MWCD reservoir

Tappan Lake

Harrison County, Ohio

A Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District lake along U.S. 250 in eastern Ohio, finished in 1938. Tappan is a popular saugeye and crappie lake with a big campground, a full-service marina, and room for larger boats.

Air temp in Deersville, OH Loading current temperature…

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

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

Surface area2,350 acres

Max depth25 ft

Shoreline—

Boat motors399 hp limit

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Saugeye●●●●○

Troll crankbaits along the old creek channel. Jig the spillway and points in cold months.

Crappie●●●●○

Standing timber and brush in the coves. Minnows or small jigs under a bobber in spring.

Largemouth Bass●●●○○

Laydowns and weed edges in the upper coves. Soft plastics and spinnerbaits.

Channel Catfish●●●○○

Cut bait or nightcrawlers on flats near creek mouths in the evening.

Boat launches

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

1Tappan MarinaMarina
Rentals, bait & tackle, ethanol-free fuelDirections ↗
2Route 250 Launch RampPublic
Public ramp at the U.S. 250 roadside rest areaDirections ↗
3Fire Station RampsPublic
Public ramps on the north endDirections ↗
4Tappan Lake Park LaunchPublic
Inside the park campground areaDirections ↗

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 combined; site-specific rule for Tappan	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.

Tappan Marina ↗Nearby
Route 250, Tappan Lake, Harrison County, OH740-269-2031 Directions ↗
Annie's Hut IINearby
330-407-5441 Directions ↗
Tappan Lakeside StoreNearby
32270 Cadiz-Dennison Rd, Scio(740) 491-6242 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Tappan Lake ↗

Local tips

The lake is fairly shallow, so saugeye roam flats. Cover water with trolled crankbaits.
U.S. 250 runs along the shore, and the causeway riprap holds fish in spring and fall.
Kayak launches and accessible fishing piers make it good for shore and small-boat anglers.

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 Piedmont Lake All Ohio lakes →

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