COWAN STATE PARK
Cowan Lake State Park offers a peaceful setting replete with scenic inlets laden with the American Lotus water lily. Swimming, fishing, sailing and canoeing are popular on the lake. Meandering trails through mature woodlands compliment the natural features of this scenic park.
It has been said that Ohio's history can be found written in the rocks. By studying the bedrock layers in Ohio, we know that ancient seas, marshes or swamps covered all or portions of the state at times over the past 500 million years. Sediment deposited by those ancient waters solidified into rock and eventually uplifted forming dry land. Animals and plants were embedded in the sediment, and today, these fossils reveal the different life forms that existed in Ohio's past.
Cowan Lake lies near the Cincinnati Arch, an uplifting of bedrock that occurred during the Appalachian Mountains' building process. The erosion of this arch in the Cowan region exposes fossil-rich limestone. The limestone near Cowan and other parts of the exposed arch are some of the most famous fossil hunting fields in the world. (Collection of fossils requires a permit from the Chief)
A fine stand of beech-maple forest can be found around the lake at Cowan. These woodlands contain beautiful wildflowers including bloodroot, wild ginger, springbeauties and trillium. The woods, fields and lake provide habitat for a variety of animals. Ring-neck pheasant, ducks,geese and herons are found here. Songbirds such as eastern bluebirds, catbirds, house wrens and many others inhabit the fields and bushy areas of the park. Mammals include white-tailed deer, raccoon, opossum, woodchuck, skunk and others.
American Lotus, a brilliant water lily, is abundant in the lake's shallow areas. It is unusual to find such a large colony of lotus on an inland lake. The plant's leaves grow up to two feet in diameter supporting large yellow flowers.
The Cowan Lake region was once a stronghold of the Miami and Shawnee Indians. After their defeat at the hands of General Anthony Wayne at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, the Indian threat subsided and settlement began here. In 1797, the first settler in the area, William Smalley, began clearing land for his home along the river which was later dammed to form Cowan Lake. Smalley had been captured by the Indians when he was a small child and was forced to live with them until he was twenty years old. He later fought in General Wayne's army, was recaptured, but luckily escaped with his life.
Cowan Creek was named for the area's first surveyor,John Cowan. A dam was completed across Cowan Creek in 1950, and in 1968, Cowan Lake was dedicated as a state park.
Ohio does not have an annual pass and does not charge entrance fees to state parks.
GeneralLand, acres1,075
Water, acres700
Day-UseFishingyes
Huntingyes
Hiking Trail, miles6
Picnickingyes
Picnic Shelters, #2
Swimming Beach, feet1,000
Mountain Bike Trails, miles1
Beach Concessionyes
Nature Programsyes
BoatingBoat Rentalyes
Boating Limits10
Seasonal Dock Rental440
Launch Ramps, #4
Fuel For Saleyes
CampingPrimitive, #17
Electric Sites, #237
Pets Permittedyes
Flush Toiletsyes
Dumpstationyes
Showersyes
Camp Commissaryyes
Campground Beachyes
WinterSleddingyes
Cross-Country Skiingyes
AccommodationsFamily Cottages, #27
There are 27 family cottages situated in a wooded setting along the lake. Each cottage is heated and air-conditioned, has two bedrooms, bath, living area with a sofa bed, complete kitchen, dining area and screened porch. Linens, towels, cooking and eating utensils are provided. Two premium cottages have gas fireplaces. The fireplaces are not in operation from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
The campground has 254 campsites. Of that total, 237 campsites have electricity suitable for tents or trailers and 17 sites are non-electric. Four sites are wheelchair accessible. The campground is equipped with a showerhouse, flushtoilets, laundry facilities, dump station, camper's beach and a boat launch ramp. A commissary is equipped with snacks and camping items. Pet camping is offered on designated sites.
A public beach is located on the south lake shore. A bathhouse, showers and a snack bar are provided.
Boats with a ten horsepower limit are permitted on Cowan Lake. The South Shore Marina concession offers boat, canoe and motor rental as well as fishing and picnic supplies. Launch ramps, fuel and dock rentals are also available. Sailing is very popular on the lake.
Cowan State Park in Ohio offers a variety of fishing opportunities for both novice and experienced anglers. The park's main attraction is the Cowan Lake, which spans over 700 acres and is stocked with various species of fish.
The lake primarily contains largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill and saugeye. Largemouth Bass are abundant due to the plentiful amount of submerged vegetation that provides excellent cover for them. Crappies can be found near fallen trees or brush piles while Catfish tend to stay at deeper parts during daytime but come closer to shorelines after dusk.
Fishing from boats on Cowan Lake is popular among visitors as there are two boat ramps available within the state park - one located off Yankee Road (south ramp) and another by South Beach area (north ramp). Boats must have valid registration from any state; however motor limit on this lake restricts it up-to electric motors only ensuring peaceful angling experience without disturbance caused by larger powerboats.
In addition to boating access points, shoreline fishing spots around picnic areas provide easy accessibility especially suitable for families or those who prefer land-based casting methods like spinning rods/reels setup etc.,
During winter months when conditions permit safe ice formation then Ice Fishing becomes an option too where you could target pan fishes such as Bluegills using small jigs tipped with live baits under tip-ups/ice-fishing rod setups.
For bait needs there's marina store inside park premises selling basic supplies including worms/minnows along-with rental options if someone wants try out paddle-boating/canoes/kayaks instead traditional rowboat style vessels commonly used here otherwise bringing your own gear/bait would always work best according personal preferences & techniques preferred individually based upon their past experiences/skills acquired through years spent pursuing these aquatic creatures across different water bodies worldwide!
Remember all fishermen aged 16+ need carry valid Ohio Fishing License while fishing in Cowan Lake. The park also follows statewide bag and size limits for all species of fish, so it's important to familiarize yourself with these regulations before you start casting your line.
In conclusion, whether you're a seasoned angler or just looking for a relaxing day by the water, Cowan State Park offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy some quality time fishing.
Our family has camped at this park for almost 20 yrs. over the memorail day weekend and has always been an excellent place to camp and very clean. However this yr. the bathrooms were very disgusting and not kept cleaned at all. Past yrs. they have been cleaned a couple times a day. This yr. was really bad last day I did finally see them cleaning them out after we had been there for 4 days. : 0 (
I go to Cowan Lake a few times a week to just enjoy the outdoors and the peace. There are tons of picnic areas around the lake and lots of places to fish. The facilities are relatively clean and stocked. There is no place for trash so you have to take it with you but the grounds have always been clean and well kept.
found pleanty of gold flakes south of dam and its streams that feed the lake left from thr glashers
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