Boating
The boat house is generally open every day from Memorial Day through Labor
Day and generally open on weekends during spring and autumn. Call
ahead for hours of operation, 740-596-5253. Rowboats,
canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats are all available to rent. Paddles
and lifejackets included. Personal boats with electric motors only
may be used on the lake.
Fishing
Lake Hope has good catches of bluegill, largemouth bass,
crappie, and catfish. Fishing along the shore near underwater cover
usually is successful. Many small saugeye have recently been
released (2002). Good luck!
Swimming
A fine swimming beach is located near the dam and boathouse.
Facilities include a beach house with sundeck, change rooms, and
restrooms. The boathouse serves food and beverages during the summer
months.
Wildlife Watching
Many types of wildlife can be viewed in and around the lake.
Great blue herons feed in the shallow waters and fly overhead.
Turkey vultures (buzzards) and uncommon black vultures soar overhead and
roost in trees along the shore. Bull, green, pickerel, spring
peepers, and grey tree frogs call from the shallow wetlands. Wild
turkey, white-tailed deer, and pileated woodpeckers can sometimes be
spotted on the shore. American beavers are common and can be viewed
in the evenings or early mornings swimming in the lake. Many active
and some abandoned beaver "bank" lodges can be found scattered
around the lakeshore.
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