Clear Fork Reservoir

Richland County, Ohio

Clear Fork Reservoir is a city of Mansfield water supply lake on the Richland and Morrow county line, about eight miles southwest of Mansfield. It is known for muskie and has a public ramp and marina on the south side.

Air temp Loading current temperature…

Red pins match the numbered boat launches below. Outline: U.S. Geological Survey, National Hydrography Dataset.

Current air temperature at Clear Fork Reservoir (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area971 acres

Max depth24 ft

Shoreline14 mi

Boat motorsNo hp limit, but boats over 10 hp must run without a wake (8 mph speed limit)

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Muskellunge●●●●○

Big baits along weed edges and rock bars, best in fall.

Crappie●●●○○

Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.

Largemouth Bass●●●○○

Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.

White Bass●●●○○

Schools chasing shad in open water, and spring river runs.

Yellow Perch●●●○○

Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.

Channel Catfish●●●○○

Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.

Boat launches

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

1South shore ramp and marinaMarina
Public ramp and marina east of Bowers Road, off State Route 97. No launch fee.Directions ↗
Shore fishingPublic
Allowed only along the south and west shores, from the Orewiler Road bridge to 1,000 feet upstream of the dam.Directions ↗
More public accessPublic
See the ODNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Clear Fork Reservoir are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife ↗

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.

Robin's NestNearby
7471 St Rt 97, Lexington, OH419-884-3650 Directions ↗
Milt's Quick StopNearby
518 Mans-Lucas Rd, Mansfield, OH419-522-1040 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Clear Fork Reservoir ↗

Local tips

The upper end is shallow with stumps. The lower end is deeper and more open.
Fish the mid-lake islands for structure.
Shore anglers must stay within the posted shoreline stretch.

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

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