Straits Lake Fishing near Mount Gilead, Ohio

• Overview

  Straits Lake sits in Morrow County, out in Ohio. It stands 1,181 feet above sea level. The water covers some 39 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The bank runs about 1.4 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. It is among the larger waters listed here for Morrow County. 3 miles away sits Mount Gilead, the nearest town. The nearest city of size is Columbus, 41 miles away. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Straits Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Open biodiversity records for Morrow County list rainbow darter, fantail darter, johnny darter, white sucker and greenside darter. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Straits Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 71°F and January near 24°F on the long-run figures. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Look for the thaw near mid March; the fishing lifts straight after. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid March and starts locking again about late December. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Straits Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. Mapping shows a campsite some 0.9 miles from the water. Bluegill and other panfish take small jigs or worms under a float near any cover. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Lake Brollier sits 2.1 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the current arrangement for Straits Lake.