East Fork Lake fishing

East Fork Lake fishing is stocked with Hybrid Striped Bass, Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female, Muskellunge, Saugeye, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and 2 more on a reservoir. It is stocked about 5.2 times a year since 1983, most often in January. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, and Smallmouth Bass, dawn, dusk, and night for Saugeye and Crappie, and dawn, day, and dusk for Bluegill.

Illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
January 1, 2022
1,733 days ago · Saugeye
Plants on record
206
Since 1983
Species recorded
4
Surface acres
2,107

Fish at East Fork Lake

4 stocked · 4 confirmed present

Muskellunge Stocked · 133 plants · last January 1, 2016 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked January 1, 2016 · 133 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Muskellunge species guide
Hybrid Striped Bass Stocked · 36 plants · last January 1, 2022

Last stocked January 1, 2022 · 36 plants

Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female Stocked · 25 plants · last January 1, 2010

Last stocked January 1, 2010 · 25 plants

Saugeye Stocked · 12 plants · last January 1, 2022 Best: dawn, dusk, night

Last stocked January 1, 2022 · 12 plants

Best: dawn, dusk, night

Saugeye species guide
Largemouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk

Best: dawn, dusk

ODNR East Fork State Park fishing text lists excellent catches of largemouth bass. (ohiodnr.gov, accessed September 29, 2026)

How to fish it

ODNR East Fork fishing copy rates largemouth bass catches as excellent on this reservoir. (ohiodnr.gov, accessed September 29, 2026)

Largemouth Bass species guide
Smallmouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk

Best: dawn, dusk

The same ODNR park fishing text lists excellent catches of smallmouth bass. (ohiodnr.gov, accessed September 29, 2026)

How to fish it

ODNR rates smallmouth bass catches as excellent alongside largemouth and crappie. (ohiodnr.gov, accessed September 29, 2026)

Smallmouth Bass species guide
Crappie Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night

Best: dawn, dusk, night

ODNR lists excellent crappie catches on East Fork Lake. (ohiodnr.gov, accessed September 29, 2026)

How to fish it

ODNR rates crappie catches as excellent on East Fork Lake. (ohiodnr.gov, accessed September 29, 2026)

Crappie species guide
Bluegill Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk

Best: dawn, day, dusk

ODNR rates bluegill catches as fair on East Fork Lake. (ohiodnr.gov, accessed September 29, 2026)

Bluegill species guide

How East Fork Lake is stocked

Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

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.

Fish stocked in 1983

49,400

Fish stocked in 1984

50,310

Fish stocked in 1985

25,000

Fish stocked in 1986

65,190

Fish stocked in 1988

1,680,000

Fish stocked in 1989

2,200,000

Fish stocked in 1990

700,000

Fish stocked in 1991

1,540,000

Fish stocked in 1992

1,425,000

Fish stocked in 1993

1,080,000

Fish stocked in 1994

1,080,000

Fish stocked in 1995

1,100,000

Fish stocked in 1996

650,000

Fish stocked in 1997

1,000,000

Fish stocked in 1998

1,100,000

Fish stocked in 1999

1,100,000

Fish stocked in 2000

1,100,000

Fish stocked in 2001

1,250,000

Fish stocked in 2002

1,160,000

Fish stocked in 2003

1,200,074

Fish stocked in 2004

1,200,000

Fish stocked in 2005

1,080,000

Fish stocked in 2006

1,267,792

Fish stocked in 2007

463,547

Fish stocked in 2008

1,355,036

Fish stocked in 2009

1,021,823

Fish stocked in 2010

1,001,784

Fish stocked in 2011

1,471,495

Fish stocked in 2012

1,409,302

Fish stocked in 2013

1,094,953

Fish stocked in 2014

1,246,767

Fish stocked in 2015

1,296,995

Fish stocked in 2016

1,212,118

Fish stocked in 2017

1,050,000

Fish stocked in 2018

1,275,989

Fish stocked in 2019

2,587,645

Fish stocked in 2020

1,262,080

Fish stocked in 2021

3,300,000

Fish stocked in 2022

1,260,865

Stocking history

Showing 5 of 206 plants Showing 206 plants

Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
January 1, 2022 Saugeye 210,865 – report
January 1, 2022 Hybrid Striped Bass 1,050,000 – report
January 1, 2021 Saugeye 1,600,000 – report
January 1, 2021 Saugeye 250,000 – report
January 1, 2021 Saugeye 300,000 – report
January 1, 2021 Hybrid Striped Bass 1,150,000 – report
January 1, 2020 Saugeye 212,080 – report
January 1, 2020 Hybrid Striped Bass 1,050,000 – report
January 1, 2019 Saugeye 264,597 – report
January 1, 2019 Saugeye 123,968 – report
January 1, 2019 Saugeye 50,878 – report
January 1, 2019 Saugeye 36,047 – report
January 1, 2019 Saugeye 232,155 – report
January 1, 2019 Saugeye 830,000 – report
January 1, 2019 Hybrid Striped Bass 1,050,000 – report
January 1, 2018 Saugeye 125,989 – report
January 1, 2018 Hybrid Striped Bass 1,150,000 – report
January 1, 2017 Hybrid Striped Bass 1,050,000 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 307 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 17 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 92 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 40 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 57 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 50 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 43 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 82 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 98 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 21,814 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 22,176 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 23,232 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 17,424 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 16,632 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 18,131 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 17,999 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 7,751 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 7,545 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 14,625 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 13,131 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 16,875 – report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 13,997 – report
January 1, 2016 Hybrid Striped Bass 1,000,000 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 314 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 538 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 240 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 501 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 142 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 51 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 39 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 506 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 460 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 587 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 800 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 2,136 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 4,042 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 2,058 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 2,496 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 3,292 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 1,775 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 2,890 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 7,863 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 10,979 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 12,848 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 16,697 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 4,972 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 10,947 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 13,313 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 9,279 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 13,481 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 14,672 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 53,870 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 45,954 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 11,893 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 12,717 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 17,267 – report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 17,376 – report
January 1, 2015 Hybrid Striped Bass 1,000,000 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 3,092 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 1,062 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 1,964 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 2,501 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 2,167 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 1,673 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 3,031 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 5,681 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 5,164 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 6,102 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 5,926 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 6,249 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 5,574 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 5,868 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 6,168 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 2,950 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 8,267 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 11,457 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 10,426 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 14,355 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 11,216 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 7,024 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 8,508 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 6,797 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 10,831 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 12,714 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 40,000 – report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 40,000 – report
January 1, 2014 Hybrid Striped Bass 1,000,000 – report
January 1, 2013 Muskellunge 78 – report
January 1, 2013 Muskellunge 122 – report
January 1, 2013 Muskellunge 34 – report
January 1, 2013 Muskellunge 30 – report
January 1, 2013 Muskellunge 39 – report
January 1, 2013 Muskellunge 35 – report
January 1, 2013 Muskellunge 980 – report
January 1, 2013 Muskellunge 800 – report
January 1, 2013 Muskellunge 3,495 – report
January 1, 2013 Muskellunge 2,223 – report
January 1, 2013 Muskellunge 5,924 – report
January 1, 2013 Muskellunge 4,471 – report
January 1, 2013 Muskellunge 3,913 – report
January 1, 2013 Muskellunge 4,111 – report
January 1, 2013 Muskellunge 9,372 – report
January 1, 2013 Muskellunge 1,963 – report
January 1, 2013 Muskellunge 7,363 – report
January 1, 2013 Hybrid Striped Bass 1,050,000 – report
January 1, 2012 Muskellunge 3,527 – report
January 1, 2012 Muskellunge 1,000 – report
January 1, 2012 Muskellunge 1,543 – report
January 1, 2012 Muskellunge 27,627 – report
January 1, 2012 Muskellunge 14,692 – report
January 1, 2012 Muskellunge 21,384 – report
January 1, 2012 Muskellunge 41,156 – report
January 1, 2012 Muskellunge 955 – report
January 1, 2012 Muskellunge 1,152 – report
January 1, 2012 Hybrid Striped Bass 1,200,000 – report
January 1, 2012 Hybrid Striped Bass 96,266 – report
January 1, 2011 Muskellunge 1,070 – report
January 1, 2011 Muskellunge 149 – report
January 1, 2011 Muskellunge 276 – report
January 1, 2011 Muskellunge 10,000 – report
January 1, 2011 Muskellunge 30,000 – report
January 1, 2011 Muskellunge 30,000 – report
January 1, 2011 Hybrid Striped Bass 1,400,000 – report
January 1, 2010 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 1,000,000 – report
January 1, 2010 Muskellunge 146 – report
January 1, 2010 Muskellunge 123 – report
January 1, 2010 Muskellunge 87 – report
January 1, 2010 Muskellunge 25 – report
January 1, 2010 Muskellunge 10 – report
January 1, 2010 Muskellunge 29 – report
January 1, 2010 Muskellunge 1,364 – report
January 1, 2009 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 80,000 – report
January 1, 2009 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 80,000 – report
January 1, 2009 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 750,000 – report
January 1, 2009 Muskellunge 901 – report
January 1, 2009 Muskellunge 1,070 – report
January 1, 2009 Muskellunge 6,978 – report
January 1, 2009 Muskellunge 10,000 – report
January 1, 2009 Muskellunge 92,874 – report
January 1, 2008 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 1,000,000 – report
January 1, 2008 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 161,103 – report
January 1, 2008 Muskellunge 420 – report
January 1, 2008 Muskellunge 1,139 – report
January 1, 2008 Muskellunge 9,700 – report
January 1, 2008 Muskellunge 10,000 – report
January 1, 2008 Muskellunge 172,674 – report
January 1, 2007 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 5,076 – report
January 1, 2007 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 10,753 – report
January 1, 2007 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 14,080 – report
January 1, 2007 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 1,685 – report
January 1, 2007 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 9,835 – report
January 1, 2007 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 22,118 – report
January 1, 2007 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 400,000 – report
January 1, 2006 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 1,140,000 – report
January 1, 2006 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 1,260 – report
January 1, 2006 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 5,888 – report
January 1, 2006 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 43,338 – report
January 1, 2006 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 39,266 – report
January 1, 2006 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 38,040 – report
January 1, 2005 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 1,080,000 – report
January 1, 2004 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 1,200,000 – report
January 1, 2003 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 100,074 – report
January 1, 2003 Hybrid Striped Bass 330,000 – report
January 1, 2003 Hybrid Striped Bass 770,000 – report
January 1, 2002 Hybrid Striped Bass 660,000 – report
January 1, 2002 Hybrid Striped Bass 500,000 – report
January 1, 2001 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 750,000 – report
January 1, 2001 Hybrid Striped Bass 150,000 – report
January 1, 2001 Hybrid Striped Bass 350,000 – report
January 1, 2000 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 1,100,000 – report
January 1, 1999 Hybrid Striped Bass 1,100,000 – report
January 1, 1998 Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female 1,100,000 – report
January 1, 1997 Hybrid Striped Bass 1,000,000 – report
January 1, 1996 Hybrid Striped Bass 650,000 – report
January 1, 1995 Hybrid Striped Bass 1,100,000 – report
January 1, 1994 Hybrid Striped Bass 1,080,000 – report
January 1, 1993 Hybrid Striped Bass 1,080,000 – report
January 1, 1992 Hybrid Striped Bass 1,425,000 – report
January 1, 1991 Hybrid Striped Bass 550,000 – report
January 1, 1991 Hybrid Striped Bass 490,000 – report
January 1, 1991 Hybrid Striped Bass 500,000 – report
January 1, 1990 Hybrid Striped Bass 700,000 – report
January 1, 1989 Hybrid Striped Bass 2,200,000 – report
January 1, 1988 Hybrid Striped Bass 1,680,000 – report
January 1, 1986 Hybrid Striped Bass 65,190 – report
January 1, 1985 Hybrid Striped Bass 25,000 – report
January 1, 1984 Hybrid Striped Bass 50,310 – report
January 1, 1983 Hybrid Striped Bass 49,400 – report
Show all 206 plants + Show less

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Bantam, OH
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, camping, dock

ODNR East Fork State Park lists eight public launch ramps on 2,160-acre William H. Harsha (East Fork) Lake, unlimited horsepower, and a fishing pier at the North Shore Boat Ramp. Visitor passes are collected Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends.

Other places to fish at East Fork Lake

North Shore Boat Ramp fishing pier

ODNR places a fishing pier at the North Shore Boat Ramp area on the north, western part of the lake (2-lane ramp). (ohiodnr.gov, accessed September 29, 2026)

Tate Boat Ramp and Buffalo Bay

Tate is the park's 4-lane south-side ramp. ODNR notes a boat swim area and boat camping area (Buffalo Bay) near Tate. (ohiodnr.gov, accessed September 29, 2026)

Slade Road Boat Ramp (dam)

ODNR lists this 2-lane ramp on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property near the dam, west of the state park. (ohiodnr.gov, accessed September 29, 2026)

Reisinger Boat Ramp

2-lane ramp on the south side of the lake, east side of the park, north of Bethel. (ohiodnr.gov, accessed September 29, 2026)

View larger map · Open in Google Maps · Directions

About East Fork Lake

William H. Harsha (East Fork) Lake is a Clermont County U.S. Army Corps reservoir managed with East Fork State Park and East Fork Wildlife Area. ODNR lists unlimited-horsepower boating on about 2,160 acres of water, eight public ramps, a North Shore fishing pier, hybrid striper stocking, and quality bass and crappie fishing.

Nearest lakes

Grant Lake 12.1 mi last stocked January 1, 2020 Stonelick Lake 13.9 mi last stocked January 1, 2022 Cowan Lake 28.1 mi last stocked January 1, 2022 Caesar Creek Lake 32.3 mi last stocked January 1, 2022 Adams Lake 37.1 mi last stocked January 1, 2022

Public land at East Fork Lake

East Fork Lake is inside East Fork State Park.

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

Common questions

What fish are at East Fork Lake?

Fishing East Fork Lake usually means Muskellunge: Muskellunge accounts for 133 of 206 plants on record, ahead of Hybrid Striped Bass and 2 more. Muskellunge was last stocked January 1, 2016. Hybrid Striped Bass was last stocked January 1, 2022. Striped Bass Male X White Bass Female was last stocked January 1, 2010. Saugeye was last stocked January 1, 2022. Largemouth Bass (ODNR East Fork State Park fishing text lists excellent catches of largemouth bass), Smallmouth Bass (The same ODNR park fishing text lists excellent catches of smallmouth bass), Crappie (ODNR lists excellent crappie catches on East Fork Lake), and Bluegill (ODNR rates bluegill catches as fair on East Fork Lake) are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is East Fork Lake stocked?

Last stocked January 1, 2022. It is stocked about 5.2 times a year since 1983, 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. No plants recorded in 1987.

How do you get on East Fork Lake?

Shore fishing is available, there is a boat ramp, and a fee is required. The nearest town is Bantam, OH. Facilities include restrooms, camping, and dock. ODNR East Fork State Park lists eight public launch ramps on 2,160-acre William H. Harsha (East Fork) Lake, unlimited horsepower, and a fishing pier at the North Shore Boat Ramp. Visitor passes are collected Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends.

Sources (1) +