Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
Nestled among the Appalachian foothills of southeastern Ohio, the Wayne National Forest offers over 500 acres of ponds and lakes open to public fishing and wildlife viewing.
Hunting
Hunting opportunities abound on the Wayne National Forest. Ohio hunting laws are enforced on National Forest land, with a variety of species to be hunted and an array of hunting experiences from remote walk-in areas to easily accessible lands near roads.
Fishing
Four warm-water streams flow through the Wayne’s boundaries, and the Ohio River borders a part of this Forest. This presents a variety of fishing opportunities. Walk-in to a remote pond or enjoy the amenities of a developed lake site. Visit one of our Ohio River access points or wade along one of our lazy, slow-moving streams. The choice is yours!
Lake and Pond Fishing
Fishing on the Wayne National Forest is anchored by our largest lakes: Lake Vesuvius (143 acres), Timber Ridge Lake (100 acres), and Pumpkintown Lake (7 acres).
Lake Vesuvius Rec Area is our most developed site and offers a wide range of activities in addition to a premier fishing destination stocked by ODNR that features a boat ramp and accessible boardwalk. Timber Ridge Lake offers similar developed amenities and is recognized by the State of Ohio as being among the top lakes in water quality for it's very deep and clear water. Pumpkintown Lake, also known as Kenton Lake, is located in Gallia County, on the northern end of the Ironton Ranger District and is among the most popular lakes in the area due to its remote peaceful character.
Additionally, about 130 fishable ponds and small lakes, ranging in size from 1-10 acres, are scattered throughout the Wayne National Forest. They consist of old farm ponds, coal strip-mine ponds, or limestone quarry ponds. Some have easy, drive-in access and others are accessible only by primitive walk-in trails. Many anglers bring belly boats along for these harder to reach ponds!
Fishing Resources
Wayne National Forest Fishing Guide (pdf)
Fishing Rules and Regulations
The Wayne National Forest (NF) manages fish habitats and angling opportunities in cooperation with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, which regulates and manages fish populations. As such, the same fishing regulations that apply to the state of Ohio apply on the Wayne National Forest. Key points include:
- Fishers over the age of 15 are required to have an Ohio fishing liscencse.
- Those requiring a license are required to carry the license on them while fishing.
- With the exception of the Ohio River, those fishing are required to follow Ohio's state restrictions regarding size, daily limits, and consumption advisories for fish species.
River and Stream Fishing
From the Ohio River at Leith Run to streams on the Forest, the Wayne offers some premier fishing opportunities. The Wayne National Forest offers boat ramps to the Ohio River and additional canoe and jon boats opportunities can be had on the Little Muskingum River, the Hocking River, and Symmes Creek and Pine Creek.
Ohio River
Fish habitats along the Ohio River range from fast tailwaters to sluggish embayments. This helps develop diverse species of fish, as each pool has its own characteristics. The Willow Island Pool of the Ohio River can be accessed from the Leith Run Recreation Area, located on the Marietta Unit of the Athens Ranger District. Fishing facilities at Leith Run include a concrete boat ramp, spacious trailer parking, camping, and shoreline fishing. The primary species found in there include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, sauger, hybrid stripers, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, flathead catfish, walleye, and freshwater drum.
Some species found in the Ohio River, like carp and catfish, are covered under a fish consumption advisory. While "catch-and-release" fishing is still a popular option with those species, please check with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the latest advisories.
Little Muskingum River
This river is perhaps the Wayne's best kept secret. The stream is located in Monroe and Washington Counties in the Marietta Unit of the Athens Ranger District. The upper half of the river has a moderate gradient and has been known to produce some nice smallmouth bass and sunfish. The mid-reaches are home to the Ohio muskellunge - a handful of Ohio Muskies are caught and released each year. The lower part of the river has a slow gradient and has long deep pools. Many Ohio River fishes migrate up into this part of the Little Muskingum and can provide some "reel" fun.
Hocking River
The Hocking is one of the largest rivers in Ohio, and a portion of it flows through the Wayne National Forest, near Nelsonville and Athens. There are only a handful of National Forest tracts with frontage to the Hocking River, but access is provided in several places. Canoes and small jon boats can be used on the Hocking.
Symmes Creek and Pine Creek
These two streams flow through the Ironton Ranger District. Each are Ohio River tributaries and have slow gradients. Long, deep pools are characteristic of these two streams. Symmes Creek (shown below) and some lower portions of Pine Creek are canoeable in the winter and spring months. Sauger, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel catfish, sunfish, and good-sized suckers can be caught.
Fishing Resources
Wayne National Forest Fishing Guide (pdf)
Fishing Rules and Regulations
The Wayne National Forest (NF) manages fish habitats and angling opportunities in cooperation with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, which regulates and manages fish populations. As such, the same fishing regulations that apply to the state of Ohio apply on the Wayne National Forest. Key points include:
- Fishers over the age of 15 are required to have an Ohio fishing liscencse.
- Those requiring a license are required to carry the license on them while fishing.
- With the exception of the Ohio River, those fishing are required to follow Ohio's state restrictions regarding size, daily limits, and consumption advisories for fish species.
Hunting
Where Hunting is Allowed hunting opportunities abound on the Wayne National Forest. There are a variety of species to be hunted, and hunting experiences vary from remote walk-in areas to accessible lands near roads. Generally hunting is allowed anywhere on Wayne National Forest Land with a few exceptions. Hunting is not allowed in or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area (campgrounds, picnic areas, parking areas, designated swimming areas, and trailheads). Discharging a firearm is also prohibited in the following conditions
- From, into, or across any parking area, trail, boat ramp or forest road.
- Across or on a Forest road or adjacent body of water
- Into or within a cave.
License Requirements and Seasonal Restrictions
An Ohio resident or nonresident hunting license is required to hunt on Wayne National Forest lands. Additionally, all Ohio Division of Natural Resources hunting and trapping regulations apply on Wayne National Forest lands, including conservation limits and hunting seasons.
Target Practice
The Wayne does not allow target practice at any time of the year. Consider visiting one of the shooting ranges managed by the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
OHVs
OHVs (off-highway vehicles) are not to be unloaded from your vehicle or trailer, unless you are within a designated OHV area. Hunters wishing to use an OHV (50 inches or less in width) to access a hunting spot or area are required to stay on designated OHV trails.
Never discharge firearms within 150 yards of the trailhead to ensure the safety of other Forest visitors. While on your OHV, all guns must be unloaded and secured in a locked case. All National Forest designated trails are closed to all uses except foot travel from mid-December through mid-April.
Camping and Parking
When camping, burn only dead wood picked up from the forest floor. Never leave your campfire unattended, and ensure it is out before leaving the area. Help us keep your forest clean by maintaining a clean campsite and taking your trash with you.
Park in designated trailheads or parking areas if available. Where they are not available, do not block roads or gates, leave room for passing traffic, and avoid parking in blind spots.
Additional Information
Private land is interspersed with public land, and you must obtain written permission from private landowners to hunt on their property. Use caution to ensure you don’t inadvertently stray off public land onto private ownership.
Maps are available from any Wayne National Forest office. Half inch to the mile maps is sold, but we recommend 2.5 inch to the mile topographic maps. Grids are available to assist you in knowing which areas you need to order. Maps may also be ordered by mail or from our website.
Be careful to stay back from oil and gas operations; they are private property and are potentially dangerous. Do not use storage tanks for a platform. Pump-jacks may begin to operate without warning and any open flame, firearm discharge, or spark could cause an explosion.
See our Hunting Brochure for more information.
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Arabia Canoe Launch Site
Burr Oak Cove Campground
Frontier Boat Launch
Hanging Rock OHV System
Hune Bridge Campground
Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area
Lamping Homestead Recreation Area
Lane Farm Campground
Leith Run Recreation Area
Longbow Archery Trailhead