For More Information:

Timbre Ridge Lake is managed out of the 

Ironton District Office. The office is open 

from 8 - 4:30 Monday through Friday.

Ironton Ranger District

6518 State Route 93

Pedro, OH 45659

Phone: 740-534-6500

Federal relay system for the deaf and hearing 

impaired: 1-800-877-8339

website: www.usda.gov/wayne

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/waynenationalforest 

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Mount

Pleasant

Church

Okey Church

Timbre Ridge Lake

Lecta- 1 mi el

Dam

37

T-217

775

2

T-598

213

775

62

Turkey

Creek

195

Sand

Fork

T-127

T

1

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78

T91

T-91

Buck

Creek

T-107

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7

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4

Legend

Boat Launch

Parking Area

Foot Travel Only

National Forest

0 660 1,320 2,640

Feet

Vicinity Map

pParking

Vehicle parking is provided in a designated lot 

on the dam, trailer parking is allowed below 

the dam. To help minimize congestion, launch 

your boat and park in the appropriate parking 

space. The parking area, dam, and boat ramp 

are closed from 10 p.m. - 6 a.m. unless you 

are fishing or camping at Timbre Ridge Lake. 

Please do not block the launch spur or gate 

access for the private land owners. 

Aerial view of Timbre Ridge Lake.

Wayne National Forest

Timbre Ridge 

Lake

Forest

Service

FS-R9-040

05/2015
Welcome to Timbre Ridge Lake

This beautiful 100-acre lake is located on the 

Ironton Ranger District, in Lawrence County, 

Ohio. It is the second largest fishing lake on the 

Wayne National Forest.

The forested hills which surround the lake 

make a picturesque backdrop for your fishing,

hunting, camping, or hiking trip to this tranquil

lake. The lake is very deep and clear, recognized by the State of Ohio as being among the 

top lakes in water quality. The forested watershed is responsible for the excellent water 

quality in the lake and its sense of solitude.

Timbre is defined as the “sound of a bell.” The 

clear quiet lake magnifies every sound of nature. You’ll hear birds, the honk of geese, and 

the splash of a fish. This remote lake is perfect 

for the person who wants to get away for a 

quiet weekend.

The lake was constructed in the 1970’s by an 

entrepreneur who constructed Timbre Ridge 

Lake, hoping to develop a resort and sell 

individual lots. Though his enterprise failed, 

the Forest Service was able to acquire Timbre 

Ridge Lake in 1991. More than 1,200 acres of 

national forest land surrounds the lake. Just a 

handful of private lots remain today, clustered 

near the lake’s dam. Visitors are reminded to 

respect private property while visiting Timbre 

Ridge Lake.

jFishing

Fish for largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish from shore or by boat. To maintain 

good bass fishing, a protective “slot-size” 

limit is enforced at Timbre Ridge. All bass 

between 12-15 inches must be released. All 

bass under 12 inches or over 15 inches may 

be kept. The Ohio DNR stocks rainbow trout 

at Timbre Ridge every spring. Stocking dates 

are posted on the ODNR website.

All Ohio fishing regulations apply at Timbre 

Ridge.

LBoating

Boats may be launched from a concrete boat 

launch located at the dam. Only electric 

motors may be used to power your boat. 

& Hunting

White-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrels, 

rabbits, waterfowl, and other game animals 

are found around Timbre Ridge Lake. You 

may hunt anywhere on national forest land, 

but for public safety, no hunting is allowed 

from the dam, parking lot, or boat launch. 

Ohio hunting regulations apply.

Timbre Ridge Lake is adjacent to the 

Crown City Wildlife Management Area. 

Hunters often camp at Timbre Ridge and 

hunt on the nearby state area.

w Hiking

A primitive road system can be found 

around the northern half of the lake. You are 

welcome to use it for hiking. The roads are 

closed to all vehicles. 

Bring your binoculars and your camera; the 

woods come alive with color in the spring 

and fall. If you walk softly you can also often see some of southeastern Ohio’s wildlife 

around the lake. Bald eagles and osprey are 

frequently seen in the area in early spring.

aCamping

Primitive camping is permitted anywhere 

on national forest land except on the dam 

and boat launch. Camping is limited to a 

14-day stay. 

No developed campsites are available at 

Timbre Ridge Lake. We request that you 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider 

and employer.

camp at least 20 yards back from the lakeshore to prevent shoreline erosion and that 

campers avoid using the same sites repeatedly to reduce soil compaction. 

mSwimming

Swimming is allowed at your own risk. You 

may not swim from the dam or the boat 

launch.

Regulations

Possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on the lake and within 100 feet of the 

lake shore. Alcoholic beverages may only 

be consumed at campsites that are more than 

100 feet from the shore line. 

The area is periodically patrolled by the 

Forest Service, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department and Ohio DNR Wildlife 

Officer.

To help slow the spread of emerald ash borer and other 

invasive pests, no firewood may be transported onto 

National Forest lands except commercially packaged wood 

with the USDA inspection label. You may 

collect a small amount (what can be 

carried by hand) of down and dead firewood to be used at your recreation site.