columbus ohio public boat ramp access

[mountainmariner]

Anyone familiar with Columbus, Ohio.
Any help would be great! My Father and I are trying to find public access to the Scioto, any directions?
Thanks in advance.

 

[5150abf]

Re: columbus ohio public boat ramp access

Check Ohio DNR website, they should have that there.

 

[bomar76]

Re: columbus ohio public boat ramp access

There are several places....can't figure out how you can't find one.

One is on the SW of 33 (Riverside Drive) and Fishinger Road.
There is one downtown that IS hard to find, I'd avoid it as dead hookers frequently turn up there.
Another on North of the Zoo on the SW corner of 257 and Home Road.
I am sure there are others, those 3 came to mind off the top of my head.

 

[Adrift]

Re: columbus ohio public boat ramp access

One is on the SW of 33 (Riverside Drive) and Fishinger Road.

Just to elaborate, this one is called Griggs Reservoir, it is near Upper Arlington exactly where described above. Not personally familiar with the others, although I'd like to try the one up near the zoo sometime.

 

[muskie hunter]

Re: columbus ohio public boat ramp access

I live in pataskala and duck hunt the scioto river. Unless you have a small flat bottom boat and very little draft, I would not boat the scioto. it is shallow, with many bad unseen obsticles. it will go from 5ft deep to ankle deep in a blink of an eye. Its not worth tearing your boat and motor up.
Go to Alum creek, Buckeye, Senica,or saltfork.

Thanks Steve.

 

[bomar76]

Re: columbus ohio public boat ramp access

I live in pataskala and duck hunt the scioto river. Unless you have a small flat bottom boat and very little draft, I would not boat the scioto. it is shallow, with many bad unseen obsticles. it will go from 5ft deep to ankle deep in a blink of an eye. Its not worth tearing your boat and motor up.
Go to Alum creek, Buckeye, Senica,or saltfork.

Thanks Steve.

Hell, hey water ski that river like mad in the Riverside Drive/Fishinger area...it's not that shallow.
Now South of downtown, that's another story...6" deep and wino's along the banks.

 

[mountainmariner]

Re: columbus ohio public boat ramp access

Thanks for the info, We're running a 17' sylvan 140 i/o bowrider, and usually loaded with 6 people, so shallows aren't really an option.Tried the ramp around front st, too shallow.
In the past, we ran the Ohio River around the Belpre OH/ Parkersburg WV area, and have only put in at Deer Creek, so not familiar with the area when it comes to access. I'm hoping to find somewhere to put in, relatively close to Grove City, that we can ski/ fish, and not have to turn around every few minutes.(not that I'm knocking Deer Creek, great family spot!)
Are there any "river lots" for rent in this are? Trapper Johns?. ...What I mean by River Lot is, primitive camp site, river/lakeside, dock or build dock, rental for the season, with an area to camp. Basically, a camp site with water access for my boat, at the campsite for rent for the season.

By the way, we went to Deer Creek this afternoon(Sunday), and the water was at least 10-15' up(first time kneeboarders, not easy!)

And thanks for the reply " go irish" person, but we are from West Virginia, and are still salty about the 1986 WV vs. ND game.
Thanks Again Folks!

 

[bomar76]

Re: columbus ohio public boat ramp access

That Front St ramp is pretty difficult to find - unless you are dumping bodies.
I have no knowledge of any really local riverfront type sites where you can park a camper and still have boatable water. The only place that comes to mind is the Muskingum River, but that is way east.
There are a lot of Grove City people that trailer up to Indian Lake (just NW on US 33). We rarely drag over there as it's kinda shallow for us, but plenty of ramps and a bunch of places to actually go while on the water that have dockage...bars, private clubs, doughnuts, fast food, homey diners, etc.
Off the top of my head:

Moose Lodge
Elk Lodge
Froggy's
Tilton Hilton
Achesons
McDonalds
Hinkley Doughnuts
Taco Bell
Cranbery's
Broasted Chicken place (can't think of name)
Blackhawk Restaurant
2 State beaches
at least one boat swim area

and I know a bunch more are there.

 

[Adrift]

Re: columbus ohio public boat ramp access

You might try Buckeye Lake. Less than an hour from Grove City (off I-70 towards Zanesville). Was just there yesterday.

We did Indian Lake for a couple of years and it is too stumpy. I won't bore you with details but always have a spare prop. We learned where to avoid but a newbie is going to find trouble. Otherwise, it's nice.

I'm not a fisherman so I can't help you there.

 

[bomar76]

Re: columbus ohio public boat ramp access

Those stumps are courtesy of the Indian Lake Prop Dealers Association.
I think they move them around every so often.