THE LAKE

Among the largest natural inland lakes in the State of Ohio, Chippewa Lake was created some 14,000 years ago by the melting of massive glacial ice sheets as they retreated north. Chippewa Lake has a long history of human habitation going back thousands of years when Native Americans visited the fertile wetlands and lakeshores to hunt and trade. In recent history, the lake served as a playground for generations of visitors to storied Chippewa Lake Amusement Park, which closed its doors in 1978 after 100 years.

Medina County Park District regularly tests for cyanobacteria/ harmful algal blooms, typically from May through November. The park district will only send out announcement if the microcystin level increases to 8 ppb or higher. If water levels surpass the flood stage due to rain events, the lake is closed until E. Coli tests confirm conditions are safe. 

Please note that physical flags are flown with a color system to indicate whether the lake is open or if there are warnings. The color scheme can be found on the park district’s web page about Chippewa Lake located here: 

http://www.medinacountyparks.com/index.php/parks/parks/chippewa-lake-krabill-shelter. 

Bookmark this page to find updates next summer from Medina County Park District. Click on Current Conditions at Chippewa Lake, then scroll to the bottom for “Water Test Reports” and click on to view test results. 

Any questions about the lake or water quality should be directed to the Medina County Park District.

Click HERE for a map of the lake.

Although the lake is open to the public, you may not launch a boat within the Village of Gloria Glens, unless you are a member of The Association.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LAUNCH A BOAT WITHIN VILLAGE LIMITS!

Location

Chippewa Lake is located southwest of Medina in Medina County, situated between U.S. Route 42 and State Route 3.  

The public boat launch is in the southwest portion of the lake at the end of Westfield Landing Road off of Kennard Road.

History and Recreation

Among the largest natural inland lakes in the State of Ohio, the 325 acre Chippewa Lake was created some 14,000 years ago by the melting of massive glacial ice sheets as they retreated north. Chippewa Lake has a long history of human habitation going back thousands of years when Native Americans visited the fertile wetlands and lakeshores to hunt and trade. In recent history, the lake served as a playground for generations of visitors to storied Chippewa Lake Amusement Park, which closed its doors in 1978 after 100 years.  

Medina County Park District purchased open land on the west side of the lake over a period of years. In 2007, the park district acquired the lake, itself. 

The ODNR Division of Wildlife entered into a Fishing Agreement for Chippewa Lake in 2011, taking responsibility for fisheries management activities.  

The State of Ohio requires all boats, canoes, and kayaks be registered.

Registration information is available at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website. These links will also help in the process:

• Online Boat Registration Renewal
• Finding a Boat Registration Agent
• Registering Your Boat
• Know the Rules

Ohio Boater Education Law

The law requires boaters born on or after January 1, 1982, to successfully complete either a boating course or a proficiency exam in order to operate a boat powered by more than 10 horsepower.

You can go fishing year-round, but it's important to be aware of Ohio's fishing regulations. The laws can be different for fishing specific waters and catching certain species of fish. 

Here are a few ice safety tips that ice fisherman should keep in mind before venturing out on frozen water. 

ODNR Ice Thickness Guidlines

ODNR Ice Fishing Safety Tips

2024-25 Regulations in English

2023-24 Regulaciónes en Spanish

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).

• Safe Boater Kids:

 In this cool, short, Alaska-based graphic story are embedded lessons about boating safety procedures and life-jacket wear. Accompanying it is “Kids Don’t Float,” a boating safety lesson disguised as a coloring and activity book.

• Boating Safety Tips 

Safe Kids Worldwide® is a nonprofit organization working to help families and communities keep kids safe from injuries. 

• BoatsUS

Keeping little ones safe and having fun aboard may have its challenges, but when it's done right, it sows the seeds for a lifetime love of boating.

Life jackets save lives. It is important to choose a life jacket that you will wear, that meets the needs of your boating activity, and that works for the boating environment it will be exposed to. 

Knowing the facts about the different types of life jackets  — also referred to as PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices) — can help you decide which is appropriate for you. ODNR strongly encourages all boaters to wear life jackets, whether or not the law requires it. 

Click HERE for more information.

There are four (3) boat docks that are privately owned and maintained. If you are interested in available space, please contact the following Dock Masters:

• Dock #1  

              Southside Docks, Inc.

              Marlin  Snow  

               (330) 958-3333

• Dock #2  

              Chippewa yacht Club

              Gary Harris  

              (330) 769-4030

• Dock #3  

              David Kopen  

              (330) 645-8500