Cowan Lake, OH

Cowan Lake is in Clinton County, approximately 7 miles southwest of Wilmington, 35 miles southeast of Dayton, and 40 miles northeast of Cincinnati. The lake is accessible from U.S. Route 68 and State Routes 350 and 730.Cowan Lake has a maximum depth of 42 feet, with much of the water ranging from 10 to 25 feet deep. Prior to impoundment, the present lake bottom was mainly pastured fields. Several tree stumps were left standing in various areas during lake construction. Some standing trees remain in the upper end of the lake near the mouth of Cowan Creek.Cowan Lake has good populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, white crappie, saugeye, channel catfish, muskellunge, bullhead and carp. A few Kentucky spotted bass are also present. Saugeye are stocked on an annual basis. Gizzard shad are the main forage species in the lake. Largemouth bass are taken on diving and surface lures, plastic worms and live worms around fallen trees on the south shore, near aquatic vegetation in the upper end of the lake, and in the bays along the north shore. Saugeyes are taken on plastic grub jigs tipped with a piece of worm near mainlake points and shallow areas adjacent to deep water. Other productive saugeye techniques include drifting with a bottom-bouncing night crawler or minnow rig, as well as casting or trolling silver-colored diving lures. Bluegill fishermen using redworms, wax worms and mealworms continue to have good catches from the fishing piers, around aquatic vegetation in the upper end and in the bays. Live minnows and plastic grub jigs have proven to be the best baits for crappies near the dam, around fallen trees or aquatic vegetation and in the bays. Muskies are taken by casting or trolling large plugs along points and dropoffs. Excellent catches of channel catfish and bullhead are taken on nightcrawlers, chicken liver and cut baits near the dam and along the south shore. Tailwater fishing can be productive for channel catfish, crappies, saugeye and muskies.The Division of Parks and Recreation operates and maintains parking lots, launch ramps, a boat rental, boat dock, bait concession, swimming beaches, picnic areas, hiking trails, campgrounds and cabins. Campgrounds provide drinking water, wastewater drains, flush toilets, shower facilities, trailer waste dump stations and picnic tables. A 10-horsepower limit on outboard motors is enforced on the lake.