The lakeside in Ohio has no shortage of fun things you can engage in.
Whether riding along trails on horseback or towering rollercoasters with a view of Lake Erie, you’ll surely have a tough time being bored in this Buckeye State.
The largest man-man
lake in Ohio
is Grand Lake St.
Marys.
In addition, Ohio is home to very large
lakes like the Salt Fork Lake and Lake Erie
.
You can engage in different activities at these lakes, including fishing, swimming, boating and even camping.
Ohio shares a border with one of America’s Great Lakes and has many stunning lakes.
You’ll definitely find Ohio to be an amazing summer destination with several lakes and reservoirs with amazing views.
What are the Largest Manmade Lakes in Ohio?
Grand Lake St.
Marys is the largest man-made lake in the state.
I will discuss more about the
largest artificial lakes in Ohio
.
What are the Largest Manmade Lakes in Ohio?
Grand Lake St.
Marys
Grand Lake St.
Mary’s measures a length of 9 miles and is also 3 miles wide.
It is considered as the largest man-made lake in Ohio covering a surface area of about 13,500 acres.
This lake straddles two counties: Mercer and Auglaize and is fed by eight different streams.
Even with all the natural lakes in
Ohio
combined (except Lake Ohio), Grand Lake St.
Mary’s still covers almost thrice as much ground.
Initially, this lake was constructed as a feeder lake for the Miami-Erie Canal.
Once, it was
even the largest manmade
lake in the world and is still among the largest lakes built solely by manual labor.
The name of this lake is officially Grand Lake.
However, State locals still go on to add St.
Mary’s, a very small town situated on the east end of the lake.
Currently, Grand
Lake is an important geographical feature that supplies drinking water
to the City of Celina located on the northwest corner of this large lake.
This lake is also renowned for its recreational value for unlimited horsepower boating.
Every year, this lake hosts the Velona Governor’s Cup Regatta.
When Grand Lake St.
Mary’s was completed in 1845, it was recorded as the world’s largest man-made lake boasting 52 miles of shoreline.
This lake remains a vital link between the Ohio River and the Great Lakes.
It is also used for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and boating.
If you’re thinking of a great place to plan an excursion, this is the perfect place.
Whether it’s swimming on a very hot day or watching birds, you’ll find a lot of interesting water birds like herons, egrets and ospreys feeding at Grand Lake.
You’ll also be amazed to know that a wildlife refuge houses nesting bad eagles just at the southwest corner.
Environmental Concerns
Over the years, there have been a lot of environmental concerns related to this lake.
At that time, oil was found in a location nearby.
Some enterprising individuals then decided to develop a means to drill the oil as they felt there would be more underneath the surface.
Grand Lake is remarkably the first location to use platform drilling over water.
Later, black gold was found deep underneath the surface by drilling with many oil rigs.
Lake Erie
Being the sixth largest lake in
North America
, Lake Erie is also among one of the Great Lakes in Ohio.
This lake has a very massive surface area with its land borders stretching to reach not just Ohio but also New York, Ontario, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
You’ll find many exciting places to go to like the Cedar Point Amusement Park and Resort in Sandusky, which boasts 18 roller coasters!
If you prefer a more leisurely pace, a better option would be to go to Put-in-Bay for a kayak or have a walking tour of Gibraltar Island nearby.
Pymatuning Reservoir
Although the Pymatuning Reservoir is not as large as
Lake Erie
, it still remains a stunning place and the best one of you love to fish.
Ohio gets a part of the shore even as most of the state park that borders the lake is a part of
Pennsylvania
.
There are a number of fish species that inhabit the waters.
Some of them are:
Walleye
Carp
Perch
Largemouth
Smallmouth bass
Bluegill and
Channel catfish
However, in order to fish from the shore here, an Ohio or Pennsylvania fishing license is required.
You can set up your umbrella at the
Ohio Pymatuning state park
swimming beach, enjoy a picnic while basking in the warm sun and even go for a swim.
Mosquito Creek Lake
Every summer, tourists and visitors from all over the world gather at Mosquito Creek Lane.
This place is particularly a favorite spot for boating, swimming and engaging in very fun activities.
For example, you can get your act here gear and shoot arrows at the Mosquito Creek’s Free range.
At the 18-hole Squirrel Run Disc Golf Course, have fun challenging your friends to a game of disc golf.
There are several multipurpose hiking trails along Mosquito Creek Lake.
You can go horseback riding, biking or snowmobiling under favorable weather conditions.
Hunting at Mosquito Creek Lake is also allowed as long as you remain at the specified area of the park.
A valid hunting license is also required, and you must abide by all Ohio hunting and trapping regulations.
Indian Lake
The Indian Lake is located close to Ohio’s Miami River.
It is the best place for spring fishing and was once a crucial stop on the American trade route.
Presently, the lake and its state park are used as a recreational area for plenty of visitors worldwide all year round.
This lake has about 443 family campsites, including a laundry facility for glampers and electric hookups, two public beaches, and lighter buoys that help to guide boaters moving at night.
If you’re thinking of the perfect destination for a summer getaway, Indian Lake is absolutely the best choice.
FAQs
What is the largest private lake in Ohio?
Lake Roaming Rock is the largest private
lake in Ohio.
What is the biggest lake in Ohio?
is Ohio’s biggest and is the sixth-largest lake in America.
What is the clearest lake in Ohio?
Mineral Springs Lake, Peebles, is the clearest lake in Ohio.