Paint Creek Lake fishing

Paint Creek Lake fishing is stocked with Saugeye and Channel Catfish on a reservoir. It is stocked about 2.3 times a year since 1982, most often in January. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Saugeye and dusk and night for Channel Catfish.

Illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
January 1, 2021
2,098 days ago · Saugeye
Plants on record
90
Since 1982
Species recorded
2
Surface acres
1,177

Fish at Paint Creek Lake

2 stocked · 0 confirmed present

Saugeye Stocked · 89 plants · last January 1, 2021 Best: dawn, dusk, night

Last stocked January 1, 2021 · 89 plants

Best: dawn, dusk, night

Saugeye species guide
Channel Catfish Stocked · 1 plant · last January 1, 1990 Best: dusk, night

Last stocked January 1, 1990 · 1 plant

Best: dusk, night

Channel Catfish species guide

How Paint Creek Lake is stocked

Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

About 8,446 reported fish per acre, 2nd most of 3 lakes in Highland County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish stocked in 1982

69,160

Fish stocked in 1983

85,000

Fish stocked in 1984

72,000

Fish stocked in 1985

71,400

Fish stocked in 1986

83,700

Fish stocked in 1987

63,326

Fish stocked in 1988

71,433

Fish stocked in 1989

71,435

Fish stocked in 1990

120,435

Fish stocked in 1991

274,057

Fish stocked in 1992

119,056

Fish stocked in 1993

357,279

Fish stocked in 1994

594,987

Fish stocked in 1995

588,373

Fish stocked in 1996

600,422

Fish stocked in 1997

595,940

Fish stocked in 1998

239,096

Fish stocked in 1999

219,194

Fish stocked in 2000

239,325

Fish stocked in 2001

234,192

Fish stocked in 2002

233,334

Fish stocked in 2003

232,909

Fish stocked in 2004

233,410

Fish stocked in 2005

238,124

Fish stocked in 2006

312,378

Fish stocked in 2007

235,171

Fish stocked in 2008

234,896

Fish stocked in 2009

233,199

Fish stocked in 2010

235,060

Fish stocked in 2011

205,642

Fish stocked in 2012

195,636

Fish stocked in 2013

176,664

Fish stocked in 2014

181,668

Fish stocked in 2015

60,716

Fish stocked in 2016

165,429

Fish stocked in 2017

182,998

Fish stocked in 2018

82,738

Fish stocked in 2019

1,436,142

Fish stocked in 2020

176,946

Fish stocked in 2021

117,843

Stocking history

Showing 5 of 90 plants Showing 90 plants

Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
January 1, 2021 Saugeye 117,843 – report
January 1, 2020 Saugeye 98,235 – report
January 1, 2020 Saugeye 78,711 – report
January 1, 2019 Saugeye 105,542 – report
January 1, 2019 Saugeye 120,537 – report
January 1, 2019 Saugeye 56,103 – report
January 1, 2019 Saugeye 1,153,960 – report
January 1, 2018 Saugeye 56,978 – report
January 1, 2018 Saugeye 25,760 – report
January 1, 2017 Saugeye 85,099 – report
January 1, 2017 Saugeye 97,899 – report
January 1, 2016 Saugeye 56,565 – report
January 1, 2016 Saugeye 108,864 – report
January 1, 2015 Saugeye 60,716 – report
January 1, 2014 Saugeye 181,668 – report
January 1, 2013 Saugeye 88,381 – report
January 1, 2013 Saugeye 88,283 – report
January 1, 2012 Saugeye 195,636 – report
January 1, 2011 Saugeye 32,424 – report
January 1, 2011 Saugeye 110,618 – report
January 1, 2011 Saugeye 62,600 – report
January 1, 2010 Saugeye 235,060 – report
January 1, 2009 Saugeye 125,197 – report
January 1, 2009 Saugeye 14,987 – report
January 1, 2009 Saugeye 41,103 – report
January 1, 2009 Saugeye 51,912 – report
January 1, 2008 Saugeye 95,130 – report
January 1, 2008 Saugeye 139,766 – report
January 1, 2007 Saugeye 106,319 – report
January 1, 2007 Saugeye 128,852 – report
January 1, 2006 Saugeye 109,890 – report
January 1, 2006 Saugeye 202,488 – report
January 1, 2005 Saugeye 238,124 – report
January 1, 2004 Saugeye 155,044 – report
January 1, 2004 Saugeye 74,210 – report
January 1, 2004 Saugeye 4,156 – report
January 1, 2003 Saugeye 63,600 – report
January 1, 2003 Saugeye 169,309 – report
January 1, 2002 Saugeye 233,334 – report
January 1, 2001 Saugeye 234,192 – report
January 1, 2000 Saugeye 73,080 – report
January 1, 2000 Saugeye 81,774 – report
January 1, 2000 Saugeye 84,471 – report
January 1, 1999 Saugeye 70,042 – report
January 1, 1999 Saugeye 75,864 – report
January 1, 1999 Saugeye 73,288 – report
January 1, 1998 Saugeye 239,096 – report
January 1, 1997 Saugeye 570,905 – report
January 1, 1997 Saugeye 25,035 – report
January 1, 1996 Saugeye 84,840 – report
January 1, 1996 Saugeye 62,160 – report
January 1, 1996 Saugeye 103,944 – report
January 1, 1996 Saugeye 44,492 – report
January 1, 1996 Saugeye 90,090 – report
January 1, 1996 Saugeye 134,946 – report
January 1, 1996 Saugeye 79,950 – report
January 1, 1995 Saugeye 149,810 – report
January 1, 1995 Saugeye 138,400 – report
January 1, 1995 Saugeye 1,600 – report
January 1, 1995 Saugeye 161,131 – report
January 1, 1995 Saugeye 137,432 – report
January 1, 1994 Saugeye 17,316 – report
January 1, 1994 Saugeye 149,313 – report
January 1, 1994 Saugeye 100,008 – report
January 1, 1994 Saugeye 71,990 – report
January 1, 1994 Saugeye 256,360 – report
January 1, 1993 Saugeye 131,850 – report
January 1, 1993 Saugeye 100,485 – report
January 1, 1993 Saugeye 124,944 – report
January 1, 1992 Saugeye 7,380 – report
January 1, 1992 Saugeye 4,686 – report
January 1, 1992 Saugeye 106,990 – report
January 1, 1991 Saugeye 119,680 – report
January 1, 1991 Saugeye 154,377 – report
January 1, 1990 Saugeye 60,892 – report
January 1, 1990 Saugeye 54,120 – report
January 1, 1990 Saugeye 5,323 – report
January 1, 1990 Channel Catfish 100 – report
January 1, 1989 Saugeye 71,435 – report
January 1, 1988 Saugeye 71,433 – report
January 1, 1987 Saugeye 17,582 – report
January 1, 1987 Saugeye 16,236 – report
January 1, 1987 Saugeye 21,504 – report
January 1, 1987 Saugeye 3,612 – report
January 1, 1987 Saugeye 4,392 – report
January 1, 1986 Saugeye 83,700 – report
January 1, 1985 Saugeye 71,400 – report
January 1, 1984 Saugeye 72,000 – report
January 1, 1983 Saugeye 85,000 – report
January 1, 1982 Saugeye 69,160 – report
Show all 90 plants + Show less

Access and facts

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

Paint Creek State Park: 1,148-acre lake with unlimited horsepower. Three launch ramps; seasonal fuel and dock rentals; boat swim area near the beach. Nearly 200-site campground. About 10 miles east of Hillsboro / near Bainbridge.

View larger map · Open in Google Maps · Directions

Nearest lakes

Rocky Fork Lake 6.5 mi last stocked January 1, 2022 Pike Lake 9.6 mi last stocked January 1, 2022 Lake White 20.9 mi last stocked January 1, 2021 Stewart Hollow Lake 21.1 mi last stocked January 1, 1987 Caldwell Lake 21.4 mi last stocked January 1, 2022

Public land at Paint Creek Lake

Paint Creek Lake is inside Paint Creek State Park.

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

Common questions

What fish are at Paint Creek Lake?

Fishing Paint Creek Lake usually means Saugeye: Saugeye accounts for 89 of 90 plants on record, ahead of Channel Catfish. Saugeye was last stocked January 1, 2021. Channel Catfish was last stocked January 1, 1990.

When is Paint Creek Lake stocked?

Last stocked January 1, 2021. It is stocked about 2.3 times a year since 1982, most often in January. The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of January. In 2021 it was January 1, 2021, about when it usually is. About 8,446 reported fish per acre, 2nd most of 3 lakes in Highland County with both a fish count and a surface area.

How do you get on Paint Creek Lake?

Shore fishing is available and there is a boat ramp. The nearest town is Bainbridge. Facilities include restrooms, camping, and dock. Paint Creek State Park: 1,148-acre lake with unlimited horsepower. Three launch ramps; seasonal fuel and dock rentals; boat swim area near the beach. Nearly 200-site campground. About 10 miles east of Hillsboro / near Bainbridge.

Which lakes near Paint Creek Lake were stocked more recently?

Rocky Fork Lake (6.5 mi), Pike Lake (9.6 mi), and Caldwell Lake (21.4 mi) were stocked more recently. Rocky Fork Lake is also stocked with Saugeye, Pike Lake is also stocked with Channel Catfish, and Caldwell Lake is also stocked with Channel Catfish.

Sources (1) +