Outdoors
Hocking Hills Fishing: Lakes, River and Licenses
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Hocking Hills fishing happens on three state park lakes and one river: Rose Lake inside Hocking Hills State Park, Lake Hope, Lake Logan and the Hocking River. Expect bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish in the lakes, rainbow trout at Rose Lake and smallmouth bass in the river. Anyone 16 or older needs an Ohio fishing license.
Lake Hope is 19 minutes from our cabin, and Rose Lake is 21.
Hocking Hills fishing at a glance
| Water | What you'll catch | Boats | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Lake (17 acres) | Rainbow trout, channel catfish, bass, bluegill | Paddle or electric, carried in | Hocking Hills State Park |
| Lake Hope (120 acres) | Bluegill, catfish, crappie, largemouth bass | Hand-powered or electric only | Zaleski State Forest |
| Lake Logan (400 acres) | Bluegill, crappie, bass, muskie, catfish | Up to 10 hp, 10 mph limit | Near Logan |
| Hocking River | Smallmouth bass | Canoe or kayak | Logan to Athens |
Rose Lake, inside the state park
Rose Lake is the 17-acre fishing lake in Hocking Hills State Park. You reach it from State Route 374 on a half-mile trail, so pack light.
Ohio State Parks lists rainbow trout, channel catfish, bass and bluegill. Paddling and electric-motor boats are allowed, but you have to carry the boat in on that same trail. In a cold winter, the park allows ice fishing when conditions are safe.
Swimming isn't allowed in Rose Lake or anywhere else in the park.
Fishing in Hocking Hills at Lake Hope
Lake Hope State Park is a 120-acre lake inside Zaleski State Forest, with good catches of bluegill, catfish, crappie and largemouth bass. Only hand-powered and electric-motor boats are allowed, which keeps the water quiet.
The boat ramp is on State Route 278 by the dam, and the boathouse rents canoes, kayaks and pontoons in season. For the paddling side of the lake, see our guide to kayaking in Hocking Hills.
Lake Logan for crappie and muskie
Lake Logan State Park is the biggest water in the area, at 400 acres. Ohio State Parks lists bluegill, crappie, bass, muskie and catfish, and in 2025 Ohio's Department of Natural Resources named it a pick for crappie.
Motors up to 10 horsepower are allowed, with a 10 mph speed limit. There are two ramps off Lake Logan Road, and the marina rents boats from spring through fall.
Hocking Hills fishing on the river
The Hocking River runs 102 miles from above Logan past Nelsonville and Athens to the Ohio River. Its middle and upper sections are known as an above-average smallmouth bass fishery.
There's river access in Logan, at Hocking College in Nelsonville and at West State Street Park in Athens. In summer the same stretch fills with canoes and tubes, so fish early in the morning.
Ohio fishing licenses and free fishing days
Anglers 16 and older need an Ohio fishing license. Buy one online through the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System, from a license agent or by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE. Prices on the state's site in 2026:
| License | Price |
|---|---|
| Ohio resident, 1 year | $25.00 |
| Ohio resident senior, 1 year | $10.00 |
| Nonresident, 1 year | $76.96 |
| Nonresident, 3 days | $52.00 |
| Nonresident, 1 day | $27.04 |
Ohio also holds free fishing days each year, when anyone can fish public waters without a license. In 2026 they fell on June 20 and 21. Check the state's fishing regulations for next year's dates.
Our ponds: bring patience
People ask whether they can fish the ponds on our 97 acres. You're welcome to try, but as far as we know there are no fish in them. Save the tackle for Rose Lake or Lake Hope.
Our pick
For Hocking Hills fishing with kids, Lake Hope is the easy morning: a short drive, calm water, and bluegill that bite. For a quieter cast, carry a rod down the half-mile trail to Rose Lake.
Either way you're home by lunch. Our Hocking Hills cabin with hot tub sits on 97 private acres, and you'll find more ideas in our guide to things to do in Hocking Hills. On a hot day, pair the morning with swimming in Hocking Hills at the Lake Hope beach.
Hocking Hills fishing FAQs
Do you need a license for fishing in Hocking Hills?
You need an Ohio fishing license for fishing in Hocking Hills if you're 16 or older, at Rose Lake, Lake Hope, Lake Logan and the Hocking River alike. In 2026 a resident's annual license was $25, and a nonresident could buy one day for $27.04. Kids under 16 fish free, and anyone can fish without a license on Ohio's free fishing days.
Where is the best Hocking Hills fishing for kids?
The best Hocking Hills fishing for kids is at Lake Hope, where the water is calm and bluegill are easy to catch. Only hand-powered and electric boats are allowed, so there's no wake from motorboats. The swimming beach near the dam makes it easy to turn a fishing morning into a beach afternoon.
Can you fish at Hocking Hills State Park?
You can fish at Hocking Hills State Park at Rose Lake, a 17-acre lake reached by a half-mile trail off State Route 374. Ohio State Parks lists rainbow trout, channel catfish, bass and bluegill. The creeks in the gorges are for looking at, not fishing or wading, since the park bans wading in any water.
Can you ice fish in Hocking Hills?
You can ice fish in Hocking Hills at Rose Lake when the park says conditions are safe, which takes a long run of hard freezes. Southern Ohio winters are mild in some years, so ice comes and goes. Check with the park office before you walk out, and never go alone on new ice.
Are there fish in the Serenity Lodge ponds?
As far as we know, there are no fish in the ponds at Serenity Lodge, though guests are welcome to try their luck. For real fishing, Lake Hope is 19 minutes from the cabin and Rose Lake is 21. Both are in state parks with bass, bluegill and catfish, and Rose Lake adds rainbow trout.
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