Fishing in Delaware County, Ohio
Seat: Delaware. Fish management by ODNR Wildlife District One (Columbus office).
- 4lake pages
- 16launches
- 4river pages
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Delaware County water in one read
County business in Delaware County runs out of Delaware, and the 2020 count stood at 214,124. Census mapping shows 14.2 square miles of water inside 443 square miles of land area. The Division of Wildlife files it under ODNR Wildlife District One (Columbus office).
4 lakes in the county have pages, 8,326 acres in all, and Alum Creek Lake is the largest. ODNR prints a motor limit for 4 lakes here, 0 electric-only. Structure placed by ODNR: 8 attractors on 2 lakes. Boaters have 16 public launches to choose from; 13 have concrete lanes and 868 trailer spaces are on record.
Census 2020 population and 2023 Gazetteer areas; ODNR Division of Wildlife lake outlines, horsepower and attractor layers, ODNR launch list; retrieved October 2026.
Delaware County water on one map
ODNR launch and fishing-access points, ODNR lake outlines (representative points) and ODNR stream access points. Checked October 2026.
Still water in Delaware County worth a launch
| Lake | Acres | Launches | Motor rule | Fish on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alum Creek Lake | 3,331 | 5 | unlimited horsepower | catfish, crappie, largemouth bass |
| Hoover Reservoir | 2,884 | 5 | 10 HP limit | buffalo sucker, saugeye, walleye |
| Delaware Lake | 1,215 | 3 | unlimited horsepower | catfish, crappie, largemouth bass |
| O'Shaughnessy Reservoir | 896 | 4 | unlimited horsepower |
ODNR Division of Wildlife lake outlines (acres), horsepower restrictions, fish hot-spot maps and stocking records; retrieved October 2026.
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- Olentangy River1 launch, 40 ODNR access points, USGS gauge
- Scioto River2 launchs, 40 ODNR access points, USGS gauge
- Alum Creek24 ODNR access points, USGS gauge
- Big Walnut Creek22 ODNR access points, USGS gauge
USGS stream gauges reporting from Delaware County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Alum Creek At Africa Oh | 188 cfs, 2.41 ft gage height | Nov 11 5:00 pm |
| Scioto River Below O'shaughnessy Dam Nr Dublin Oh | 129 cfs, 3.85 ft gage height | Nov 11 4:45 pm |
| Scioto River Near Prospect Oh | 65 cfs, 1.52 ft gage height | Nov 11 5:00 pm |
| Mill Creek Near Bellepoint Oh | 18 cfs, 1.49 ft gage height | Nov 11 5:00 pm |
| Olentangy River Near Delaware Oh | 225 cfs, 2.38 ft gage height | Nov 11 4:15 pm |
| Alum Creek Near Kilbourne Oh | 7 cfs, 2.32 ft gage height | Nov 11 5:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 5:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
ODNR stream access points (Watercraft paddling layer), ODNR steelhead program and walleye-run maps, USGS gauges; retrieved October 2026.
Each ODNR-listed launch in Delaware County
- Alum Creek State Park – Campground/ChurchAlum Creek Lake, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, 25 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Alum Creek State Park – CheshireAlum Creek Lake, concrete ramp, 4 lanes, 102 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Alum Creek State Park – Howard RoadAlum Creek Lake, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, 50 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Alum Creek State Park – New GalenaAlum Creek Lake, concrete ramp, 4 lanes, 87 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Alum Creek State Park- Hollenback Ramp and MarinaAlum Creek Lake, concrete ramp, 4 lanes, 125 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Bellepoint Launch Ramp on O'Shaughnessy ReservoirO'Shaughnessy Reservoir, concrete ramp, 1 lane, 9 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Delaware State Park – Main RampDelaware Lake, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, 178 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Delaware State Park – South RampDelaware Lake, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, 72 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Delaware State Park – Wildlife RampDelaware Lake, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, 20 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Hoover Reservoir – Baldridge Boat RampHoover Reservoir, concrete ramp, 1 lane, 11 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, 10 HP limit
- Hoover Reservoir – Maxtown launchHoover Reservoir, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, 44 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, 10 HP limit
- Hoover Reservoir – Oxbow Road Launch RampHoover Reservoir, boat ramp, 26 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, 10 HP limit
- Hoover Reservoir – Twin Bridges LaunchHoover Reservoir, gravel ramp, 2 lanes, 40 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, 10 HP limit
- O'Shaughnessy Reservoir – Marina and LaunchO'Shaughnessy Reservoir, concrete ramp, 4 lanes, 79 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- O'Shaughnessy Reservoir – Two Lakes West launchO'Shaughnessy Reservoir, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Public launch on O'Shaughnessy ReservoirO'Shaughnessy Reservoir, boat ramp
Fishing from land in Delaware County (2)
- Southwest fishing access near Radnorshore fishing, Delaware Lake
- Youth Fishing Pond-Ages 15 and youngershore fishing, youth only, Delaware Lake
ODNR Parks and Watercraft launch facilities, ODNR Division of Wildlife fishing access points and ODNR Office of Coastal Management Lake Erie access; retrieved October 2026.
Delaware County stocking history and record catches
The stocking file shows 759 releases on 3 county lakes, 1970 to 2022: 79,301,182 saugeye, 24,950,192 walleye, 1,787,398 muskellunge, 390,858 blue catfish.
Last recorded plants in Delaware County
| Year | Water | Species | Number and size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Alum Creek Lake | Saugeye | 70,000 fry |
| 2022 | Alum Creek Lake | Saugeye | 70,000 fry |
| 2022 | Alum Creek Lake | Saugeye | 1,532,000 fry |
| 2022 | Alum Creek Lake | Saugeye | 22,137 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Alum Creek Lake | Saugeye | 109,989 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Alum Creek Lake | Saugeye | 84,899 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Alum Creek Lake | Saugeye | 116,688 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Hoover Reservoir | Saugeye | 139,395 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Hoover Reservoir | Saugeye | 7,228 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Alum Creek Lake | Muskellunge | 142 adv. fingerlings |
Record-book fish from Delaware County
| Species | Weight | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Sucker | 50.9 lb | Hoover Reservoir | 2023 |
ODNR Division of Wildlife Ohio Fish Stocking Records (public copy of the DataOhio dataset, current as of May 31, 2022; numbers by water, year, species and life stage); ODNR Rainbow Trout Stocking Dates page, spring 2026 releases (trout 10 to 13 inches); Outdoor Writers of Ohio record fish list. Retrieved October 2026.
Bag, size and site rules for Delaware County
The statewide inland rows govern Delaware County; site entries below override them.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Blue & Flathead Catfish (under 35 inches) | No daily limit | Open year-round |
| Blue & Flathead Catfish (35 inches or larger) | 1 of each (statewide); minimum 35 inches | Open year-round |
| Channel Catfish (under 28 inches) | No daily limit | Open year-round |
| Channel Catfish (28 inches or larger) | 1 (statewide); minimum 28 inches | Open year-round |
| Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass | 5 (singly or in combination); minimum 12 inches | Open year-round |
| Muskellunge | 1 | Open year-round |
| Striped, Hybrid-Striped, & White Bass | 30 (singly or in combination); minimum No more than 4 over 15 inches | Open year-round |
| Trout | 5 (singly or in combination) | Open year-round |
| Walleye, Sauger, & Saugeye | 6 (singly or in combination) | Open year-round |
| Yellow Perch | 30 | Open year-round |
Limits as printed in the 2026-27 Ohio Fishing Regulations (ODNR Division of Wildlife Publication 5085, effective March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027) and the ODNR Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch daily limits sheet (May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027); retrieved October 26, 2026. Site-specific rules as printed in the 2026-27 Ohio Fishing Regulations (ODNR Division of Wildlife Publication 5085, effective March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027) (booklet PDF), page numbers in the booklet.
Delaware County tournament calendar
15 events on file launch here; 1 remain on the calendar.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 19, 2027 | Fishers of Men Ohio Team Series Alum Creek (2027) | Alum Creek Lake | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| Oct. 11, 2026 | Mid-Ohio Bassmasters Alum Creek Open (2026) | Alum Creek Lake | Ohio Bass Federation (TBF) |
| Aug. 2, 2026 | OBF High School Championship (2026) | Alum Creek Lake | Ohio Bass Federation (TBF) |
| June 25, 2026 | Fishers of Men Ohio Alum Creek – Weeknight, Alum Creek (2026-06-25) | Alum Creek Lake | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| June 18, 2026 | Fishers of Men Ohio Alum Creek – Weeknight, Alum Creek (2026-06-18) | Alum Creek Lake | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| June 11, 2026 | Fishers of Men Ohio Alum Creek – Weeknight, Alum Creek (2026-06-11) | Alum Creek Lake | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| June 6, 2026 | OBF Region 1 Regional (2026) | Alum Creek Lake | Ohio Bass Federation (TBF) |
| June 6, 2026 | SAF Ohio High School State Championship (2026) | Alum Creek Lake | Student Angler Federation (TBF) |
| June 4, 2026 | Fishers of Men Ohio Alum Creek – Weeknight, Alum Creek (2026-06-04) | Alum Creek Lake | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| May 28, 2026 | Fishers of Men Ohio Alum Creek – Weeknight, Alum Creek (2026-05-28) | Alum Creek Lake | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| May 21, 2026 | Fishers of Men Ohio Alum Creek – Weeknight, Alum Creek (2026-05-21) | Alum Creek Lake | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| May 17, 2026 | USA Buckeye Bassmasters Alum Creek Open (2026) | Alum Creek Lake | Ohio Bass Federation (TBF) |
Organizer schedule and results pages (ODNR publishes no tournament calendar), checked October 2026.
Delaware County tackle and guide listings
Delaware County tackle and marina listings
- Alum Creek Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Sunbury
- Blaine Creek Custom Lures and Rodsbait and tackle shop, Westerville
- Liberty Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Powell
- Norton Sporting Goodsbait and tackle shop, Waldo
- Cabela's Columbussporting goods store, Columbus
- Dick's Sporting Goods Columbus, 1510 Polaris Parkwaysporting goods store, Columbus
Yellow Pages and chain store listings, charter and guide listings (county of business); retrieved October 2026.
Beside Delaware County
Where to sleep while fishing Delaware County
- Delawarepop. 41,302
- Powellpop. 14,163
- Sunburypop. 6,614
- Ashleypop. 1,198
- Ostranderpop. 1,094
County pages around Delaware County
- Union County19 miles west
- Morrow County20 miles northeast
- Franklin County21 miles south
- Marion County23 miles north
A Piscifun setup matched to Delaware County
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Photo ID for the fish of Delaware County
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Mike Heine, CC BY 4.0
Hunting in Delaware County
Public hunting land, seasons and processors for Delaware County are on State Hunting Spots, our sister site.
What Buckeye anglers ask about Delaware County
Which Delaware County launches are on the ODNR list?
16 public launches; 13 offer a concrete lane.
What is the biggest still water in Delaware County?
Alum Creek Lake, 3,331 acres by its ODNR outline.
What engine limits apply in Delaware County?
4 lake pages here carry an ODNR motor rule, 0 electric only; the table shows each.
What Delaware County stores keep fishing gear on the shelf?
Alum Creek Bait & Tackle is one of 6 shops and marinas here.
Can I book a paid fishing day out of Delaware County?
No captain gives a county address.
Which town flies the flag over the Delaware County courthouse?
Delaware, where the courthouse stands.
Do I need a special permit in Delaware County?
Expect to pay $25.00 as an Ohio resident, $76.96 as a nonresident or $10.00 as a resident senior; anglers under 16 need no license.
Which neighbors share a line with Delaware County?
The list above starts with Union County, Morrow County and Franklin County.
What district office serves Delaware County?
ODNR files it under ODNR Wildlife District One (Columbus office).
Do clubs hold events in Delaware County?
15 events on file; next is Fishers of Men Ohio Team Series Alum Creek (2027) on Alum Creek Lake, June 19, 2027.
Work the lakes and rivers of Delaware County
Every launch opens with directions.