Metzger Reservoir
Metzger Reservoir is a city of Lima water supply lake in Allen County, next to Ferguson Reservoir. It has a boat ramp and is known for crappie.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Crappie
Lake-specific 9 inch minimum, 30 per day
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Channel Catfish
Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
White Bass
Schools chasing shad in open water, and spring river runs.
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Metzger Reservoir boat rampRampBoat ramp and parking shown on the ODNR fishing map for the Ferguson and Metzger reservoirs. Stairs at the outlet structure.Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee 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, lake-specific rule | 9 in | 30 |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Milans Bait ShopNearby2375 Reservoir Rd, Lima, OH 45801(419) 221-0672Directions ↗
- Worm RanchNearby459 N Main St, Lima, OH 45801(567) 712-2953Directions ↗
Local tips
- Keep crappie only if they are 9 inches or longer. The limit is 30 a day.
- Metzger is not on the ODNR horsepower list, so confirm motor rules with the City of Lima before launching.
- Fish the lake and its neighbor, Ferguson, on the same trip since they sit side by side.
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.