

Rolling hills, winding rivers, and a large lake provide a beautiful backdrop for a wonderful getaway. The park offers diverse recreational and natural history opportunities only 25 miles from Cincinnati. Located in southwest Ohio, the 7,480-acre (4,870-acre of land and 2,160-acre of water) East Fork State Park is one of the largest state parks in Ohio. Fall 2022 DNAP eNews - Prairie Restoration.The permit allows use of an EPAPV with a 30 horsepower and/or use of a motor vehicle on designated access roads on specific state wildlife areas for mobility impaired persons. Six launch ramps provide access to the lake.Įast Fork Wildlife Area also features designated access roads for Electric Powered All Purpose Vehicle (EPAPV)/Motor Vehicle Use Permit holders. Harsha (East Fork) Lake allows unlimited horsepower boating. Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass are taken along the shoreline, around stumps and logs, and around old road beds.Ī dog training ground is situated south of Williamsburg-Bantam Road. Trapping is productive around pond areas and along the streams running into the lake.Ĭrappies and bluegills are taken around brush and in tops of fallen trees throughout the lake.

Waterfowl hunting is available on the lake and the streams flowing into the lake. Rabbits and woodchucks are most numerous along fencerows and woodland borders. 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. Hybrid striped bass were stocked in 1983.Įast Fork is popular for hunting rabbits, squirrel, and deer. The fishery has developed from the resident fish population in the main streams. Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, crappies, bluegill, catfish, sunfish, suckers, and carp are found in the lake. A variety of songbirds can be found on the area. Waterfowl are most common during migration and good numbers of wood ducks nest and rear their broods here each spring and summer. Common furbearers are raccoon, opossum, muskrat, mink, weasel, skunk, red fox, and gray fox. Wildlife habitat has been enhanced by establishing field dividers, improving existing fencerows, and protecting and improving woodlands.īobwhite quail, cottontail rabbit, white-tailed deer, fox and gray squirrels, and woodchuck are the major game species. Wildlife area habitat management work has included development of crop rotations and field sizes to provide food and cover for upland wildlife. The remainder of the area is managed by the Division of Parks and Watercraft. Of the 9,906 acres licensed to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, 2,705 acres are managed by the Division of Wildlife for public hunting and fishing. Army Corps of Engineers a partial pool was impounded in 1978. Harsha (East Fork) Lake was constructed by the U.S.

The wildlife area varies from level upland and bottomland fields to gently rolling and steep wooded and reverting hillsides. Meadow and grain crops make up about 25 percent of the wildlife area about 45 percent is woodland and 30 percent is reverting fields of shrubs, small trees, grasses, and forbs. During periods of heavy rainfall, the lake covers portions of the normally dry wildlife area.Įast Fork State Park lies south and west of the wildlife area on both sides of William H. In summer the lake is normally 2,160 acres. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control, water supply storage, water quality control, and recreation. Harsha (East Fork) Lake, where the east fork of the Little Miami River flows into the lake. The 2,705-acre wildlife area lies at the northeast edge of William H. The wildlife area may be reached from roads off State Route 133, east of the area, and Old State Route 32 west of Williamsburg. Access to the south side is from State Route 125 near Bantam. Access to the north side of the lake is from State Route 32 between Batavia and Williamsburg.
