Location & Description
Caesar Creek Lake Wildlife Area is located in southwestern Ohio, at the junction of Clinton, Greene and Warren counties. State Route 73 bisects the reservoir and crosses Corwin-New Burlington Road which provides access to the wildlife area from the south. Lumberton-New Burlington and Mound Roads reach the area from the southeast. In Greene County, Cemetery, Roxanna-New Burlington, and St. Rt. 380 provide access from the north and west. Clarksville and Oregonia Roads provide access from the south. The 3,100-acre wildlife area lies scattered at Caesar Creek Lake, a flood control reservoir operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In summer, the reservoir is normally 2,830 acres. During periods of heavy rainfall, the reservoir covers portions of the normally dry wildlife area. Caesar Creek State Park, 7,086 acres, is on both sides of the reservoir. Meadow and grain crops cover about 50 percent of the wildlife area and woodlands make up about 40 percent. The remainder is reverting fields--a mixture of shrubs, small trees, grasses, and forbs.
History & Purpose
Caesar Creek was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control and recreation. It was completed in 1977. Of the 10,186 acres licensed to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, 3,100 acres are managed by the Division of Wildlife for public hunting and fishing. The Division of Parks and Recreation manages 7,086 acres for general recreation, and issues waterfowl hunting blind location permits on the reservoir for the waterfowl season. Some areas within the park lands are closed to hunting. Wildlife area habitat management work has included development of crop rotations and field sizes to provide food and cover for upland wildlife. Wildlife habitat has been enhanced by planting trees and shrubs to establish field dividers, improving existing fencerows through selective cutting, and protecting and improving woodlands.
Wildlife
Whitetail deer, pheasant, dove, turkey, cottontail rabbit, fox and gray squirrel, and bobwhite quail are the major game species. Waterfowl are most common during migration. Common furbearers are raccoon, opossum, muskrat, mink, weasel, skunk, red fox, and gray fox. A variety of songbirds can be found on the area. Largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappies, walleye, bluegill, catfish, sunfish, suckers, and carp occur in the lake.
Recreational Opportunities
Caesar Creek is very popular for hunting rabbits and pheasants which are found throughout the area. Squirrel hunting is best for gray squirrels in the larger stands of mature woodland and for fox squirrels in the smaller woodlots, along the streams, and in woody fencerows. Woodchucks abound on the area. Deer and turkey hunting is good throughout the area. Waterfowl hunting is available on the reservoir, the streams around the reservoir, and in ponds and wetlands. Designated dove hunting fields are established on an annual basis. Trapping is most productive around the ponds and wetlands, and along the streams running into the reservoir. The headwaters north of the reservoir are productive for largemouth bass, saugeye, and catfish, and have become very popular for the annual spring white bass run. Good fishing is found throughout the lake in coves with stumps and standing trees. Caesar Creek Lake also offers bird watching opportunities. Restored wetlands and prairies attract waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, and birds of prey. Caesar Creek Lake is home to gulls, terns, herons, and shorebirds. Visitors may see grassland-dependent birds such as grasshopper sparrows, savannah sparrows, and Eastern meadowlarks at the wetland-prairie complex located on Clarksville Road. Trail maps and viewing guides are available. Boating is permitted on the lake with an unlimited horsepower designation. Four launch ramps are situated around the lake and seasonal dry moorage rentals are available for 64 boats.
Fishing Forecast
Caesar Creek is the deepest lake in Ohio, with depths over 100 feet at the dam and features a complex shoreline of steep drop offs, shallow bays and lots of structure. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are found in good numbers throughout the lake, with fish over 22 inches possible. Crappie continue to do well in Caesar, with fish reaching 11 inches in 4 years. Saugeye continue to flourish in Caesar Creek, with excellent numbers and sizes. Muskellunge have been stocked since 1998 with excellent survival and growing rapidly to over 40 inches. The newest addition to the lake is blue catfish, first stocked in 2018 and showing good survival and fast growth. Blues are a prized native sportfish with the potential to exceed 100 pounds. Caesar Creek has a newer marina to serve boaters on the lake with multiple annual rental slips and a gas dock.
Structure Coordinates
Caesar Creek Structure Coordinates
Fish Stockings
Fish Surveys
- Caesar Creek Catfish Survey
- Caesar Creek Crappie Survey
- Caesar Creek Largemouth Bass Survey
- Caesar Creek Saugeye Survey
Angler Survey
