Fox Lake Wildlife Area

About this Location

This 421-acre wildlife area lies 4 miles west of Athens. County and township roads provide access from US-50 and OH-56 and OH-681. The boat launching ramp is reached from County Road 81 at the upper end of the lake.

The wildlife area includes rolling hills, woods, open fields, and two water areas. Situated among wooded hillsides is 48-acre Fox Lake. A small pond is on the northeast corner of the area. More than half of the area is wooded. Oak and hickory are the most common tree species, with lesser numbers of beech and maple. Index of Ohio’s trees from the Division of Forestry. Fifteen percent of the area is brushland, primarily sassafras and sumac. Another 25 percent is open land.

Land acquisition was begun in 1966 by the Margaret’s Creek Watershed Conservancy District and the Division of Wildlife. The dam was constructed by the Conservancy District in late 1967 and early 1968. The land and water area is owned and managed by the Division of Wildlife for fish and wildlife management purposes.

Fox Lake is one of six impoundments within the Margaret’s Creek Watershed which provide regional flood control. The dam is designed to retain large quantities of water during flood periods and to release the water at a standard rate of flow through a fixed-sized outlet.

Wildlife management work includes protection and improvement of existing woodlands and the selective maintenance of shrubland and open land.

Hunting and fishing are the major recreational uses, along with nature study, hiking, boating, and bird watching.

Content from Official Website