Sep 15, 2023

Fishing is a great way to decompress after a stressful week, enjoy the fresh air, and bond with your family. Fortunately, there are a lot of great places to fish from within driving distance of Ottawa, OH. Today, we are looking at the top three fishing spots that are worth the drive from Ottawa.

fisherman in the middle of the ocean with a beautiful golden sunset behind him fishing
Image obtained from Pixabay

1. Mary Jane Thurston State Park 

If you’re not sure where to fish, we recommend the Maumee River. You can access this river at Mary Jane Thurston State Park at 1466 State Route 65. Some of the most sought-after fish in this river include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and white bass. There are other fish species you can find in this river, too, including: 

  • Flathead catfish
  • Channel catfish
  • Walleye
  • Bullhead
  • Crappie

The Maumee River is also ideal for boating. There is a launch ramp near the park office, and you can launch a kayak, sailboat, or motorboat. If you don’t have your own watercraft, you can rent one seasonally.  

2. Independence Dam State Park

Independence Dam State Park at 27722 County Road 424 is another great place to fish. Occasionally, you can catch walleye. However, you can expect to catch catfish, crappie, smallmouth bass, and northern pike.

This state park is also a great park for boating. There is no horsepower limit, and launching is a breeze. Hand launches can be found in the campground and on the east end of the park. Additionally, on the west end of the state park, you can find a four-lane launch ramp. Besides fishing and boating, this state park is also great for kayaking, canoeing, and skiing.  

3. Indian Lake State Park

Finally, we recommend casting a line at Indian Lake State Park at 8970 W County Road 442. The 8,400-acre Indian Lake is home to many fish species, including brown trout, smallmouth bass, and rock bass. You can also fish for perch, walleye, bluegill, sturgeon, and northern pike.

We also recommend this state park for hiking. There are two miles of beautiful trails here, including a quarter-mile wheelchair-accessible trail that provides scenic views of Indian Lake. You can also camp here. There is a modern campground, a semi-modern campground, and two miniature cabins you can choose from. Linens are not included with the small cabin, but there are creature comforts, like: 

  • A portable fan
  • A microwave
  • An electric heater

There are many excellent spots to fish from near Ottawa, but you can’t access them without a dependable car. If you’re not satisfied with the reliability of your current one, contact us now at Chevrolet of Ottawa to schedule a test drive for a 2023 Chevy Equinox