Thread: Acton Lake Memorial Day

Lake Users Invited to Attend a Public Forum to Discuss Rule Change at Acton Lake



COLUMBUS, OH - Beginning on Saturday, June 7, watercraft powered by more than 10 horsepower will be allowed to operate at no-wake speed on Acton Lake, located at Hueston Woods State Park in Preble and Butler counties. This rule is part of a new lake management plan being implemented as a pilot program which will be tested and evaluated during the 2014 and 2015 boating seasons.



On Thursday, June 5, representatives of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will host a public forum to answer questions about the new regulation. The forum will be held at 7 p.m. in the Delmingo Room of the Hueston Woods State Park Lodge, located at 5201 Lodge Road, College Corner, Ohio 45003.



There are a few other lakes managed by the State of Ohio that also currently allow watercraft to operate at no-wake speed regardless of the amount of horsepower. This management strategy has been very successful at these state-managed lakes where it has been implemented: Knox Lake, Lake La Su An, Oxbow Lake, Lake Rupert, and Burr Oak Lake allow watercraft propelled by more than 10 horsepower to operate at no-wake speed and Harrison Lake requires all watercraft not powered by electric motors to operate at no-wake speed.



Public comments and recommendations, along with public safety, recreational opportunities, regional economics and environmental factors are some of the key components considered during the development of a lake management plan. The ODNR Division of Watercraft’s primary focus is to preserve the unique character of the boating experience on each waterway, while providing the best possible service to the boating public and local communities.

Thanks for the report Milky, I believe the bigger crappie are had in deeper waters, I ve had good luck there spider rigging with double minnow rigs, although last time I had to buddies with me, we fished minnows under bobbers along the banks and found they were in the shade, probably due to water temperature I am guessing. Your ratio of keepers to throw back is better then mine good job. Oh yeah I wont be back till I can run my big motor, I ran my trolling battery down twice with unexpected wind up there, just wish they would make it idle for everyone, there are no coves to escape the wake there.

Tom two weeks ago we fished shallow and wound up getting two Fish Ohio crappies. Seen Miami U' s pontoon running full bore that day with its Honda 40 hp motor. Got it on video too! And I won't go back till after June 7 either so I can idle my motor. I have a 24 v system troller but hate loading a 20 ft boat with waders on. Can't Wait.

Hit Acton Lake yesterday afternoon primarily to target saugeye but we welcome a mixed bag. Fishing Jigs tipped with crawlers and some hand tied jigs in assorted colors.

Never caught a saugeye. Did catch 60 or so dink crappies and 3 that were legal size but so skinny did not feel it would be worthwhile cleaning them. Best bait for us on crappie was white head, pink body and white tail jig. But the Bigger crappie were all taken on Jig tipped with crawler.

Caught a couple nice cats, full of eggs and a dozen or so nice 3 - 5 pound LM. Blue Gill bite was sporadic but more prevalent on west side of lake.

As far as the lifting of the HP restriction and making the lake no wake, I am all for it and since it is now in effect I really wonder, The pontoons zipping by us and throwing a wake (enough to remind me of brookville) and the MORON who fired his 150 up and proceeded to zip from the dam to the beach. Someone needs to clarify NO WAKE and provide enforcement. Several boats were out and idle only but its only gonna take one or two a week to make the DNR reinstate the HP restriction. It is narrow 592 Acres of Water 8.8 Miles of Shoreline lake but not really that long of a lake (unless you row it).

I fished it regularly in the 70's and 80's from a 16' jon boat with a trolling motor and 2 car batteries, Then I graduated to a 1960 evinrude lightwin 3HP gas motor and a spare 1 gallon gas can for emergencies, motor had an attached gas tank. It was a blast and Acton Lake being 10 miles from the house was the ideal spot. So I have fond memories of the lake and hope the lake can be preserved so others can have those same memories.

If you do take your big motored boat out, please respect others and I know youre gonna be frustrated by the guys with the 9,9's zipping past you or worse the guys with the 15's masked as 9.9's but please, keep it sane. I have rowed the entire lake and had a lot of fun fishing it that way (I wish I could still go out and row my way around it but good living has caught up with my physical abilities).