For those seeking a quiet escape into nature, Ohio offers hidden gems beyond its well-known destinations. While Tappan Lake is a popular spot for outdoor recreation, Clendening Lake, located just 20 minutes away, provides a more secluded experience. This 1,800-acre lake offers a crowd-free environment for boating, fishing, and relaxation.
Enjoy a rustic-chic stay at Clendening Lake
Visitors to Clendening Lake can choose between traditional camping or a cabin retreat. Cabins, equipped with bathrooms, showers, bunk beds, singles, and a private double bed, accommodate between 8 and 12 people. These cabins, featuring wood cladding, are available for seven-night stays, from Friday to Friday, and include heating and air conditioning. Guests should bring their own towels and toiletries. Pets are permitted in Cabin 6.
The campground at Clendening Lake offers 80 sites with both primitive and 30-amp electric hookups, available on a first-arrive, first-served basis. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings, with some offering forest or lakefront locations. Amenities include laundry facilities, restrooms, a playground, and Wi-Fi, though cell service may be limited. Seasonal camping permits, valid for 7 months, are also available.
Fishing at Clendening Lake
Clendening Lake, averaging a depth of around 20 feet, provides excellent fishing opportunities with three public boat launches and an accessible kayak ramp. The Clendening Lake Marina offers boat rentals, bait, tackle, and fuel, with a 10-horsepower limit for boats. The lake is home to bass, catfish, saugeye, and panfish. Anglers can catch bass using black and purple plastic worms, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits, while catfish are drawn to earthworms. A 30-fish daily limit and a 9-inch minimum size are enforced for crappie.
For saugeye, fishing near rocky areas with compact jigheads is recommended. Beyond fishing, visitors can enjoy hiking and biking along the Buckeye Trail, which runs along the lake’s eastern edge. Nearby Alum Creek Lake, north of Columbus, offers additional opportunities for fishing, hiking, and camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Clendening Lake from major cities?
Clendening Lake is located between Columbus and Pittsburgh. The drive from Columbus is 2 hours, while Pittsburgh is 1.5 hours away. Cleveland is an hour and 50 minutes away.
What types of accommodations are available at Clendening Lake?
Visitors can choose between camping at 80 sites with primitive or electric hookups, or staying in cabins that accommodate between 8 and 12 people. Cabin rentals are for seven-night, Friday-to-Friday stays.
What species of fish can be caught at Clendening Lake?
Clendening Lake is teeming with bass, catfish, saugeye, and panfish.
Considering the emphasis on a natural, undisturbed environment, how might future development or increased tourism impact the character of Clendening Lake?
