Vesuvius Lake fishing

Vesuvius Lake fishing is stocked with Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Saugeye, Bluegill, and Rainbow Trout on a reservoir. It is stocked about 1.6 times a year since 1970, most often in January. Species guides list dusk and night for Channel Catfish, dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass and Rainbow Trout, and dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike and Bluegill.

Illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
January 1, 2022
1,733 days ago · Rainbow Trout
Plants on record
83
Since 1970
Species recorded
6
Surface acres
106

Fish at Vesuvius Lake

6 stocked · 0 confirmed present

Channel Catfish Stocked · 38 plants · last January 1, 2022 Best: dusk, night

Last stocked January 1, 2022 · 38 plants

Best: dusk, night

Channel Catfish species guide
Rainbow Trout Stocked · 22 plants · last January 1, 2022 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked January 1, 2022 · 22 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide
Saugeye Stocked · 12 plants · last January 1, 1997 Best: dawn, dusk, night

Last stocked January 1, 1997 · 12 plants

Best: dawn, dusk, night

Saugeye species guide
Largemouth Bass Stocked · 8 plants · last January 1, 2004 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked January 1, 2004 · 8 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Largemouth Bass species guide
Northern Pike Stocked · 2 plants · last January 1, 1971 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked January 1, 1971 · 2 plants

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Northern Pike species guide
Bluegill Stocked · 1 plant · last January 1, 2004 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked January 1, 2004 · 1 plant

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Bluegill species guide

How Vesuvius Lake is stocked

Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

About 4,755 reported fish per acre, the most of 3 lakes in Lawrence County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish stocked in 1970

21,416

Fish stocked in 1971

16,543

Fish stocked in 1972

20,000

Fish stocked in 1973

28,500

Fish stocked in 1974

8,800

Fish stocked in 1975

7,500

Fish stocked in 1976

10,758

Fish stocked in 1977

12,200

Fish stocked in 1978

14,300

Fish stocked in 1980

13,000

Fish stocked in 1983

28,600

Fish stocked in 1985

28,800

Fish stocked in 1987

14,300

Fish stocked in 1988

3,576

Fish stocked in 1989

12,155

Fish stocked in 1990

10,730

Fish stocked in 1991

22,017

Fish stocked in 1992

23,930

Fish stocked in 1993

22,875

Fish stocked in 1994

11,214

Fish stocked in 1995

13,300

Fish stocked in 1996

15,784

Fish stocked in 1997

10,028

Fish stocked in 1998

2,639

Fish stocked in 2000

2,627

Fish stocked in 2004

64,954

Fish stocked in 2005

1,000

Fish stocked in 2006

1,000

Fish stocked in 2007

4,456

Fish stocked in 2008

1,500

Fish stocked in 2009

3,640

Fish stocked in 2010

4,311

Fish stocked in 2011

2,650

Fish stocked in 2012

5,303

Fish stocked in 2013

2,650

Fish stocked in 2014

5,382

Fish stocked in 2015

2,652

Fish stocked in 2016

6,232

Fish stocked in 2017

2,656

Fish stocked in 2018

5,164

Fish stocked in 2019

2,652

Fish stocked in 2020

5,357

Fish stocked in 2021

2,652

Fish stocked in 2022

4,171

Stocking history

Showing 5 of 83 plants Showing 83 plants

Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
January 1, 2022 Rainbow Trout 1,002 – report
January 1, 2022 Rainbow Trout 519 – report
January 1, 2022 Channel Catfish 2,650 – report
January 1, 2021 Rainbow Trout 2,652 – report
January 1, 2020 Rainbow Trout 2,679 – report
January 1, 2020 Channel Catfish 2,678 – report
January 1, 2019 Rainbow Trout 2,652 – report
January 1, 2018 Rainbow Trout 2,652 – report
January 1, 2018 Channel Catfish 1,387 – report
January 1, 2018 Channel Catfish 1,125 – report
January 1, 2017 Rainbow Trout 2,656 – report
January 1, 2016 Rainbow Trout 2,657 – report
January 1, 2016 Channel Catfish 3,575 – report
January 1, 2015 Rainbow Trout 2,652 – report
January 1, 2014 Rainbow Trout 2,707 – report
January 1, 2014 Channel Catfish 2,675 – report
January 1, 2013 Rainbow Trout 2,650 – report
January 1, 2012 Rainbow Trout 2,650 – report
January 1, 2012 Channel Catfish 2,653 – report
January 1, 2011 Rainbow Trout 1,174 – report
January 1, 2011 Rainbow Trout 1,476 – report
January 1, 2010 Rainbow Trout 1,611 – report
January 1, 2010 Channel Catfish 1,310 – report
January 1, 2010 Channel Catfish 1,390 – report
January 1, 2009 Rainbow Trout 1,005 – report
January 1, 2009 Channel Catfish 2,635 – report
January 1, 2008 Rainbow Trout 1,500 – report
January 1, 2007 Rainbow Trout 752 – report
January 1, 2007 Rainbow Trout 1,000 – report
January 1, 2007 Channel Catfish 2,704 – report
January 1, 2006 Rainbow Trout 1,000 – report
January 1, 2005 Rainbow Trout 1,000 – report
January 1, 2004 Rainbow Trout 1,300 – report
January 1, 2004 Largemouth Bass 8,026 – report
January 1, 2004 Largemouth Bass 2,156 – report
January 1, 2004 Channel Catfish 12,012 – report
January 1, 2004 Bluegill 41,460 – report
January 1, 2000 Channel Catfish 2,627 – report
January 1, 1998 Channel Catfish 2,639 – report
January 1, 1997 Saugeye 2,670 – report
January 1, 1997 Saugeye 7,358 – report
January 1, 1996 Saugeye 10,545 – report
January 1, 1996 Channel Catfish 2,076 – report
January 1, 1996 Channel Catfish 522 – report
January 1, 1996 Channel Catfish 1,619 – report
January 1, 1996 Channel Catfish 1,022 – report
January 1, 1995 Saugeye 10,654 – report
January 1, 1995 Channel Catfish 1,304 – report
January 1, 1995 Channel Catfish 1,342 – report
January 1, 1994 Saugeye 11,214 – report
January 1, 1993 Saugeye 22,875 – report
January 1, 1992 Saugeye 10,668 – report
January 1, 1992 Saugeye 10,640 – report
January 1, 1992 Channel Catfish 1,661 – report
January 1, 1992 Channel Catfish 961 – report
January 1, 1991 Saugeye 10,497 – report
January 1, 1991 Saugeye 11,520 – report
January 1, 1990 Saugeye 7,155 – report
January 1, 1990 Channel Catfish 3,575 – report
January 1, 1989 Saugeye 8,580 – report
January 1, 1989 Channel Catfish 443 – report
January 1, 1989 Channel Catfish 3,132 – report
January 1, 1988 Channel Catfish 501 – report
January 1, 1988 Channel Catfish 3,075 – report
January 1, 1987 Channel Catfish 14,300 – report
January 1, 1985 Channel Catfish 28,800 – report
January 1, 1983 Channel Catfish 28,600 – report
January 1, 1980 Channel Catfish 13,000 – report
January 1, 1978 Largemouth Bass 14,300 – report
January 1, 1977 Largemouth Bass 9,200 – report
January 1, 1977 Channel Catfish 3,000 – report
January 1, 1976 Largemouth Bass 3,608 – report
January 1, 1976 Channel Catfish 7,150 – report
January 1, 1975 Channel Catfish 7,500 – report
January 1, 1974 Largemouth Bass 8,800 – report
January 1, 1973 Largemouth Bass 14,300 – report
January 1, 1973 Channel Catfish 14,200 – report
January 1, 1972 Channel Catfish 20,000 – report
January 1, 1971 Northern Pike 1,543 – report
January 1, 1971 Channel Catfish 15,000 – report
January 1, 1970 Northern Pike 1,200 – report
January 1, 1970 Largemouth Bass 7,992 – report
January 1, 1970 Channel Catfish 12,224 – report
Show all 83 plants + Show less

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Ironton
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
Float tube friendly
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, camping

USFS Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area (Wayne NF): only electric motors allowed. Boat ramp with seasonal canoe/kayak rentals (Kountry Kayaks, May-September). About 6.5 miles north of Ironton off SR 93 via County Road 29.

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Nearest lakes

Hanging Rock Lake 5.8 mi last stocked January 1, 2011 Timbre Ridge Lake 13.8 mi last stocked January 1, 2022 Jackson Lake 19.8 mi last stocked January 1, 2021 Rio Grande Reservoir 23.2 mi last stocked January 1, 2011 Tycoon Lake 26.4 mi last stocked January 1, 2021

Public land at Vesuvius Lake

Vesuvius Lake is inside Wayne National Forest.

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

Common questions

What fish are at Vesuvius Lake?

Fishing Vesuvius Lake usually means Channel Catfish: Channel Catfish accounts for 38 of 83 plants on record, ahead of Rainbow Trout and 4 more. Channel Catfish was last stocked January 1, 2022. Rainbow Trout was last stocked January 1, 2022. Saugeye was last stocked January 1, 1997. Largemouth Bass was last stocked January 1, 2004. 2 more species are on the stocking report.

When is Vesuvius Lake stocked?

Last stocked January 1, 2022. It is stocked about 1.6 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 4,755 reported fish per acre, the most of 3 lakes in Lawrence County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 9 years between 1970 and 2022.

How do you get on Vesuvius Lake?

Shore fishing is available, there is a boat ramp, and it is float tube friendly. The nearest town is Ironton. Facilities include restrooms and camping. USFS Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area (Wayne NF): only electric motors allowed. Boat ramp with seasonal canoe/kayak rentals (Kountry Kayaks, May-September). About 6.5 miles north of Ironton off SR 93 via County Road 29.

Sources (1) +