Merrill Creek Reservoir  – Bass Club and Fishing Tournament Rules

All fishing tournaments must register in advance.

1. To coordinate scheduling of fishing tournaments or group fishing events, please have the group’s coordinator contact Merrill Creek Environmental Specialist at jparke@merrillcreek.com with the requested date of the event. NOTE: ONLY ONE tournament or group fishing event per day.
2.  All boats taking part in group outings/fishing tournaments at Merrill Creek Reservoir will access the boat ramp on a first come, first served basis. No preference will be given over other boaters.
3. Boaters are not to arrive before 7:30am. Parking is prohibited along Merrill Creek Road prior to the gate opening by order of Harmony Township Ordinance 0:17-11. Please plan your arrival accordingly.
4. All vessels shall move at a NO WAKE speed, NO Boat is to plane EVER on the water.
5. Information on fishing and boating regulations specific to Merrill Creek Reservoir as well as a contour map of the reservoir are available here as well as at the Visitor’s Center and the Boat Ramp.
6. There is no use of gas-powered motors on a vessel ever, that includes power loading or charging of electric motors, -only electric motors (10 horsepower max) are acceptable.
7. Kayaks need to be a minimum of 9’ and contain some type of factory installed flotation and need to be launched from the kayak launch area unless it arrives on a trailer. If on a trailer, then you can launch from the boat ramp.
8. There is no rigging within the boat ramp launch and kayak launch area, or along the boat ramp roadway. Rigging should be done prior to arriving or in designated parking areas.

NOTE: Boat ramp / kayak launch closure times are different than property closing times, they are typically 1 hour prior to property gate closure – check the white-board at the ramp for ramp / kayak launch closing times.  Our boat ramp and kayak launches close at the time posted on the white-board at the ramp.  All watercraft MUST be off the water by the ramp/launch closure time, not by the time the property gates close. This means no watercraft is to be on the water, the ramp, at a dock or launch area at, or after, the time posted for Ramp/Launch closure.  GIVE yourself plenty of time to make sure you are off the water and ramp/launch areas prior to the time posted for ramp/launch closure. This is an offence which will result in your vehicle and/or boat information submitted to law enforcement and will be subject to disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, permanent banning from the property.