The Hancock Park District welcomes fishermen to the public fishing access areas of the Hancock Park System. These areas include Blanchard Landing, Eastpoint Area, Liberty Landing, Waterfalls Area, Great Karg Well Historical Site, Riverside Park Waterfront, Oakwoods Nature Preserve’s Shank Lake and Dold Lake, and Riverbend Recreation Area’s Giertz Lake. Anglers are reminded that an Ohio fishing license is required for persons, ages 16 – 65, who fish in public waters of the state.
Young anglers can try their luck as the Hancock Park District hosts an Annual Fish Festival in the spring. Trout are stocked prior to the festival courtesy of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Division. Children must do the fishing, but limited adult assistance is permitted. All state fishing rules and regulations apply. The Fish Festival is held rain or shine, except in the event of extreme weather conditions.
The Blanchard River offers relative isolation and solitude, a wilderness-like experience, and outdoor adventure. To fully grasp the Blanchard River’s many moods and experiences, and to appreciate its beauty, wildness, and quality as both a natural resource and outdoor recreation resource, a person must venture out and explore the waterway by canoe or kayak. Canoeists and kayakers will have the opportunity to see wildlife, enjoy scenic beauty, and in some cases, test their strength, stamina, and perseverance. It is a wonderful way to spend quality time together in the great outdoors.
The Hancock Park District facilitates float trips on the Blanchard River from April through June when conditions are favorable and at other times when sufficient rainfall increases water level and improves navigability. A variety of services are offered: Self-Guided Float Trips with Shuttle Service, Canoe Instructional Courses, Self-Guided Fall Float Trips, Daily Boat Rentals, Group Boat Rentals, and Guided Float Trips upon request.
Zonta Landing Boat Rentals at Riverside Park Waterfront has canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats for rent on weekends and holidays, from 1 – 7 PM, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The standard rental fee is $5 per ½ hour pedal boats.
The 37.6-mile Blanchard River Water Trail is predominately a rural waterway that affords relative isolation and solitude. It is characterized by bends, riffles, and forested riverbanks. The urban section flows through Findlay, Ohio. Numerous access points along the way provide a wide range of boating opportunities from short trips lasting an hour or two to half-day and day trips to a two-day trip with primitive tent camping along the Blanchard River at Riverbend Recreation Area. The Blanchard River Water Trail begins at Blanchard River Nature Preserve and ends at Blanchard Landing.
Zonta Landing Boat Rentals, located at the Riverside Park Waterfront, welcomes visitors to the Blanchard River. The boat livery rents canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats seasonally, Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, on weekends and holidays from 1 to 7 PM.
The standard boat rental fee is $5 per ½ hour for canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats. The Special Float Trip Option is $20 per canoe, $20 per tandem kayak, or $10 per solo kayak for approximately two hours. Float trips begin and end at Zonta Landing. Boating is limited to an area upstream past the Country Club golf course, Eastpoint Area, and Vogelsong Conservation Area to the State Route 568/Sandusky Street Bridge and back.