Alum Creek Lake

Delaware County, Ohio

Alum Creek Lake is a flood-control reservoir north of Columbus in Delaware County, managed with Alum Creek State Park. Maximum depth is about 60 feet near the dam; unlimited horsepower is allowed south of US 36/SR 37 and the north end is a no-wake zone.

Air temp in Kilbourne, OH Loading current temperature…

Red pins match the numbered boat launches below. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Alum Creek Lake (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area3,387 acres

Max depth60 ft

Shoreline—

Boat motorsUnlimited horsepower (south of US 36/SR 37; no-wake north)

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Smallmouth Bass●●●●○

Fish of 10-14 inches are common, with some 5-6 lb fish.

Largemouth Bass●●●●○

Strong year classes reported by ODNR.

Crappie●●●●○

Excellent numbers in recent surveys.

Saugeye●●●○○

Typically 17-20 inches.

Muskellunge●●●○○

Stocked annually; best May-July.

White Bass●●●●○

Excellent population per ODNR.

Boat launches

7 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

1New Galena Launch RampPublic
State park ramp, south end near dam; life jacket loanersDirections ↗
2Hollenback Launch (Marina)Public
Ramp at Hollenback Rd, west sideDirections ↗
3Cheshire RampPublic
State park rampDirections ↗
4Howard Road RampPublic
State park ramp, north end (no-wake zone)Directions ↗
5Campground/ChurchRamp
Public boat launch, 2911 South Old State Road, Delaware. No horsepower limit. (740) 548-4631.Directions ↗
6Kilbourne Hand LaunchRamp
Public boat launch, 2 - 521 Killbourne/Hogback Road, Kilbourne. No horsepower limit. (740) 548-4631.Directions ↗
More public accessPublic
See ODNR or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.

Species	Min size	Daily limit
Crappie Black and white combined	9 in	30 / day

Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife ↗

Verified October 2026. Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Alum Creek MarinaNearby
4000 Hollenback Rd, Lewis Center, OH 43035(740) 548-6056 Directions ↗
Cheshire MarketNearby
5094 Cheshire Rd, Galena, OH 43021(740) 548-6334 Directions ↗
Sambuca's Market and GreenhouseNearby
577 Walnut St, Galena, OH 43021(740) 965-4422 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Alum Creek Lake ↗

Local tips

North of US 36/SR 37 is a quiet no-wake zone good for coves and inlets.
Life jacket loaner boards are at New Galena, Cheshire and Marina ramps.
Check ODH water quality advisories in summer.

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.

More Ohio lakes

Seneca Lake Buckeye Lake Salt Fork Lake Hoover Reservoir West Branch Reservoir (Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir) Caesar Creek Lake Tappan Lake Piedmont Lake All Ohio lakes →

Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.