Activities

A day at Chippewa Lake is a day well spent. Whether it’s enjoying a gorgeous sunset, kayaking, bird-watching, fishing, jet skiing, or simply lounging on a pontoon boat, the options are as endless as the shimmering ripples on the lake’s surface.

Fishing

Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a novice, there’s something inherently calming about the rhythmic act of casting and reeling in your line. Chippewa Lake has several fish species, making it a great location to go fishing. Anglers will find bluegill sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, green sunfish, black crappie, white crappie, largemouth bass, brown bullhead, channel catfish, white perch (non-native), common carp (non-native), white sucker, bowfin, gizzard shad, northern pike, yellow perch, and saugeye (saugeye are stocked by ODNR).

• Ohio fishing regulations apply.
• A valid Ohio fishing license is required (16 and older).

Boating

Boating enthusiasts of all kinds flock to Chippewa Lake where the glistening waters beckon with opportunities for adventure and relaxation. Whether you prefer the sleek speed of a motorized boat, the leisurely glide of a pontoon, or the graceful dance of a sailboat catching the wind, there’s something for everyone. Whatever your pleasure, Chippewa Lake offers countless possibilities for unforgettable moments on the water.

The public boat launch is located at 7830 Westfield Landing Road, Medina, Ohio 44256. It is open seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day, free of charge. The ramp will be closed only when site conditions, such as flooding, warrant. The public boat dock is removed on November 15 each year. It is then reinstalled on April 15.

All vessels must be registered with the State of Ohio. Click HERE to visit the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ website for information.

Swimming

Medina County Park District does not have a public beach at Chippewa Lake. Public swimming is permitted from boats in the boater-swim areas only. Swimming is prohibited along shorelines and/or in the middle of the lake. Beaches on the east side of the lake are restricted to local village residents only.

Canoes, Kayaks, and Paddleboards

A day on Chippewa Lake offers a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and appreciation for the natural world. We ask that all paddlecraft users remain in the no-wake zones around the perimeter of the lake on weekends and holidays, when the lake is busiest, to ensure safety among all lake users.

The best place to launch your vessel is the paddlecraft area located at 8108 Lake Road in Westfield Township, at the corner of Lake and Kennard roads. The launch is open from May through October each year. A wetland restoration project was completed, thanks to Governor DeWine’s H2Ohio initiative.

In the coming years, the park district will implement Chippewa Lake Park master plan, including the construction of an accessible kayak launch at the former amusement park site.

Chippewa Lake Birding & Bridle Trail

Chippewa Lake Birding & Bridle Trail officially opens on August 1, 2024. It offers bird watchers and horseback riders the chance to explore a scenic, cool-season grassland habitat and traverse a shallow stream. Located at 7782 Ballash Road in Westfield Township, the 2.3-mile mowed trail is situated on a 123-acre parcel acquired by the park district in 2001. It is just west of Chippewa Lake and south of the park district’s Krabill Lodge.

The trailhead features a gravel parking lot with a 40-foot-wide entrance, accommodating horse trailers and providing 10 paved and striped spaces for smaller vehicles. Click HERE for a trail map. Biking is not permitted on this trail. Dogs are permitted, but must be kept on a leash.

Chippewa Lake is home to multiple species of birds, making it an excellent place for birdwatching enthusiasts. In the spring, a variety of ducks use the lake as a rest area before flying to their breeding grounds in Canada or the Western U.S. Check out the eBird website to see which species have been spotted at Chippewa Lake: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1663404.

Future plans, likely in 2025, include adding a picnic shelter, restroom, and an additional section of mowed trail on the east side of Ballash Road.

Annually, the Chippewa Lake Birding & Bridle Trail will be open to the public from May 1 through October 31 to limit impacts to the trail during wetter conditions.

Photo courtesy of: Roni Leatherman