Deer Creek Lake

Pickaway County, Ohio

Deer Creek Lake is a large reservoir in Deer Creek State Park, about 4 miles south of Mount Sterling on State Route 207. It is known for saugeye, crappie and bluegill, with a lodge and marina on site.

Air temp in New Holland, OH Loading current temperature…

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

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

Surface area1,290 acres

Max depth35 ft

Shoreline—

Boat motorsUnlimited

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Saugeye●●●●○

Stocked each year as fingerlings.

Crappie●●●●○

Special limit of 30 with a 9 inch minimum.

Bluegill●●●●○

Brush piles at shoreline access sites help panfish.

Largemouth Bass●●●○○

Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.

White Bass●●●○○

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

Channel Catfish●●●○○

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

Boat launches

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

State Route 207 boat rampRamp
Public ramp off SR 207. Deer Creek State Park also has a marina with rentals, fuel and seasonal docks.Directions ↗
Township Road 197 rampRamp
Public boat ramp.Directions ↗
Deer Creek State Park marinaMarina
Fuel, boat rental and seasonal dock rental.Directions ↗
4East Ramp (Harding Cabin)Ramp
Launch with dock or marina, Twp Hwy 198 off of Deer Creek Road, Mt. Sterling. No horsepower limit. (740) 869-3124.Directions ↗
5West RampRamp
Public boat launch, St. Rt.#207, approx. 1 mile west of Waterloo, Mt. Sterling. No horsepower limit. (740) 869-3124.Directions ↗
More public accessPublic
See the ODNR or lake 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 crappie, singly or combined.	9 in	30

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.

Mary's Bait ShopNearby
4741 State Route 207 NE, Washington Court House, OH 43160(740) 869-3597 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Deer Creek Lake ↗

Local tips

Fish the brush piles at shoreline access sites for crappie and bluegill.
Gizzard shad are the main forage. Use shad-colored lures.
Check the crappie rule: 30 fish, 9 inch minimum.

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.

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.