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Madison Lake State Park
c/o Deer Creek State Park
20635 Waterloo Road
Mt. Sterling, Ohio 43143-9501
(740) 869-3124
Park
Map
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|
| Recreation |
Facilities |
Quantity |
| Resource |
Land,
acres |
80 |
 |
Water,
acres |
106 |
| Day-Use
Activities |
Fishing |
yes |
|
Hunting |
yes |
|
Hiking
Trail, miles |
1 |
|
Picnicking |
yes |
|
Picnic
Shelters, # |
2 |
|
Swimming
Beach, feet |
300 |
| Boating |
Boating
Limits |
EMO |
|
Launch
Ramps, # |
1 |
Lying within the vast Darby Plains of Ohio, Madison
Lake is small and peaceful. The lake attracts anglers and offers excellent
sailing, rowing and canoeing opportunities.
Nature of the Area
Madison Lake State Park lies within the Darby Plains of Madison County.
These plains, before settlement, resembled smaller versions of the Great
Plains found in the West. Ohio's original landscape, before being altered
by man, was about 95 percent forest with the remaining 5 percent comprised
of wetlands and prairies. In Ohio, there were about 1,000 square miles of
prairie encompassing the land.
During a dry period, about 4,000 years ago, conditions were favorable that
allowed prairies to expand eastward into Ohio. This extension known as the
Prairie Peninsula covered an area east of the Missouri River, south of the
Great Lakes and north of the Ohio River. In time, the climate became more
humid and more favorable for forest growth. The prairie retreated to the
Indiana-Illinois border leaving isolated pockets in Ohio. Few prairies
survive in Ohio as agriculture, woody plants and Eurasian weeds have taken
their toll. Prairies do still exist along highway and railroad
right-of-ways, marsh borders and abandoned cemeteries.
One of the best examples of existing prairie in Ohio is within the Darby
Plains of Madison County. Bigelow Cemetery State Nature Preserve near
Chuckery contains significant prairie plants including big bluestem,
Indian grass and purple coneflower. Smith Cemetery Prairie, also of
Madison County, contains stiff goldenrod, gray willow and wild petunia.
Animals that favor the habitat of this area include the woodchuck
(groundhog), red fox, ring-necked pheasant, 13-lined ground squirrel and
numerous songbirds. Kestrels, horned larks, bobolinks and meadowlarks can
be spotted in the park. The lake supports populations of migrating
waterfowl and shorebirds.
History of the Area
This area was first settled by pioneers in 1796. Jonathan Alder, who was
captured by Indians as a child and released fifteen years later, was the
first permanent white settler along Big Darby Creek in the Darby Plains.
Darby Creek was named after a Wyandot Chief (Darby) who resided along the
stream.
Settlers considered the Darby Plains and other Ohio prairies almost
worthless and unsuitable for farming, reasoning treeless land must be
infertile. Wood for fuel and building materials had to be hauled from
distant woodlands, and the wet prairies became impassable during heavy
rains. During dry periods, fires frequently swept the landscape, and early
attempts to plow the soil were thwarted by the tough, thick prairie sod.
Eventually, as drainage systems improved and the steel plow was invented,
settlement increased on the prairie. The Darby Plains soon became a well-
known and important livestock center where large herds of cattle were
raised and shipped to eastern markets. Perhaps this is due to the tough
prairie sod being more suitable for grazing than for tilling. The
livestock sales at London, Ohio obtained a wide distinction throughout the
central and western states among cattle and horse dealers. On the day
before the sales, the various roads leading to London became clogged with
droves of cattle. The cattle were brought from Michigan, Indiana, Illinois
and other states. Several thousand people would crowd the streets to
witness the sales and transact business.
In 1946, a small tract of land in the area was deeded to the state of Ohio
for the purpose of developing a lake. Under the supervision of the old
Division of Conservation, a dam was constructed across Deer Creek. The
lake was filled by 1947, and in 1950, the 106-acre Madison Lake was turned
over to the newly created, ODNR Division of Parks and Recreation.
Sponsor:
Indian Creek Camping
Resort
Tents to BIG RIGS welcome - stay by the day, week, month or year.
Ultra modern restrooms and showers. Security gates, coin-op
laundries and heated pools. Adult and Family Heated Pools. Farones
Restaurant and Step Above Lounge Full Service Bar with
entertainment and more Geneva on the Lake, OHIO
Ratings and Affiliations: Woodall's 5W / 5W Trailer Life 9 / 10 / 10
Wheeler's ***** / Ohio Campground Owners - National ARVC Year Round
Dates of operation |
Boating
The 106-acre lake is ideal for sailboats, row boats and canoes. A launch
ramp is provided. Electric motors only are permitted on the lake.
Fishing and Hunting
Fishing is popular here and anglers will enjoy plentiful catches of bass,
bluegill, crappie, channel catfish and bullhead. The north end of the lake
is a designated hunting area for migratory game birds only. A valid Ohio
fishing and/or hunting license is required.
Picnicking
Picnic areas with shelterhouses are on both the east and west lake shores.
Tables, grills, playground and latrines are provided. Shelterhouses are
available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Swimming
A 300-foot sand beach provides enjoyment for swimmers and sunbathers.
Changing booths and latrines are provided.
Trails
A newly developed 1/2-mile hiking trail takes visitors through woodlands
and along the lakeshore.
Area Attractions
Deer Creek State Park is located south of Madison Lake via State Route 207
and offers camping, boating, fishing, hiking and a resort lodge and
cabins. Big Darby Wildlife Area is east of the park on State Route 665,
one mile west of Darbydale, and offers fishing and hunting opportunities.
Nearby, two excellent examples of tallgrass prairie are preserved at
Bigelow Cemetery and Smith Cemetery by the ODNR Division of Natural Areas
and Preserves. Both areas are state nature preserves and are open to the
public during daylight hours.
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