Hoover Reservoir

Delaware County, Ohio

Hoover Reservoir is a City of Columbus drinking-water reservoir on Big Walnut Creek, in Delaware and Franklin counties north of Columbus. Gas motors are limited to 10 horsepower, and summer drawdowns can exceed 5 feet.

Air temp in Galena, OH Loading current temperature…

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

Current air temperature at Hoover Reservoir (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area2,818 acres

Max depth—

Shoreline45 mi

Boat motorsCheck local rules

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Saugeye●●●●○

A popular target, especially in fall and spring.

Crappie●●●●○

Black and white crappie are both present.

Largemouth Bass●●●●○

Primary bass draw along with smallmouth.

Smallmouth Bass●●●○○

Found around rocky areas and points.

White Bass●●●●○

Many Fish Ohio-size (over 14 in) white bass are caught yearly.

Channel Catfish●●●○○

Channel, flathead and blue catfish all occur.

Boat launches

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

1Oxbow Road Launch RampPublic
City of Columbus ramp, north endDirections ↗
2Baldridge Boat RampPublic
Public ramp, north endDirections ↗
3MaxtownPublic
Public rampDirections ↗
4Hoover MarinaPublic
Concrete ramp with dockDirections ↗
5Boat Stake Area DPublic
Public launch areaDirections ↗
6Twin Bridges LaunchRamp
Public boat launch, 4748 Redbank Road, Galena. Motor limit: 10 HP (see ODNR for rules). (614) 645-1721.Directions ↗
7Walnut Street Launch RampRamp
Launch with dock or marina, 7940 Sunbury Road, Westerville. Motor limit: 10 HP (see ODNR for rules). (614) 645-3337.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.

Red Bank Food & Beverage and BaitNearby
7001 Sunbury Rd, Westerville, OH 43082(614) 776-5120 Directions ↗
Bait Store & MarinaNearby
240 N Sunbury Rd, Westerville, OHDirections ↗

Search more bait shops near Hoover Reservoir ↗

Local tips

Plan for the 10 hp limit; electric motors are fine.
Summer drawdowns change depth and structure, so re-check ramps.
Spring white bass runs are worth timing.

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 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.