report
January 1, 2021 Saugeye 18,258 – report
January 1, 2021 Rainbow Trout 2,504 – report
January 1, 2020 Saugeye 15,723 – report
January 1, 2020 Saugeye 18,802 – report
January 1, 2020 Rainbow Trout 2,586 – report
January 1, 2019 Saugeye 39,536 – report
January 1, 2019 Rainbow Trout 3,001 – report
January 1, 2019 Channel Catfish 1,397 – report
January 1, 2019 Channel Catfish 1,630 – report
January 1, 2019 Channel Catfish 1,272 – report
January 1, 2018 Saugeye 11,629 – report
January 1, 2018 Rainbow Trout 2,170 – report
January 1, 2018 Rainbow Trout 831 – report
January 1, 2017 Saugeye 34,831 – report
January 1, 2017 Rainbow Trout 3,010 – report
January 1, 2017 Channel Catfish 2,915 – report
January 1, 2017 Channel Catfish 5,836 – report
January 1, 2016 Saugeye 17,114 – report
January 1, 2016 Saugeye 17,114 – report
January 1, 2016 Saugeye 3,827 – report
January 1, 2016 Rainbow Trout 3,014 – report
January 1, 2015 Rainbow Trout 1,246 – report
January 1, 2015 Rainbow Trout 1,766 – report
January 1, 2015 Channel Catfish 4,377 – report
January 1, 2014 Rainbow Trout 3,008 – report
January 1, 2013 Rainbow Trout 3,007 – report
January 1, 2013 Channel Catfish 4,302 – report
January 1, 2012 Rainbow Trout 3,002 – report
January 1, 2011 Rainbow Trout 3,052 – report
January 1, 2011 Channel Catfish 4,305 – report
January 1, 2010 Rainbow Trout 3,060 – report
January 1, 2009 Rainbow Trout 3,072 – report
January 1, 2008 Rainbow Trout 3,000 – report
January 1, 2008 Channel Catfish 1,727 – report
January 1, 2008 Channel Catfish 238 – report
January 1, 2008 Channel Catfish 1,708 – report
January 1, 2007 Rainbow Trout 3,000 – report
January 1, 2007 Channel Catfish 3,740 – report
January 1, 2007 Channel Catfish 195 – report
January 1, 2006 Rainbow Trout 1,000 – report
January 1, 2006 Rainbow Trout 2,000 – report
January 1, 2005 Rainbow Trout 3,018 – report
January 1, 2005 Channel Catfish 132 – report
January 1, 2005 Channel Catfish 3,825 – report
January 1, 2004 Rainbow Trout 3,005 – report
January 1, 2004 Channel Catfish 4,087 – report
January 1, 2003 Rainbow Trout 1,586 – report
January 1, 2003 Rainbow Trout 2,313 – report
January 1, 2003 Channel Catfish 875 – report
January 1, 2003 Channel Catfish 2,954 – report
January 1, 2002 Rainbow Trout 3,500 – report
January 1, 2001 Rainbow Trout 3,825 – report
January 1, 2001 Channel Catfish 4,430 – report
January 1, 2001 Channel Catfish 3,883 – report
January 1, 2000 Rainbow Trout 2,060 – report
January 1, 2000 Golden Trout 1,329 – report
January 1, 2000 Golden Trout 677 – report
January 1, 1999 Rainbow Trout 2,012 – report
January 1, 1999 Rainbow Trout 2,005 – report
January 1, 1999 Channel Catfish 4,074 – report
January 1, 1998 Rainbow Trout 4,272 – report
January 1, 1998 Rainbow Trout 1,024 – report
January 1, 1998 Rainbow Trout 3,125 – report
January 1, 1998 Rainbow Trout 3,094 – report
January 1, 1998 Rainbow Trout 4,100 – report
January 1, 1997 Rainbow Trout 559 – report
January 1, 1997 Rainbow Trout 5,601 – report
January 1, 1997 Rainbow Trout 3,528 – report
January 1, 1997 Rainbow Trout 4,700 – report
January 1, 1997 Golden Trout 1,942 – report
January 1, 1997 Channel Catfish 3,081 – report
January 1, 1997 Channel Catfish 919 – report
January 1, 1996 Golden Trout 3,000 – report
January 1, 1995 Golden Trout 4,000 – report
January 1, 1995 Channel Catfish 150 – report
January 1, 1995 Channel Catfish 2,394 – report
January 1, 1995 Channel Catfish 1,457 – report
January 1, 1994 Golden Trout 3,500 – report
January 1, 1993 Golden Trout 4,000 – report
January 1, 1993 Channel Catfish 2,625 – report
January 1, 1993 Channel Catfish 1,377 – report
January 1, 1992 Golden Trout 4,003 – report
January 1, 1991 Golden Trout 4,080 – report
January 1, 1991 Channel Catfish 3,091 – report
January 1, 1991 Channel Catfish 910 – report
January 1, 1989 Golden Trout 4,140 – report
January 1, 1989 Channel Catfish 1,540 – report
January 1, 1988 Golden Trout 3,400 – report
January 1, 1988 Channel Catfish 675 – report
January 1, 1988 Channel Catfish 2,507 – report
January 1, 1987 Golden Trout 1,080 – report
January 1, 1987 Golden Trout 6,475 – report
January 1, 1987 Channel Catfish 509 – report
January 1, 1987 Channel Catfish 1,762 – report
January 1, 1986 Rainbow Trout 5,500 – report
January 1, 1985 Rainbow Trout 1,750 – report
January 1, 1985 Rainbow Trout 2,001 – report
January 1, 1985 Golden Trout 3,499 – report
January 1, 1984 Rainbow Trout 2,825 – report
January 1, 1984 Golden Trout 3,625 – report
January 1, 1983 Rainbow Trout 650 – report
January 1, 1983 Rainbow Trout 1,300 – report
January 1, 1983 Rainbow Trout 2,070 – report
January 1, 1983 Golden Trout 2,070 – report
January 1, 1983 Golden Trout 1,760 – report
January 1, 1983 Golden Trout 1,300 – report
January 1, 1983 Channel Catfish 680 – report
January 1, 1982 Rainbow Trout 2,000 – report
January 1, 1982 Rainbow Trout 1,500 – report
January 1, 1982 Channel Catfish 15,510 – report
January 1, 1981 Rainbow Trout 3,485 – report
January 1, 1981 Rainbow Trout 5,002 – report
January 1, 1980 Yellow Perch 6,710 – report
January 1, 1980 Rainbow Trout 3,696 – report
January 1, 1980 Channel Catfish 864 – report
January 1, 1980 Channel Catfish 600 – report
January 1, 1979 Rainbow Trout 6,456 – report
January 1, 1979 Rainbow Trout 6,192 – report
January 1, 1979 Largemouth Bass 36,400 – report
January 1, 1979 Channel Catfish 7,544 – report
January 1, 1978 Redear Sunfish 28,925 – report
January 1, 1977 Redear Sunfish 163,000 – report
January 1, 1977 Rainbow Trout 9,416 – report
January 1, 1977 Rainbow Trout 4,620 – report
January 1, 1976 Rainbow Trout 2,400 – report
January 1, 1976 Rainbow Trout 6,000 – report
January 1, 1975 Rainbow Trout 4,645 – report
January 1, 1975 Rainbow Trout 1,512 – report
January 1, 1975 Rainbow Trout 3,000 – report
January 1, 1975 Rainbow Trout 3,012 – report
January 1, 1975 Channel Catfish 7,733 – report
January 1, 1974 Rainbow Trout 3,002 – report
January 1, 1973 Rainbow Trout 8,000 – report
January 1, 1973 Channel Catfish 16,000 – report
January 1, 1972 Walleye 4,000 – report
January 1, 1972 Redear Sunfish 40,000 – report
January 1, 1972 Channel Catfish 6,000 – report
January 1, 1972 Channel Catfish 8,100 – report
January 1, 1972 Bluegill 81,000 – report
January 1, 1972 Bluegill 40,000 – report
January 1, 1971 Channel Catfish 20,000 – report
January 1, 1970 Walleye 3,000 – report
January 1, 1970 Walleye 43,000 – report
January 1, 1970 Channel Catfish 14,472 – report
Show all 146 plants + Show less

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Athens
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, camping

Strouds Run State Park surrounds 161-acre Dow Lake outside Athens. 10 hp limit. Northeast launch ramp with tie-ups and seasonal kayak rack. Boathouse rentals seasonally. East-shore sand beach with restrooms; campground nearby.

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Nearest lakes

Fox Lake 9.6 mi last stocked January 1, 2019 Lake Snowden 10.8 mi last stocked January 1, 2021 Burr Oak Lake 14.4 mi last stocked January 1, 2020 Lake Hope 18.1 mi last stocked January 1, 2021 Veto Lake 19.8 mi last stocked January 1, 2020

Public land at Dow Lake

Dow Lake is 0.8 miles outside the edge of Strouds Run State Park.

Boundaries from Public Lands DB, part of the same network.

Common questions

What fish are at Dow Lake?

Fishing Dow Lake usually means Rainbow Trout: Rainbow Trout accounts for 62 of 146 plants on record, ahead of Channel Catfish and 7 more. Rainbow Trout was last stocked January 1, 2022. Channel Catfish was last stocked January 1, 2019. Golden Trout was last stocked January 1, 2000. Saugeye was last stocked January 1, 2021. 5 more species are on the stocking report.

When is Dow Lake stocked?

Last stocked January 1, 2022. It is stocked about 2.8 times a year since 1970, most often in January. The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of January. In 2022 it was January 1, 2022, about when it usually is. About 6,247 reported fish per acre, 2nd most of 4 lakes in Athens County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 1990.

How do you get on Dow Lake?

Shore fishing is available and there is a boat ramp. The nearest town is Athens. Facilities include restrooms and camping. Strouds Run State Park surrounds 161-acre Dow Lake outside Athens. 10 hp limit. Northeast launch ramp with tie-ups and seasonal kayak rack. Boathouse rentals seasonally. East-shore sand beach with restrooms; campground nearby.

Sources (1) +