Grand Lake St. Marys
Locations
Grand Lake St. Marys: Description
Grand Lake St. Marys, stretching out over an impressive 13,500 acres, was once known as the largest man-made reservoir in the world. Today, it is the largest inland lake in Ohio. However, contrary to its large size, its average depth is 5-7 feet. The lake was constructed as a feeder reservoir for the Miami-Erie Canal in the mid-1800s.
Grand Lake St. Mary's shallow depths do not deter boaters who love the lake's 52 miles of shoreline and unlimited horsepower limit. Seven public boat launches pepper the lake's shores, and private boat launches are abundant. So bring your own boat or rent one from a marina and moor it in the evenings at any of the seasonal dock rental locations. The views of the lake's green shores and shallow depths are unequaled and impossible from anything but the seat of your boat, so put this exhilarating water activity on your Grand Lake St. Marys To Do List.
Grand Lake St. Marys State Park offers two public swimming beaches and two swimming areas for boaters. The shallow waters provide for warmer waters and therefore an extended swimming season, so come early or come late, and you will still be able to enjoy the crystalline blue waters.
Grand Lake St. Marys is known for its fishing, and anglers salivate at the thought of spring crappie, bluegill, and bass and dream of the record-winning winter catches of yellow perch. Be sure to bring your gear and your Ohio fishing license, as you cannot legally put your line in without it.
When you're ready to take a break from the water, head out to the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum, in Armstrong's childhood home of Wapakoneta, dine at a local restaurant, or simply sit and enjoy the beauty of nature around you.
Grand Lake St. Marys: Statistics
- Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed
- Area: 13,500 acres
- Shoreline length: 52 miles
- Normal elevation: 871 feet
- Mean depth: 6 feet
- Completion year: 1845
