Boating & Fishing
Hit the water!
Fish, float, or paddle the 110-acre Armco Park Lake or Little Miami State and National Scenic River with Warren County Park District.
Armco Park Fishing and Watercraft Rentals
Visit the Armco Park Boat Dock for your fishing pass (required to fish at Armco Lake from Apr 1 - Sept 30), rent your favorite type of watercraft, or launch your own. Scroll down for more information.
Armco Park Boat Dock is open April 1 - September 30.
Little Miami River Access
You can launch or take out your own hand-carried canoe or kayak for free at Clint Fultz River Park or Morrow Veterans Park.
Putting in at Clint Fultz Park and taking out at Morrow Veterans Park makes for a great 14.5 mile float (about five hours). There are several other put-in and takeout points along the way that are operated by our partners for shorter trips.
Armco Park Lake Fishing & Boat Rental
Available April 1 - September 30
2024 pricing (subject to change)
Fishing Passes
| Day | Season (4/1 - 9/30) |
|
| Adult 16-54 | $7 | $100 |
| Senior 55+ or Military | $5 | $75 |
| Junior 5-15** | Free | Free |
*Fishing pass not required for catch-and-release bank fishing Oct 1 - Mar 31.
**Free junior pass is for catch-and-release only, unless accompanied by a paying adult.
Fish & Launch Your Own Watercraft
| Day | Half Season (7/1 - 9/30) |
Season (4/1 - 9/30) |
|
| Adult 16-54 | $15 | $105 | $150 |
| Senior 55+ or Military | $10 | $85 | $115 |
| Non-fishing watercraft launch | $5 | $50 | $70 |
*No launching available Oct 1 - Mar 31.
Watercraft Rentals
(Includes one fishing pass)
| 1 hr | 3 hr | |
| 2 seat jon boat with trolling motor | $30 | $40 |
| 4 seat jon boat with trolling motor | $40 | $60 |
| 4 seat pontoon boat | $50 | $80 |
| Rowboat, canoe, kayak, or paddle board | $15 | $30 |
| 1 hr | 1/2 hr | |
| Pedal boat | $25 | $15 |
Armco Park Boat Dock Operating Hours
The Armco Park Boat Dock is open whenever the park is open from Apr 1 - Sept 30. Boaters must be off the lake one hour before park closing, so please arrive at least two hours before park closing to rent a boat.
The Boat Dock may close due to bad weather and may reduce its operating hours in October. Call 513-695-3980 if you want to confirm that the Boat Dock is open before heading to the park.
Fishing license
An Ohio fishing license is NOT required to fish at Armco Park Lake, but you must purchase a fishing pass from the Boat Dock (Apr 1 - Sept 30). An Ohio fishing license IS required at all other Park District locations.
Purchase an Ohio fishing license online (not needed at Armco Park)
Winter fishing
Catch and release fishing from the lake shoreline is FREE only during winter at Armco Park, from October 1 through March 31. Free fishing during winter is catch and release only. Ice fishing is not allowed due to the potential for unsafe ice.
Fish taking limits
The following limits apply to Armco Park Lake. See the Ohio DNR website for limits at other locations.
Bass and all other fish not listed below must be released back into Armco Park Lake. A fishing pass must be purchased from the Boat Dock to fish in Armco Park Lake Apr 1 - Sept 30. Catch-and-release fishing is free Oct 1 - Mar 31.
Fishing is catch-and-release except for the following*:
| Crappie: | 8" or larger, 15/day |
| Walleye: | 16" or larger, 4/day |
| Channel Catfish: | Any size, 6/day |
| Flathead Catfish: | Under 18", 1/day |
| Grass Carp: | Under 18", 6/day |
*in season (Apr 1 - Sept 30) with fishing pass.
Are motorboats allowed on Armco Park Lake?
Nothing larger than a trolling motor is allowed.
Can I bring beer or other alcoholic beverages on my boat?
Alcoholic beverages purchased at Armco Park may be enjoyed in the park on land, but may NOT be brought out on the water. Due to state liquor license requirements, patrons are not permitted to bring their own alcohol into the park. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at all other Warren County Park District parks.
Other Boating Rules
- All personal and rental boat captains are responsible for their passengers and the actions of their passengers and ensure that all on board have dedicated personal flotation devices.
- All passengers under the age of 10 must wear a US Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (life jacket).
- All boats must be equipped with proper safety equipment.
- Guests must be 16 years of age and have a valid state-issued ID or driver’s license to rent a fishing boat.
- All boats must be off the lake at designated times or at the discretion of the attendant on duty.
- No alcoholic beverages are permitted on the lake.
- No boats may be beached or pulled up on shore.
- Pedal boats must always remain in sight of Boat Dock.
- Only licensed watercraft may be used on the water.
- All personal/rental watercraft are subject to State of Ohio watercraft laws, rules, and regulations.
