Jackson Lake Fishing
A 252-acre Ohio lake in Jackson County, 10 HP limit.
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Ohio notes on Jackson Lake
Measured from its ODNR outline, Jackson Lake holds 252 acres of water in Jackson County. Shoreline on the ODNR outline totals about 11.1 miles. Oak Hill is the closest Census place, about 3 miles from the outline point.
The horsepower layer sets 10 HP limit. Trailers go in at 2 public launches.
ODNR Division of Wildlife lake outlines (acres and shoreline miles), horsepower and fish hot-spot layers, Census places, retrieved October 26, 2026.
Ohio fish found at Jackson Lake
Tap a chip to open the Ohio page for that fish, as recorded at Jackson Lake.
ODNR fish hot-spot layers, ODNR stocking records and Outdoor Writers of Ohio records, retrieved October 26, 2026.
For the channel catfish herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 Ramps ODNR lists for Jackson Lake
- Jackson Lake State Park Rampconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 20 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, Greater than 10 HP – No Wake; ODNR Division of Parks & Recreation
- Jackson Lake State Park – Furnace Rampboat ramp, 3 trailer spaces, no launch fee, Greater than 10 HP – No Wake; ODNR Division of Parks & Recreation
More public ramps near Jackson Lake
- Hammertown Reservoir launch on Hammertown City ReservoirHammertown City Reservoir, 10 miles northwest
ODNR Parks and Watercraft boating facilities and DOW facility points, retrieved October 26, 2026.
How many fish to keep at Jackson Lake
| 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 |
Statewide inland rows cover Jackson Lake unless a site-specific entry below changes them.
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.
What ODNR has stocked in Jackson Lake
ODNR stocking records list 63 releases into Jackson Lake between 1970 and 2021; the largest totals are 142,384 channel catfish, 75,032 largemouth bass, 19,982 tiger muskie.
| Year | Species | Number | Size or stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Channel Catfish | 1,166 | yearling |
| 2021 | Channel Catfish | 3,837 | yearling |
| 2019 | Channel Catfish | 3,901 | yearling |
| 2019 | Channel Catfish | 1,196 | yearling |
| 2017 | Channel Catfish | 5,018 | yearling |
| 2015 | Channel Catfish | 5,018 | yearling |
| 2013 | Channel Catfish | 70 | yearling |
| 2013 | Channel Catfish | 1,010 | yearling |
| 2011 | Channel Catfish | 5,049 | yearling |
| 2009 | Channel Catfish | 5,326 | yearling |
| 2009 | Saugeye | 15,868 | fingerlings |
| 2007 | Channel Catfish | 5,082 | yearling |
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.
Sizing Jackson Lake against its Ohio neighbors
If you want more room, Lake White offers 333 acres within this group.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | Motor rule | Hot-spot species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Lake | 252 | 2 | 10 HP limit | 0 | |
| Tycoon Lake | 14 miles east | 183 | 1 | electric motors only | 0 |
| Lake Alma | 16 miles north | 68 | 2 | electric motors only | 0 |
| Lake Rupert | 19 miles north | 327 | 1 | unlimited horsepower, no wake | 5 |
| Timbre Ridge Lake | 22 miles southeast | 98 | 1 | electric motors only | 0 |
| Lake White | 26 miles northwest | 333 | 3 | unlimited horsepower | 0 |
ODNR lake outlines, horsepower and hot-spot layers and the launch inventory, retrieved October 26, 2026.
Beside Jackson Lake
Other Ohio lakes close to Jackson Lake
- Tycoon Lake14 miles east
- Lake Alma16 miles north
- Lake Rupert19 miles north
- Timbre Ridge Lake22 miles southeast
- Lake White26 miles northwest
Bait shops a short drive from Jackson Lake
- Bidwell Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bidwell, 17 miles
Towns to sleep in near Jackson Lake
- Oak Hill3 miles
- Jackson9 miles
- Wellston14 miles
Ohio county pages for Jackson Lake
- Jackson Countyseat: Jackson
A Piscifun setup matched to Jackson Lake
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Spotting the fish of Jackson Lake by photo
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Mike Heine, CC BY 4.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Jackson Lake, answered in short
How do I find Jackson Lake on an Ohio map?
Its outline falls in Jackson County, about 3 miles from Oak Hill.
Is Jackson Lake a big lake by Ohio standards?
252 acres on the ODNR map, with about 11.1 miles of shoreline.
Is there a trailer ramp ODNR lists for Jackson Lake?
2 public launches; Jackson Lake State Park Ramp has the most trailer room on file.
What does the ODNR fish roster say about Jackson Lake?
channel catfish, tiger muskellunge, largemouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, walleye and flathead catfish, by ODNR records.
How many bass may an Ohio angler keep from Jackson Lake?
Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass: 5 (singly or in combination); minimum 12 inches; Open year-round.
What will an Ohio license set me back for Jackson Lake?
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.
Does Ohio limit Jackson Lake to electric motors?
Plan for 10 HP limit.
Where do Jackson Lake anglers stock up?
Bidwell Bait & Tackle is nearest at 17 miles.
What year did ODNR last stock Jackson Lake?
63 stocking lines, the latest year 2021, chiefly channel catfish.
Drive the Ohio back roads to Jackson Lake
Fees, seasons and site rules sit on the license page.