Fishing in Lorain County, Ohio
Seat: Elyria. Fish management by ODNR Wildlife District Three (Akron office).
- 3lake pages
- 13launches
- 4river pages
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Lorain County from a fishing point of view
Lorain County keeps its courthouse in Elyria, and its 2020 Census count was 312,964 people. Land covers 491 square miles here; water accounts for another 432.2. ODNR data place the county in ODNR Wildlife District Three (Akron office). The county fronts Lake Erie, with 9 lake launches and 13 shore sites on the shore.
Wellington Upground Reservoir heads a list of 3 county lakes with pages, which add up to 270 acres. 3 of the 3 lakes with a horsepower note are electric-only water. The launch list shows 13 public launches; concrete lanes at 13, and 607 trailer spaces where a count is printed. Vermilion River receive ODNR steelhead smolts.
Census 2020 population and 2023 Gazetteer areas; ODNR Division of Wildlife lake outlines, horsepower and attractor layers, ODNR launch list; retrieved October 2026.
For the steelhead herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Mapping lakes and ramps in Lorain County
ODNR launch and fishing-access points, ODNR lake outlines (representative points) and ODNR stream access points. Checked October 2026.
Lakes with pages inside Lorain County
| Lake | Acres | Launches | Motor rule | Fish on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellington Upground Reservoir | 159 | 1 | electric motors only | yellow perch, walleye, smallmouth bass |
| Findley Lake | 85 | 2 | electric motors only | channel catfish, northern pike |
| Wellington South Reservoir | 26 | 1 | electric motors only | channel catfish, largemouth bass, northern pike |
The nearest lake pages to Elyria sit outside Lorain County.
| Lake | From Elyria | Acres | Launches | Motor rule | Fish on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spencer Lake | 18 miles south | 86 | 2 | electric motors only | channel catfish, largemouth bass, chain pickerel |
| Chippewa Lake | 24 miles southeast | 335 | 0 | 12 mph max speed | saugeye, channel catfish |
| Norwalk Upper Reservoir | 26 miles west | 48 | 1 | electric motors only | |
| Norwalk Lower Reservoir | 27 miles west | 31 | 1 | electric motors only | |
| Memorial Reservoir | 27 miles west | 93 | 1 | electric motors only | |
| New London Reservoir | 27 miles southwest | 212 | 1 | electric motors only | walleye, yellow perch, channel catfish |
ODNR Division of Wildlife lake outlines (acres), horsepower restrictions, fish hot-spot maps and stocking records; retrieved October 2026.
Lorain County rivers and creeks
- Vermilion Riversteelhead stream (50,000 stocked a year), 8 ODNR access points, USGS gauge
- Black River8 ODNR access points, USGS gauge
- East Branch Black River6 ODNR access points
- West Branch Rocky River4 ODNR access points, USGS gauge
Steelhead water across Lorain County
Look up Vermilion River for the yearly ODNR steelhead plants.
Lorain County creeks listed by name (1)
- West Branch Black River3 ODNR access points
How Lorain County streams are flowing now
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Vermilion River Near Vermilion Oh | 593 cfs, 3.51 ft gage height | Nov 12 9:00 pm |
| Black River At Elyria Oh | 156 cfs, 1.76 ft gage height | Nov 12 9:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 9:33 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.
Launch lanes and shore sites in Lorain County
- Findley State Park – Camper RampFindley Lake, concrete ramp, 1 lane, courtesy dock, no launch fee, electric motors only
- Findley State Park – Main RampFindley Lake, concrete ramp, 1 lane, 24 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, electric motors only
- Wellington South Reservoir launchWellington South Reservoir, concrete ramp, 1 lane, 40 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, electric motors only
- Wellington Upground Reservoir launchWellington Upground Reservoir, concrete ramp, 1 lane, 3 trailer spaces, no launch fee, electric motors only
- Beaver Park Marina on Central Basin of Lake ErieCentral Basin of Lake Erie, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, 20 trailer spaces, launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Black River Wharf Launch on Central Basin of Lake ErieCentral Basin of Lake Erie, concrete ramp, 6 lanes, 185 trailer spaces, launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Lakeside Launch (aka- Eastside ramp) on Central Basin of Lake ErieCentral Basin of Lake Erie, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, 33 trailer spaces, launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Lorain City Park & Launch (Hot Waters) on Central Basin of Lake ErieCentral Basin of Lake Erie, concrete ramp, 6 lanes, 200 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Maple Grove Marina & Park on Central Basin of Lake ErieCentral Basin of Lake Erie, concrete ramp, 1 lane, 6 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Mario's Landing on Central Basin of Lake ErieCentral Basin of Lake Erie, concrete ramp, 1 lane, 6 trailer spaces, launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Miller Road Boat Ramp on Central Basin of Lake ErieCentral Basin of Lake Erie, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, 70 trailer spaces, launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Riverview Inc. RV Park & Marina on Central Basin of Lake ErieCentral Basin of Lake Erie, concrete ramp, 1 lane, 6 trailer spaces, launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Sheffield Lake Community Park Boat Ramp on Central Basin of Lake ErieCentral Basin of Lake Erie, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, 14 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
Walk-up spots across Lorain County (13)
- Brownhelm Township Lakefront Parkshore fishing, parking, Brownhelm Township, Central Basin of Lake Erie
- Century Parkfishing pier, parking, restrooms, City of Lorain, Central Basin of Lake Erie
- Lakeside Landingfishing pier, parking, restrooms, lighthouse, Lorain Port Authority, Central Basin of Lake Erie
- Lakeview Parkshore fishing, parking, restrooms, lighthouse, City of Lorain/LC Metpark, Central Basin of Lake Erie
- Lakewood Beach Parkshore fishing, parking, City of Sheffield Lake, Central Basin of Lake Erie
- Lorain Public Boat Ramp fishing access near Lorainfishing pier, parking, restrooms, lighthouse, City of Lorain, Central Basin of Lake Erie
- Lorain Public Fishing Pierfishing pier, parking, lighthouse, City of Lorain, Central Basin of Lake Erie
- Miller Road Parkfishing pier, parking, restrooms, City of Avon Lake, Central Basin of Lake Erie
- Sheffield Lake Community Parkfishing pier, parking, City of Sheffield Lake, Central Basin of Lake Erie
- Showse Parkfishing pier, parking, restrooms, City of Vermilion, Central Basin of Lake Erie
- Veterans Memorial Parkfishing pier, parking, restrooms, City of Avon Lake, Central Basin of Lake Erie
- Waverly Place Parkshore fishing, City of Lorain, Central Basin of Lake Erie
- West Shore Parkshore fishing, parking, City of Sheffield Lake, Central Basin of Lake Erie
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.
Lake Erie trips from Lorain County
ODNR coastal data give this county 9 launches, 13 shore sites, 14 marinas and docks and 1 river mouth on the Central Basin.
Erie perch limits split into zones, and the rows below are the ones for this shore.
| Species | Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass | Lake Erie | 5 (singly or in combination); minimum 14 inches | March 1 – April 30, 2026 |
| Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass | Lake Erie | 1 (singly or in combination); minimum 18 inches | May 1 – June 26, 2026 |
| Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass | Lake Erie | 5 (singly or in combination); minimum 14 inches | June 27, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Walleye, Saugeye, & Sauger | Lake Erie | 6 (singly or in combination); minimum 15 inches | March 1 – April 30, 2026 |
| Walleye | Lake Erie | 6; minimum 15 inches | May 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Walleye | Lake Erie | 6; minimum 15 inches | March 1 – April 30, 2027 |
| Striped, Hybrid, & White Bass | Lake Erie | No daily limit | Open year-round |
| Yellow Perch | Lake Erie Central Zone | Central Zone: 10 | March 1 – April 30, 2026 |
| Yellow Perch | Lake Erie Central Zone | CENTRAL ZONE DAILY BAG LIMIT: 10; minimum No minimum size for yellow perch. | May 1, 2026 – April 30, 2027 |
| Trout & Salmon | Lake Erie proper and the entire length of all Lake Erie creeks, rivers, and tributaries | 2 (singly or in combination); minimum 12 inches | March 1 – May 15, 2026 |
| Trout & Salmon | Lake Erie proper and the entire length of all Lake Erie creeks, rivers, and tributaries | 5 (singly or in combination); minimum 12 inches | May 16 – Aug. 31, 2026 |
| Trout & Salmon | Lake Erie proper and the entire length of all Lake Erie creeks, rivers, and tributaries | 2 (singly or in combination); minimum 12 inches | Sept. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Trout & Salmon | Cold Creek upstream of State Route 2 (Erie County) | 5 (singly or in combination) | Open year-round |
ODNR Office of Coastal Management Lake Erie access, marinas and river mouths; 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.
Lorain County hatchery releases and records
County lakes took 122 ODNR stockings in 1970 to 2022 on 3 waters, topped by 1,157,889 walleye, 428,598 yellow perch, 126,978 channel catfish, 101,230 smallmouth bass.
Recent hatchery releases in Lorain County
| Year | Water | Species | Number and size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Findley Lake | Channel Catfish | 2,125 adv. fingerlings |
| 2021 | Wellington Reservoir South | Channel Catfish | 650 yearling |
| 2021 | Wellington Upground Reservoir | Yellow Perch | 39,872 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Wellington Upground Reservoir | Yellow Perch | 40,110 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Findley Lake | Channel Catfish | 2,159 yearling |
| 2020 | Wellington Upground Reservoir | Channel Catfish | 7,965 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Wellington Upground Reservoir | Yellow Perch | 39,760 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Wellington Reservoir South | Channel Catfish | 665 yearling |
| 2019 | Wellington Upground Reservoir | Yellow Perch | 43,080 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Wellington Upground Reservoir | Yellow Perch | 6,855 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.
Lorain County limits from the ODNR booklet
Unless named in the site-specific list, a Lorain County lake follows these statewide rows.
| 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.
Weigh-ins held in Lorain County
Of 1 listed events here, 0 have not been held yet.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 6, 2026 | LEWT Lorain Pro-Am (2026) | Lake Erie | Lake Erie Walleye Trail (LEWT) |
Organizer schedule and results pages (ODNR publishes no tournament calendar), checked October 2026.
Stocking up for Lorain County water
Bait counters and marinas of Lorain County
- Bad Boy Bait, Tackle & Morebait and tackle shop, Vermilion
- Erie Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Sheffield Lake
- Erie Shores Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Vermilion
- Eyepopper Fishing Businessbait and tackle shop, Avon
- Hot Water Marinabait and tackle shop, Lorain
- Hotwaters Fish Cleaningbait and tackle shop, Vermilion
- John's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Avon Lake
- Lakeside Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Lorain
- The Reel Deal Tackle Shop & Reel Repairbait and tackle shop, Amherst
- Avon Lake Boat Launchmarina, Avon Lake
- Cabela's Avonsporting goods store, Avon
- Copper Kettle Marinamarina, Lorain
- Dick's Sporting Goods Avonsporting goods store, Avon
- Gene's Marine Sales & Servicemarina, Lorain
- Maple Grove Marina & Parkmarina, Vermilion
- Marine Servicemarina, Lorain
- Mario's Landingmarina, Vermilion
- Spitzer Lakeside Marinamarina, Lorain
- Spitzer Riverside Marinamarina, Lorain
Lake and river captains of Lorain County
- A Reel Thrill Charterscharter, Lake Erie, Lorain, (216) 570-3169
- Fat Boy Sportfishing Charterscharter, Lake Erie, Wellington, (440) 387-7676
- Three lil Birds Charterscharter, Lake Erie, Lorain, (440) 823-5116
Yellow Pages and chain store listings, charter and guide listings (county of business); retrieved October 2026.
Close by Lorain County
Overnight bases in Lorain County
- Lorainpop. 65,211
- Elyriapop. 52,656
- North Ridgevillepop. 35,280
- Avon Lakepop. 25,206
- Avonpop. 24,847
- Amherstpop. 12,681
- Vermilionpop. 10,659
- Sheffield Lakepop. 8,957
- Oberlinpop. 8,555
- Graftonpop. 5,895
- Wellingtonpop. 4,799
- Sheffieldpop. 4,135
- LaGrangepop. 2,595
- South Amherstpop. 1,581
Next county pages over from Lorain County
- Erie County21 miles west
- Medina County27 miles southeast
- Huron County30 miles southwest
- Cuyahoga County31 miles east
Reels and line from Piscifun for Lorain County
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Shorelines and reservoirs by Lorain County, photographed
Photo: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: George Neat, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Rona Proudfoot, CC BY-SA 2.0
Lorain County waters: frequent questions
How many boat launches serve Lorain County?
13 public launches are listed above, 13 with concrete lanes.
Where is the most open water in Lorain County?
Wellington Upground Reservoir, 159 acres by its ODNR outline.
Do Lorain County lakes have horsepower limits?
3 electric-only lakes and 3 with any motor rule.
Which Lorain County stores carry Ohio tackle?
19 in the county, such as Bad Boy Bait, Tackle & More.
Which guides list Lorain County?
Count 3 guides and charters with a county address.
Which community is seat of Lorain County?
Elyria is the seat.
How much does an out-of-state angler pay for Lorain County water?
Ohio residents buy a $25.00 annual license, out-of-state anglers $76.96, and seniors living in Ohio $10.00; the rule starts at 16. Lake Erie charters and shore anglers use the same license; Ohio sells no Erie permit.
Which counties surround Lorain County?
The nearest county pages are Erie County, Medina County and Huron County.
Which ODNR district covers Lorain County?
ODNR places it in ODNR Wildlife District Three (Akron office).
What tournaments run in Lorain County?
1 event on file from organizer pages, none still ahead.
Does ODNR stock steelhead in Lorain County?
Vermilion River, stocked through the ODNR steelhead program.
Which Lake Erie ramps serve Lorain County?
Yes: 9 launches and 13 shore sites on the lake, listed in the access table above.
Choose an ODNR lake in Lorain County
Open a lake for its ramps, limits and stocking history.