Clear Fork Reservoir Fishing
A 1,034-acre Ohio reservoir in Richland County and Morrow County, unlimited horsepower.
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What ODNR maps at Clear Fork Reservoir
Anglers get 1,034 acres of reservoir at Clear Fork Reservoir, a water of Richland County and Morrow County on the ODNR map. Its mapped shoreline runs about 18 miles. Gas, food and lodging are nearest in Lexington, roughly 4 miles away. ODNR Wildlife District Two (Findlay office) covers this water.
Expect unlimited horsepower on the water. ODNR hot-spot maps mark catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, muskie and sunfish. The launch inventory shows 1 public launch.
ODNR Division of Wildlife lake outlines (acres and shoreline miles), horsepower and fish hot-spot layers, Census places, retrieved October 26, 2026.
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ODNR sources connect these fish with Clear Fork Reservoir; others may swim there unlisted.
ODNR fish hot-spot layers, ODNR stocking records and Outdoor Writers of Ohio records, retrieved October 26, 2026.
Ohio launches on Clear Fork Reservoir
- Clear Fork Reservoir – Marinaconcrete ramp, 3 lanes, 18 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower, no wake; City of Mansfield
Boat ramps in the area of Clear Fork Reservoir
- Powers Reservoir launchPowers Reservoir, 9 miles west
- Amanns Reservoir launchAmanns Reservoir, 9 miles west
- Amicks Reservoir launchAmick Reservoir, 9 miles west
ODNR Parks and Watercraft boating facilities and DOW facility points, retrieved October 26, 2026.
Ohio limits at Clear Fork Reservoir
| Species | Daily limit and size | 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 |
At Clear Fork Reservoir the inland table holds, with any site-specific line overriding it.
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.
The closest lakes to Clear Fork Reservoir, side by side
Size-wise, Kokosing Lake leads the neighbors at 154 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | Motor rule | Hot-spot species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Fork Reservoir | 1,034 | 1 | unlimited horsepower | 5 | |
| Powers Reservoir | 9 miles west | 28 | 1 | electric motors only | 0 |
| Amick Reservoir | 10 miles west | 53 | 1 | electric motors only | 0 |
| Shelby Reservoir #3 | 14 miles north | 51 | 0 | 0 | |
| Kokosing Lake | 14 miles south | 154 | 1 | 10 HP limit | 0 |
| Mount Gilead | 15 miles southwest | 13 | 1 | electric motors only | 0 |
ODNR lake outlines, horsepower and hot-spot layers and the launch inventory, retrieved October 26, 2026.
A short hop from Clear Fork Reservoir
More ODNR lakes within reach of Clear Fork Reservoir
- Powers Reservoir9 miles west
- Amick Reservoir10 miles west
- Shelby Reservoir #314 miles north
- Kokosing Lake14 miles south
- Mount Gilead15 miles southwest
Bait and tackle counters serving Clear Fork Reservoir
- Dick's Sporting Goods Ontariosporting goods store, Ontario, 6 miles
- Mifflin Lakes Trading Postbait and tackle shop, Ashland, 15 miles
- Pleasant Hill Marinamarina, Perrysville, 16 miles
- Grandpa's Tackle Boxbait and tackle shop, Fredericktown, 16 miles
- Fin Feather Fur Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Ashland, 23 miles
- Apple Valley Marinamarina, Howard, 24 miles
Paid trips on Clear Fork Reservoir from Ohio
- Fat Boy Sportfishing Charterscharter, Lake Erie, Wellington, (440) 387-7676
- The Trout Clubfishing guide, Brinkhaven, (740) 824-4757
Overnight options around Clear Fork Reservoir
- Lexington4 miles
- Ontario4 miles
- Mansfield7 miles
The county guides that include Clear Fork Reservoir
- Richland Countyseat: Mansfield
- Morrow Countyseat: Mount Gilead
Piscifun picks for a run at Clear Fork Reservoir
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Lakes, rivers and shore close to Clear Fork Reservoir, pictured
Photo: Aaron Zhu, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Tim Kiser, CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Tim Kiser ( w:Malepheasant ), CC BY-SA 2.5
Ask-and-answer notes on Clear Fork Reservoir
Which ODNR district covers Clear Fork Reservoir?
Ohio anglers find it in Richland County and Morrow County, ODNR Wildlife District Two (Findlay office), about 4 miles from Lexington.
How much water does Clear Fork Reservoir hold at the surface?
About 1,034 acres, with about 18 miles of shoreline.
Where is the boat ramp at Clear Fork Reservoir?
Yes, 1 public launch, including Clear Fork Reservoir – Marina.
Which fish do ODNR files connect with Clear Fork Reservoir?
Listed fish: catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, muskellunge and sunfish.
What can go in the cooler at Clear Fork Reservoir under Ohio rules?
Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass: 5 (singly or in combination); minimum 12 inches; Open year-round.
Can an out-of-state visitor fish Clear Fork Reservoir?
Anglers 16 and older need an Ohio fishing license: $25.00 a year for residents, $76.96 for nonresidents and $10.00 for residents 65 and older.
What motor rule applies at Clear Fork Reservoir?
Posted rule: unlimited horsepower.
Which listed shop is the shortest drive from Clear Fork Reservoir?
Dick's Sporting Goods Ontario, about 6 miles away.
Circle a date for Clear Fork Reservoir
License prices and the full ODNR limit tables are on one page.