Hoover Reservoir Fishing
A 2,884-acre Ohio reservoir in Delaware County and Franklin County, 10 HP limit.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: Kevin Payravi, CC BY-SA 4.0
What ODNR maps at Hoover Reservoir
Anglers get 2,884 acres of reservoir at Hoover Reservoir, a water of Delaware County and Franklin County on the ODNR map. Its mapped shoreline runs about 44.9 miles. Gas, food and lodging are nearest in Westerville, roughly 4 miles away. ODNR Wildlife District One (Columbus office) covers this water.
Expect 10 HP limit on the water. The launch inventory shows 5 public launches. The 2026-27 booklet names it in 1 site-specific entry.
ODNR Division of Wildlife lake outlines (acres and shoreline miles), horsepower and fish hot-spot layers, Census places, retrieved October 26, 2026.
Ohio fish ODNR records at Hoover Reservoir
ODNR sources connect these fish with Hoover Reservoir; others may swim there unlisted.
ODNR fish hot-spot layers, ODNR stocking records and Outdoor Writers of Ohio records, retrieved October 26, 2026.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Ohio launches on Hoover Reservoir
- Walnut Street Launch Ramp on Hoover Reservoirconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 48 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, 10 HP limit; City of Columbus Water Division
- Hoover Reservoir – Maxtown launchconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 44 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, 10 HP limit; City of Columbus Water Division
- Hoover Reservoir – Twin Bridges Launchgravel ramp, 2 lanes, 40 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, 10 HP limit; City of Columbus Water Division
- Hoover Reservoir – Oxbow Road Launch Rampboat ramp, 26 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, 10 HP limit; City of Columbus Water Division
- Hoover Reservoir – Baldridge Boat Rampconcrete ramp, 1 lane, 11 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, 10 HP limit; City of Columbus Water Division
Boat ramps in the area of Hoover Reservoir
- Alum Creek State Park – New GalenaAlum Creek Lake, 5 miles northwest
- Alum Creek State Park- Hollenback Ramp and MarinaAlum Creek Lake, 6 miles northwest
- Alum Creek State Park – CheshireAlum Creek Lake, 7 miles northwest
- Alum Creek State Park – Campground/ChurchAlum Creek Lake, 8 miles northwest
- Alum Creek State Park – Howard RoadAlum Creek Lake, 10 miles northwest
ODNR Parks and Watercraft boating facilities and DOW facility points, retrieved October 26, 2026.
Elevation updates for Hoover Reservoir
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Hoover Reservoir At Central College Oh | 890.60 ft lake elevation | Oct 27 6:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 27, 2026 7:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
The level panel above reads straight from the USGS gauge on Hoover Reservoir.
Ohio limits at Hoover 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 Hoover Reservoir the inland table holds, with any site-specific line overriding it.
Special lake rules at Hoover Reservoir
| Water as printed | Species | Limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoover | Black & White Crappie | 30; minimum 9 inches | Open year-round |
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.
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.
Hatchery fish released into Hoover Reservoir
Between 1970 and 2022, ODNR logged 235 stocking entries for Hoover Reservoir, led by 23,444,465 saugeye, 12,748,830 walleye, 341,836 blue catfish.
| Year | Species | Number | Size or stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Saugeye | 139,395 | fingerlings |
| 2022 | Saugeye | 7,228 | fingerlings |
| 2021 | Saugeye | 68,677 | fingerlings |
| 2021 | Saugeye | 220,200 | fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 55,709 | fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 143,537 | fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 89,208 | fingerlings |
| 2020 | Blue Catfish | 8,633 | adv. fingerlings |
| 2020 | Blue Catfish | 14,443 | adv. fingerlings |
| 2020 | Blue Catfish | 14,519 | adv. fingerlings |
| 2020 | Blue Catfish | 5,350 | adv. fingerlings |
| 2020 | Blue Catfish | 10,268 | adv. 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); retrieved October 26, 2026.
State records landed at Hoover Reservoir
| Species | Weight | Length | Angler | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sucker, Buffalo | 50.9 lb | 39-3/4" | Andrew Peffly, Fairborn | July 8, 2023 |
Outdoor Writers of Ohio, Ohio Record Fish page, retrieved October 26, 2026. All Ohio records.
The closest lakes to Hoover Reservoir, side by side
Size-wise, Alum Creek Lake leads the neighbors at 3,331 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | Motor rule | Hot-spot species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoover Reservoir | 2,884 | 5 | 10 HP limit | 0 | |
| Alum Creek Lake | 8 miles northwest | 3,331 | 5 | unlimited horsepower | 7 |
| Antrim Lake | 10 miles southwest | 42 | 0 | 0 | |
| Griggs Reservoir | 14 miles southwest | 387 | 0 | 0 | |
| O'Shaughnessy Reservoir | 14 miles west | 896 | 4 | unlimited horsepower | 0 |
| Delaware Lake | 19 miles northwest | 1,215 | 3 | unlimited horsepower | 4 |
ODNR lake outlines, horsepower and hot-spot layers and the launch inventory, retrieved October 26, 2026.
A short hop from Hoover Reservoir
More ODNR lakes within reach of Hoover Reservoir
- Alum Creek Lake8 miles northwest
- Antrim Lake10 miles southwest
- Griggs Reservoir14 miles southwest
- O'Shaughnessy Reservoir14 miles west
- Delaware Lake19 miles northwest
Bait and tackle counters serving Hoover Reservoir
- Blaine Creek Custom Lures and Rodsbait and tackle shop, Westerville, 3 miles
- Cabela's Columbussporting goods store, Columbus, 5 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Columbus, 1510 Polaris Parkwaysporting goods store, Columbus, 6 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Columbus, 4280 Easton Gateway Drivesporting goods store, Columbus, 8 miles
- Alum Creek Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Sunbury, 8 miles
- Liberty Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Powell, 11 miles
Overnight options around Hoover Reservoir
- Westerville4 miles
- Huber Ridge6 miles
- Sunbury6 miles
The county guides that include Hoover Reservoir
- Delaware Countyseat: Delaware
- Franklin Countyseat: Columbus
Piscifun picks for a run at Hoover Reservoir
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Lakes, rivers and shore close to Hoover Reservoir, pictured
Photo: Sixflashphoto, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Sixflashphoto, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ɱ, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: JlNPhotos, CC BY-SA 4.0
Ask-and-answer notes on Hoover Reservoir
Which ODNR district covers Hoover Reservoir?
Ohio anglers find it in Delaware County and Franklin County, ODNR Wildlife District One (Columbus office), about 4 miles from Westerville.
How much water does Hoover Reservoir hold at the surface?
About 2,884 acres, with about 44.9 miles of shoreline.
Where is the boat ramp at Hoover Reservoir?
Yes, 5 public launches, including Walnut Street Launch Ramp on Hoover Reservoir.
Which fish do ODNR files connect with Hoover Reservoir?
Listed fish: buffalo sucker, saugeye, walleye, blue catfish and muskellunge.
What can go in the cooler at Hoover Reservoir under Ohio rules?
Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass: 5 (singly or in combination); minimum 12 inches; Open year-round. ODNR prints extra limits for it, listed above.
Can an out-of-state visitor fish Hoover 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 Hoover Reservoir?
Posted rule: 10 HP limit.
Which listed shop is the shortest drive from Hoover Reservoir?
Blaine Creek Custom Lures and Rods, about 3 miles away.
Is Hoover Reservoir on the stocking records?
From 1970 to 2022: 235 releases, saugeye first.
What does the gauge at Hoover Reservoir read?
See the USGS reading above.
Is Hoover Reservoir in the Ohio record book?
Sucker, Buffalo, 50.9 lb, by Andrew Peffly (July 8, 2023).
Circle a date for Hoover Reservoir
License prices and the full ODNR limit tables are on one page.