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Boating

Website:Boating

Wayne County has one body of water that's open to public boating, Middlefork Reservoir. However, there are additional opportunities nearby, including Whitewater Memorial State Park, Brookville Reservoir, Hueston Woods State Park and even the Ohio River.

Locations | Boat & Canoe Rental | Safety | Weather | Government | Resources

Middlefork Reservoir

Service Center Schedule
April 15 - 30 Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
May 1 - August 31 Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
September 1 - 30 Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Middlefork Reservoir Park
Sylvan Nook Drive
Richmond, IN  47374
765.983.7275

The Middlefork Reservoir Park is a 405-acre facility which hosts a 177-acre stream and spring-fed lake. Owned by the Indiana-American Water Company, the Reservoir provides 60% of the water supply to the City of Richmond. The Richmond Parks and Recreation Department manages the recreation facilities and maintains the park grounds. In addition to fishing and boating, the park also hosts picnic shelters, playground, green space, a Bark Park, model airplane airstrip and hiking trails.

The Reservoir Service Center and public restrooms are open spring and summer. Daily operational hours may vary according to the season and weather conditions.

Boat Rental

Rental boats are available during Service Center operational hours. Paddle boats and row boats are available to those persons 18 years and older. Oars and lifejackets are provided with each rental. Trolling motors are permitted on the fishing boats.

Launch and Dock Fees
Type Daily Launch Annual Launch Dock Rental
City of Richmond Resident $6 $50 $385
City of Richmond Non-Resident $6 $60 $460
Senior: City of Richmond Resident N/A N/A $325
Senior: City of Richmond Non-Resident N/A N/A $385
Wayne County Resident $6 N/A $425
Wayne County Senior Resident N/A N/A $365
Family of 4 - Kayak $20 $125 N/A
Single Kayak $6 $60 N/A

Fisherman are welcome to launch their private boats at the Middlefork Reservoir. Permits can be purchased at the Service Center. Launching is permitted 24 hours a day, but fishermen must carry their permits or receipts with them at all times.

Middlefork is a "NO WAVE, NO WAKE" lake.

Docks, ideal for pontoon and sailboats, are available for public rental. The docks are handicapped accessible and have minimum security lighting and security surveilance camera. Reservations are accepted at the Administration Office in Glen Miller Park. In addition to general information, you must provide documentation of current boat registration and payment of City of Richmond property tax to receive the resident rate. Call 765.983.PARK.

Additional Boating Locations

Brookville Lake - 5,260-acre lake - just north of Brookville, Indiana

Hueston Woods - near Oxford, Ohio

Indiana Lakes - by Boating America - not complete by any means, but a place to start.

Indiana Rivers and Streams - by Indiana Outfitters

Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs- by Indiana DNR

Whitewater Memorial State Park - just south of Liberty, Indiana

Boat, Canoe & Kayak Rental

Indiana

Indiana Water Trails - by the Indiana DNR

Kent's Harbor - Ski Boats & Pontoons

Morgan's Brookville Canoe Center

Whitewater Canoe Rental

Ohio

Barefoot Canoe

Canoe Country

Little Miami River Canoe Rental

River's Edge Outfitters

Government

Boating Rates & Fees in Indiana

Ohio Boat Operators Guide - Ohio DNR - Division of Watercraft

Watercraft Registration and Titling in Indiana

United States Coast Guard

Ohio River Guides

Ohio River Navigation Information - U.S. Army Corp of Engineers

Safety Resources

Boat Indiana Course - to satisfy the Indiana boater certification law. (Study information is free, fee for Certification Exam.)

Boat Safe Kids - fun activities for kids that promote boating instruction & safety.

Boating Safety - Boater's Resource Center

Official Indiana Boater Safety Handbook

How to Choose the Right Life Jacket

U.S. Coast Guard's Boating Safety Resource Center

Weather, Streamflow & Current Info

Current Streamflow Conditions - Ohio River Basin in INDIANA - U.S. Geological Survey

Current Streamflow Conditions - Ohio River Basin in OHIO - U.S. Geological Survey

Marine Forecasts by NOAA - marine weather forecasts for the Great Lakes

Ohio River Forecast Center - by the National Weather Service

Real Time Stream Flow in Indiana

Organizations & Additional Resources

Hoosier Canoe and Kayak Club

Knots on the Web

Whitewater River Description - by Indiana Outfitters

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City of Richmond, Indiana
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Did You Know?

Johnny Ringo, a famous outlaw who became the chief antagonist of Wyatt Earp, was born in Greens Fork, Indiana (then known as Washington).