Buckeye Lake, located in east-central Ohio, was constructed in 1826 as a feeder lake for the Ohio-Erie Canals. With the rise of railroads in the late 1800's and the demise of canals for commercial transportation, Buckeye Lake became a popular recreational destination. The lake became Ohio's first state park in 1949. Although the lake's maximum depth is about 14 feet with an average depth of 6 feet, Buckeye Lake permits unlimited daytime horsepower (with a 10 mile per hour speed limit between sunset and sunrise).
Now a prime tourist attraction, Buckeye Lake offers many land and water activities for your enjoyment. The lake lures boaters with the promise of exhilarating rides, cool waters, and beautiful scenery. With several public boat launches around the Buckeye Lake, pontoon boats, sailboats, powerboats, and personal watercraft are a common site along the lake. Tow a water skier or tube behind you or find a favorite spot to float, and you'll be sure to enjoy a day of nautical fun.
Many visitors love to enjoy the lake from their boats, but also like to jump into the sparkling waters. Public swimming areas, complete with restrooms, offer sand between your toes and a safe area for swimmers of all ages and abilities.
Anglers come to Buckeye Lake to enjoy the beautiful shores around them as they wait for a catch of the lake's perch, bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, muskellunge, channel catfish, and bullhead catfish. As always, remember to get an Ohio Fishing License, as putting a line in without one is illegal.
No trip to Buckeye Lake is complete without a visit to Cranberry Bog, located just 100 yards off the lake's northern shore. Ohio's only bog island, Cranberry Bog formed when Buckeye Swamp was dammed in the 1830s. The island offers a unique habitat, drawing birds of the area and creating ideal conditions for birdwatchers. Close to the Cranberry Bog is the Blue Heron Rookery. Blue herons roost here from March until October, building their nests in large beech trees 30 to 80 feet above ground.
This lake was last edited by Brian Raub (brianraub) on 8/5/08.
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