Clendening Lake is a 750 feet long reservoir in Harrison County, Ohio. Clendening Lake was built as a flood control project in Brushy Fork of Big Stillwater Creek by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, in the year 1933. The decision for impoundment was taken after the Great Flood in 1913. The normal water pool level is 898 feet above sea level.
The 1,702-acre lake is winding, narrow, and long, with 35.5 miles of its shorelines deeply wooded. The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District was tasked with the primary purpose of conservation, flood control, and recreation. The fulfillment of these purposes later became the responsibility of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under the Ohio-Mississippi Flood Control Program.
Here’s a strange little fact about this lake. The locals claim that there are buildings and homes at the bottom of the lake that are remnants of the former community that stood there before the Great Flood. The landscape around this region has changed drastically over the years but still supports a healthy population of wildlife and flora.
Clendening Lake still maintains its natural setting and hasn’t been through any commercial development except for the marina and recreation services, which are managed and operated by Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District. The Marina and several other recreational areas nearby allow visitors to fill their days with adventures in the great outdoors.
Clendening Lake is situated 34 minutes away from Salt Fork State Park and nearly 10 miles southeast of Uhrichsville, Ohio, in the Washington Township. When driving from Uhrichsville, take State Route 800 and head south for 2.4 miles. Take a right onto State Route 800 and continue down the road for another ten miles.Take left onto Norris Road, and a mile later, you’ll be at your destination.
Clendening Lake Marina provides Class A campground facilities to its visitors. The campground is a mix of primitive campsites, full hookup campsites, and back-in electric sites. Some of the campsites are waterfront, with a view to die for. Other campsites are nestled into the hillside in private little natural settings. The campground is also pet-friendly as long as the pets are kept on a leash.
There are 80 sites in total, 50 sites are electric only. Dump stations and a playground are also provided to campers.
Every campsite comes with a fire ring and a picnic table. Electric campsites are 30-amps. The campground also provides easy access to fishing and boating facilities.
What Clendening Lake is truly known for is its angling opportunities. The spring bass fishing is especially popular amongst anglers, as the months of April, May, and June yield bass of more than five pounds every year. The anglers fish in the bushy and stump areas for crappies.
Summers are for anglers who love to catch some flathead and channel catfish, the former usually anywhere from 20 to 60 pounds. Bluegills are caught with a cane pole, and saugeye (which are stocked annually) are lured with small jigs. Some of the most common and popular fish species found in the Clendening Lake are largemouth bass, crappie, flathead catfish, channel catfish, white bass, saugeye, perch, bullhead, and sunfish.
The authorities at Clendening Lake observe a speed limit of 10 horsepower for all boats. You can find a public launch ramp near the Clendening Lake Dam all year round. The marina also provides boat rentals and offers pontoon and fishing boats. The visitors can rent one for an hour, a day, or for a whole week. The marina also provides overnight docking facilities if you are a camper. Power and ethanol-free fuel are also available at one of the docks. A boat repairing service is also offered to the boaters. Remember to observe safety in the water and always have your lifejacket on during boating escapades.
Clendening Lake offers visitors the chance to stretch their legs on the simply spectacular Clendening Lake Buckeye Trail. This gorgeously wooded and timbered trail runs along the lake's shoreline and dense hardwoods that surround it. The trail is well-kept and can be completed in part by hikers of all ages and skill levels.
The total length of this scenic trail is about ten miles and can take amateur hikers close to six hours to complete if they maintain a reasonable pace. To ensure hikers do not lose their way, the entire length of the trail is marked with Buckeye Trail Blue Blazes (which gives it its name) that are maintained by locals and volunteers.
Hunting zones and seasons are maintained and regulated by MWCD and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife on Conservancy District lands. Refer to the map to learn more about the hunting zones. Remember that hunting is prohibited in and near restricted use areas and also within 400-feet of residential areas and buildings.
Clendening Lake is always welcoming to picnickers who wish to create some good memories by the lake with their family or loved ones. Picnic sites can be found at Clendening Lake Day Use Area adjacent to the dam. There is also a nearby playground for your kids to enjoy. More picnic sites and shelters can be found at Clendening Marina.
The clear water of Clendening Lake lures you to take a swim or simply dive in to cool down on warm summer days. It is also deep, and the swimming area is marked with buoys. Areas that are not marked for swimming should be left alone. There is no lifeguard present, so use a buddy system or assign a lifeguard from your own party. Safety always comes first, so make sure it is safe to swim before jumping in the water.
