These are the notes for the Meldahl Pool. They run from the dam at Meldahl to the dam at Greenup.
They are not meant to be exhaustive. All mile markers are approximate.
The Meldahl Pool is one of the best on the River. It has a good population of bass, an excellent population of stripers and hybrids, and is a super trophy flathead fishery. There is also a fine selection of sauger, white bass, and channel cats. Some blue catfish are being caught from time to time.
Meldahl Dam (Ohio-Mile 436.2)
Fish the Ohio side of the river alongside and behind the locks. There is a wealth of wood, weeds and other shallow water cover in the area. Several anglers have won bass tournaments from this area in the last several years.
There are opportunities for the bank angler.
Always be careful in this area, barge and large boat traffic can be heavy.
Big Snag Creek (Kentucky-Mile 435.5)
Big Snag is navigitable for at least a mile or so. There are two bridges and a wealth of shoreline cover as well as several old and new docks, rock walls and rock/gravel areas. A number of quality largemouth bass have been taken from this creek.
The mouth of this creek will produce some catfish – mostly flatheads.
Old Lock and Dam #34 (Ohio-Mile 434.1)
There is a very sharp drop-off out away from the bank in this area and a rock bank that runs for several hundred yards along the Ohio side. This is a very attractive site—worth a visit just to see what the old days were like.
There is a launch ramp at this location.
There are opportunities for the bank angler.
Bull Skin Creek (Ohio-Mile 431.7)
This creek is short and very shallow. It is best known for heavy weed growth and very shallow water. This creek produces largemouth bass at times. Be very careful as you enter—the channel is narrow and shallow.
There is an unimproved launch ramp with access from US 52 in Ohio.
There are opportunities for the bank angler.
Mile Marker 430.0 (Kentucky)
There is a long rock bank along the Kentucky side of the River. This bank has several drops to the channel. When bass are in the main River this area produces. Watch for stumps and always fish them carefully.
Augusta Launch Ramp/Bracken Creek (Kentucky-Mile 427.1)
There are several docks and a small creek in the area, Bracken Creek. The creek has abundant shoreline cover.
There are opportunities for the bank angler.
Bed & Breakfast (Ohio-Mile 425.1)
There is a rock wall along the front of the Bed & Breakfast with a steep drop to the channel. This is an excellent multi-species spot.
White Oak Creek (Ohio-Mile 424)
This is probably the most popular creek on the pool. There is an abundance of shallow cover and deeper drops in this creek. Many successful bass anglers fish way back in the creek—they flip and pitch as far back as they can get the boat.
The mouth of White Oak will produce flatheads when the water is up and the current is running.
The dock areas along the main river produce stripers and hybrids nearly all year. Fish for them shallow—flukes, minnow baits, and small crankbaits in natural colors are best.
Saugers are taken in the fall and spring from the creek mouth where it drops into the River.
There is an excellent launch ramp at this location with security.
There are opportunities for the bank angler along the campgrounds on the shore of the River.
Across from the creek on the Kentucky side there is a rock bank with steep drops and sparse weed growth. This area will occasionally produce largemouth and spots.
Straight Creek (Ohio-Mile 421.6)
This creek is navigable for more than a mile. It has an array of shoreline cover including wood, sand, rock, and laydowns. Many quality fish (bass) are taken from the marina itself which lies in a cove on the right side as you enter the creek. The downstream point of the creek mouth is good at times for spots.
The mouth of the creek will produce sauger in the fall.
There is an excellent launch ramp at this marina with 24/7 security.
Rock Bank (Ohio-Mile 419)
This is a heavy rock bank that runs for several hundred yards.
Ripley (Ohio-Mile 417.5)
The Village Of Ripley.
There is a launch ramp in the Village. The ramp is nice but parking is a problem.
Eagle Creek (Ohio-Mile 415.7)
This creek is long and deep. It is one of the best creeks on the pool. It is navigable for several miles with every type of shoreline cover you can imagine. It is one of the best largemouth and spotted bass areas of the pool. There is an occasional smallmouth caught in the upper portions of the creek where it narrows and becomes rocky.
The ramp is excellent. It is open year round.
There are opportunities for the bank angler.
Across from the creek is a rock bank on the Kentucky side. The rock is a mixture of large and small with a few stumps in the area. The bank, as you move upstream, blends into an area of weeds and very shallow water. This spot is popular with both catfish and bass anglers.
Aberdeen (Ohio-Mile 408.8)
The village of Aberdeen.
There is a launch ramp at this location. It is open year round. There is no security at the ramp although it is patrolled by the local police.
There are opportunities for the bank angler.
Maysville, Kentucky is almost directly across the River.
Maysville Ramp (Kentucky-Mile 407)
The launch ramp is in the River Park at Maysville. This is an excellent ramp and is open year round. There is a concrete dock so it is easy to launch from this location if you are by yourself.
There are opportunities for the bank angler.
Warm Water Discharge/Three Mile Creek (Ohio-Mile 405.9)
This is the discharge from the Stuart Station, Dayton Power and Light. During the cold weather months this area is a magnet for nearly all species of fish. Anglers should be very careful as the current can be wicked and unpredictable.
On very cold days the fishing can be extraordinary.
There are opportunities for the bank angler.
Old Lock and Dam #33 (Kentucky-Mile 405.1)
Some deep water structure remains from this old Lock and Dam. It is especially popular with flathead anglers.
Cold Water Discharge (Ohio-Mile 403.2)
This is a small cold water discharge that runs from a pipe off the bank. It can be difficult to locate but creates current which attracts fish. Upon occasion the white bass fishing can be unbelievable.
Cabin Creek (Kentucky-Mile 403)
There is a steep drop in the mouth of this creek. It is navigable for two or three miles. The creek is deep with much shoreline cover.
This is an excellent multi-species location.
The mouth of this creek was used to film the Jimmy Houston Show—stripers and hybrids.
Crooked Creek (Kentucky-Mile 401.6)
The mouth has a sharp drop. The entrance and the creek itself are very shallow—may not be navigable during periods of low water. This area consistently produces fine catches of spots and largemouth.
There is a rock bank with stumps upstream from the mouth on the Kentucky side.
Manchester Islands #1 & #2 (Mile 395.5)
These islands are well known in the pool. There is a wealth of stumps, wood cover, and sand banks in the area.
Boat with care in the area of the islands—there are many snags.
On the Ohio side of the islands is the channel. It is lined with stumps and wood cover. At times it will produce bass.
There are opportunities for the bank angler.
Island Creek (Ohio-Mile 395.1)
This creek is shallow but navigable. Small spots are taken from the shoreline cover in the creek and an occasional largemouth. Over the years it has not produced many keeper bass.
There is a very deep hole at the mouth of the creek. Some serious trophy flatheads are taken here. This is a popular night fishing spot.
Brush Creek Island (Mile 388)
There is a variety of structure near this island. On the back side, Kentucky, there is a large area of wood. On the Kentucky side of the main River there is a long strip of stumps falling off into deep water on a sand bank.
Stripers and hybrids are caught off the island with regularity. Black bass are taken from the Kentucky shoreline. Jig and pig combinations are especially popular here.
Brush Creek (Ohio-Mile 388)
This is a long and deep creek with miles of stumps and laydowns. It may be the best creek in the pool. Heavy rains in Adams County, Ohio can bring it up quickly, however so fish with care.
This creek may be your best shot for a trophy largemouth. Crankbaits are especially popular in Brush Creek and with good reason; they catch a lot of fish along the stumps in the summer. Buzzbaits and Zara Spooks are also popular and effective.
There is a launch ramp approximately ¼ mile up the creek. It can be accessed from US 52 in Ohio. There is a caretaker on the ramp during the warm months and you can purchase a key for the off times.
Old Lock and Dam # 32 (Kentucky-Mile 382.8)
There is a large area of shallow water with much concrete rubble in the area. It is well marked with buoys. Be careful, there is little or no warning when approaching shallow water.
This is a popular catfish area. It produces both channels and flatheads.
Standing Timber/Stumps (Ohio-Mile 378.5)
This area is somewhat small but is worth a look if you are in the area. The bank is sandy and falls off into the channel of the main River. An occasional keeper bass can be taken here.
Rock/Concrete (Ohio-Mile 372)
This area is small but is the only cover in the immediate area.
Kinniconnick Creek (Kentucky-Mile 368.1)
This creek is silted in rather heavily but is worth a look if you are in the area.
Old Lock and Dam #31 (Kentucky-Mile 359.3)
There remains a standing wall and some rubble from the old dam. A few catfish are caught here.
Scioto River (Ohio-Mile 356.7)
The Scioto River is heavily silted. There is some structure and cover in the area of the mouth, especially where it flows into the main River.
There are opportunities for the bank angler.
Portsmouth (Ohio-Mile 355.6)
There is a wide variety of typical urban cover in the area.
Regardless of which species you are after always fish the barges.
There are a couple of launch ramps in this area.
There are opportunities for the bank angler.
Portsmouth Municipal Waterworks (Ohio-Mile 350.9)
Some current is generated in this area.
Little Scioto River (Ohio-Mile 349)
This area is very shallow and heavily silted. Be extremely careful when in this area of the River.
Greenup Dam (Mile 341)
The tailrace waters below this dam are legendary for producing quality catches of sauger/saugeye, as well as white bass and an occasional striper or hybrid.
After the terrorist attack of 9/11/01 this area was restricted at times. Watch for signs and pay attention when in this area.
There are opportunities for the bank angler.
As always when fishing tailrace waters, boat or fish with care, the current can be strong and unpredictable.