Enjoy Fall on the Water at These Ohio State Parks

Maumee Bay State Park

Many of Ohio’s state parks have a lake. Some of them are quite large. But only a handful can lay claim to the lake. Located on the shore of Lake Erie, 5 miles east of Toledo, Maumee Bay State Park offers visitors the chance to admire our Great Lake and the nature surrounding it. 

“It’s a picturesque park,” says park naturalist Lauren Stewart, noting that the 2-mile wetlands boardwalk is a way to see squirrels, deer and more as they prepare for the fall. “It is a really nice way to connect with nature.”

Lake Erie is a popular fishing spot, both from boats and from the shoreline, but the state park’s 57-acre inland lake is a great place for those less experienced with a rod and reel. The inland lake is also good for nonmotorized boating such as kayaking.

The park’s Maumee Bay Marina doesn’t offer boat rentals, but it has 32 slips for those who want to boat in and check out the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center’s Water’s Edge Restaurant or Icebreaker Lounge. “A lot of people like to come and dock their boat and eat lunch at the restaurant,” Stewart says. 1400 State Park Rd., Oregon 43616, 419/836-7758

Alum Creek State Park
Finding your own speed at Delaware County’s Alum Creek State Park is as easy as cruise control. The park’s 3,387-acre lake has four public boat ramps and no limit on horsepower, catering to most kinds of boats and personal watercraft. If you move at a slower pace, the lake’s many inlets and coves are a great place to drop anchor and fish while taking in the views of the tree-lined shore and shale cliffs or spotting wildlife such as bald eagles and great blue herons. The Alum Creek Marina rents pontoon boats, speed boats, kayaks and more throughout the fall. 3615 S. Old State Rd., Delaware 43015, 740/548-4631

Lake Logan State Park: photo courtesy of Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Lake Logan State Park
Lake Logan State Park in Hocking County is an angler’s oasis during the fall, particularly if you enjoy the peaceful side of fishing. While you can snag the same bluegill, crappie, bass, muskie and catfish found in other Ohio lakes, the 10-horsepower limit on this secluded, 400-acre lake means things move at a more leisurely pace. Falling temperatures usually result in fish eager to bite, including Lake Logan’s bass, which can weigh in at 3 to 4 pounds. The Lake Logan Marina at the park’s eastern end offers canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats and pontoon boats for rent throughout the fall. 30443 Lake Logan Rd., Logan 43138, 740/385-6842

Indian Lake State Park
Dotted with small communities along its shores, Indian Lake State Park’s more than 5,000-acre lake makes it feel more like a waterside community than a public park. You can get a feel for that vibe by renting a pontoon boat or kayak from one of a handful of marinas, including Spend-A-Day Marina located off Orchard Island. Restaurants like Cranberry Resort Waterfront Bar & Grill and Acheson’s Resort have places for boaters to dock and grab a bite, while anglers can cast for largemouth bass, perch, channel catfish, flathead catfish, crappie and saugeye. 13156 St. Rte. 235 N., Lakeview 43331, 937/843-2717

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