Fishing in Hancock County, Ohio
Seat: Findlay. Fish management by ODNR Wildlife District Two (Findlay office).
- 5lake pages
- 6launches
- 1river pages
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Angling across Hancock County at a glance
With 74,920 residents counted in 2020, Hancock County is governed from Findlay. Its surface splits into 531 square miles of land and 2.3 of water in Census figures. For fish management the county reports to ODNR Wildlife District Two (Findlay office).
The county counts 5 lake pages and 1,158 acres of ODNR-mapped water, Findlay Reservoirs #2 the largest. Horsepower notes apply on 5 county lakes, and 1 allow electric motors only. 1 lake here hold 6 ODNR fish attractors between them. ODNR and local operators run 6 public launches here, 5 with a concrete lane, and the lots that report spaces hold 29 car-and-trailer rigs.
Census 2020 population and 2023 Gazetteer areas; ODNR Division of Wildlife lake outlines, horsepower and attractor layers, ODNR launch list; retrieved October 2026.
Pins for every launch and lake page in Hancock County
ODNR launch and fishing-access points, ODNR lake outlines (representative points) and ODNR stream access points. Checked October 2026.
Hancock County reservoirs and lakes by acreage
| Lake | Acres | Launches | Motor rule | Fish on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Findlay Reservoirs #2 | 645 | 1 | 10 HP limit | catfish, crappie, saugeye/walleye |
| Findlay Reservoirs #1 | 186 | 1 | electric motors only | walleye, yellow perch, channel catfish |
| Veterans Memorial Reservoir | 157 | 1 | 10 HP limit | |
| Lake Lecomte | 138 | 1 | 10 HP limit | channel catfish, saugeye, walleye |
| Lamberjack Reservoir | 33 | 1 | 10 HP limit | steelhead, channel catfish |
ODNR Division of Wildlife lake outlines (acres), horsepower restrictions, fish hot-spot maps and stocking records; retrieved October 2026.
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A further 2 lakes and ponds in Hancock County have ODNR outlines but little else on record.
| Water | Acres | Motor rule | Nearest place |
|---|---|---|---|
| McComb Reservoir Number Two | 20 | McComb | |
| McComb Reservoir Number One | 6 | McComb |
ODNR Division of Wildlife lake outlines and horsepower layer, retrieved October 2026.
Float and wade water in Hancock County
- Blanchard River18 ODNR access points, USGS gauge
Current USGS numbers across Hancock County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Blanchard River Near Findlay Oh | 15 cfs, 0.92 ft gage height | Nov 11 6:00 pm |
| Blanchard River Below Mt. Blanchard Oh | 8 cfs, 2.74 ft gage height | Nov 11 6:00 pm |
| Eagle Creek Above Findlay Oh | 3 cfs, 3.20 ft gage height | Nov 11 5:55 pm |
| Blanchard River Above Findlay Oh | 2 cfs, 5.02 ft gage height | Nov 11 6:00 pm |
| Lye Creek Above Findlay Oh | 0 cfs, 0.97 ft gage height | Nov 11 6:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 6:33 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.
Where Hancock County water is reachable
- Findlay Reservoir # 1 launchFindlay Reservoirs #1, concrete ramp, 1 lane, courtesy dock, no launch fee, electric motors only
- John C. Sausser Findlay Reservoir # 2 launchFindlay Reservoirs #2, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, 3 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, 10 HP limit
- Lake LaComte launch on Lake LecomteLake Lecomte, concrete ramp, 1 lane, 18 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, 10 HP limit
- Lake Lamberjack launchLamberjack Reservoir, concrete ramp, 1 lane, no launch fee, 10 HP limit
- Van Buren State Park RampVan Buren Lake, boat ramp, 8 trailer spaces, no launch fee, electric motors only
- Veterans Memorial Reservoir launchVeterans Memorial Reservoir, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, courtesy dock, no launch fee, 10 HP limit
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.
Ohio records and ODNR plants for Hancock County
371 ODNR stocking entries cover 4 lakes in the county between 1970 and 2022, chiefly 6,441,502 yellow perch, 4,154,142 walleye, 1,381,148 saugeye, 642,894 channel catfish.
The newest Hancock County stocking rows
| Year | Water | Species | Number and size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Findlay Reservoir #1 | Saugeye | 18,632 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Findlay Reservoir #1 | Walleye | 18,986 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Findlay Reservoir #2 | Saugeye | 64,745 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Findlay Reservoir #2 | Walleye | 64,550 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Lake Lecomte | Saugeye | 27,862 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Lamberjack Lake | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 catchable |
| 2021 | Findlay Reservoir #1 | Saugeye | 18,685 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Findlay Reservoir #1 | Walleye | 19,056 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Findlay Reservoir #1 | Yellow Perch | 46,560 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Findlay Reservoir #2 | Saugeye | 64,607 fingerlings |
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.
Ohio limits that govern Hancock County
Outside any listed exception, Hancock County waters use the statewide inland table.
| 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.
Where to buy bait and book a captain in Hancock County
Hancock County bait, tackle and dock slips
- Laffertys Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Van Buren
- Dick's Sporting Goods Findlaysporting goods store, Findlay
Yellow Pages and chain store listings, charter and guide listings (county of business); retrieved October 2026.
Near Hancock County
Hancock County communities to base a trip from
- Findlaypop. 40,313
- McCombpop. 1,558
- Arlingtonpop. 1,492
Counties a short drive from Hancock County
- Wyandot County21 miles southeast
- Hardin County23 miles south
- Putnam County24 miles west
- Wood County25 miles north
Piscifun reels to stow for Hancock County
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Shorelines and reservoirs by Hancock County, photographed
Photo: Minh Nguyen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Dakota Callaway, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Nyttend, Public domain
Photo: AthenaPolaris, CC BY-SA 4.0
Angling around Hancock County, in questions
Where can a trailered boat go in around Hancock County?
Count 6 public launches, of which 5 are concrete.
Which reservoir in Hancock County is the big one?
Findlay Reservoirs #2, 645 acres by its ODNR outline.
Are there motor rules on Hancock County lakes?
Motor limits apply at 5 lakes, 1 electric-only.
Which Hancock County counters stock hooks, line and lures?
2 listings, among them Laffertys Bait & Tackle.
How many guides are based in Hancock County?
None list the county; see the guides page.
Which Ohio community holds the Hancock County courthouse?
It is Findlay.
How much is an Ohio license for Hancock County?
From the 16th birthday on, Ohio charges $25.00 (resident), $76.96 (nonresident) or $10.00 (resident senior) for a year of fishing.
Where else is close to Hancock County?
Try Wyandot County, Hardin County and Putnam County.
Which ODNR office handles Hancock County?
The county belongs to ODNR Wildlife District Two (Findlay office).
Give a morning to Hancock County lakes
River pages list access points and gauges.