Army Corps reservoir

Delaware Lake

Delaware County, Ohio

Delaware Lake is a Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Olentangy River, about 3 miles north of Delaware in central Ohio. It is best known for crappie fishing, with catfish, bass and white bass also in the mix.

Air temp in Waldo, OH Not available right now.

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

Current air temperature at Delaware Lake (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area1,300 acres

Max depth—

Shoreline32 mi

Boat motorsUnlimited

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Crappie●●●●●

Strong black and white crappie numbers. Tournament fish have averaged about a pound.

Channel Catfish●●●●○

Catch rates were about three times the state average, mostly under 15 inches.

Largemouth Bass●●●○○

Numbers are down lately. Most fish run 12 to 15 inches.

White Bass●●●○○

Good in season.

Bluegill●●●○○

Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.

Boat launches

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

Delaware State Park marinaMarina
West side. Seasonal marina with ramp, fuel, boat rental and bait and supplies.Directions ↗
Delaware Wildlife AreaPublic
Northwest and east side access.Directions ↗
3Wildlife RampRamp
Public boat launch, Horseshoe & Sherwood Road, Delaware. No horsepower limit. (614) 644-3925.Directions ↗
4South RampRamp
Launch with dock or marina, 5202 U.S. Rt. 23 N., Delaware. No horsepower limit. (740) 548-4631.Directions ↗
5Main RampRamp
Launch with dock or marina, 5202 U.S. Rt. 23 N., Delaware. No horsepower limit. (740) 548-4631.Directions ↗
6Wildlife D1 AccessRamp
Public boat launch, County Road 215 (Panhandle Road), Delaware. No horsepower limit. (614) 644-3925.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. Applies to Delaware Lake, the Olentangy River upstream to the Waldo dam, and Whetstone Creek upstream to SR 229.	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.

Norton Sporting GoodsNearby
100 Norton Rd, Waldo, OH 43356(740) 206-7212 Directions ↗
Liberty Bait and TackleNearby
122 E Olentangy St, Powell, OH 43065(614) 505-6342 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Delaware Lake ↗

Local tips

Target crappie around brush and fish attractors in spring.
Expect most channel catfish to be small. Keep the eaters and release the rest.
Check the crappie rule before you go. The limit is 30 with a 9 inch minimum.

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.