Stillwater River
The Stillwater River is a tributary of the Great Miami River, approximately 65 mi (105 km) long. It is part of the Mississippi River watershed.
It rises near the Indiana state line, in western Darke County approximately 10 mi (16 km) northwest of Greenville. It flows east-southeast and is joined by the Greenville Creek in Covington, approximately 5 mi (8 km) west of Piqua. It flows south past Covington and Englewood, where it is dammed for flood control, then southeast to join the Great Miami River in Dayton.
In 1975, the Stillwater River and Greenville Creek System became Ohio’s eighth scenic river.
Upper River Section – State Route 55 to Fetter Rd.
Species: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Bluegill and Carp.
Access Points and Maps: In Miami County, starting with and heading upstream, State Route 718, Lauver Rd., Falknor Rd., Bridge St. Covington Oh, State Route 36, W. Covington Bradford Rd., Klinger Rd., Rangeline Rd., State Route 185, Bradford Bloomer Rd. and Fetter Rd. You can get a map with the most current information from the Miami Conservancy District at https://www.mcdwater.org/wp-content/uploads/PDFs/2015-StillwaterRiver-Map-Web.pdf. This map covers all areas referenced on this page.
Flies: Nymphs, such as Pheasant Tails, Prince nymphs, Caddis nymphs and Hellgrammites, all work well on the Stillwater River. Surface flies, like Sneaky Pete’s, Deer Hair Poppers, and Caddis patterns, along with terrestrial’s like grasshoppers, ants, and cricket patterns make a good choice during the summer. Streamer patterns imitating minnows, shiners, and Sculpins work using a sinking or floating line. Other productive patterns are San Juan worms, crayfish patterns, leeches and frogs.
Equipment: 8’ to 9.5’ fly rods in #5 – #8 weights are best. Leader and Tippets in sizes 3x – 4x and 5x are recommended.
Seasons and Miscellaneous Information: The season begins in April and runs to November. This section is wadeable however, floating is best.
Middle River Section – State Route 40 to State Route 55.
Species: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Bluegill, and Carp.
Access Points and Maps: In Montgomery County, starting with and heading upstream, State Route 40, Martindale Rd., Old Springfield Rd. In Miami County, starting with and heading upstream, Garland Rd., State Route 571, State Route 55, Horseshoe Bend Rd., Fenner Rd., State Route 48 and Penny Rd.
Flies: Nymphs, such as Pheasant Tails, Prince nymphs, Caddis nymphs and Hellgrammites, all work well on the Stillwater River. Surface flies, like Sneaky Pete’s, Deer Hair Poppers, and Caddis patterns, along with terrestrial’s like grasshoppers, ants, and cricket patterns make a good choice during the summer. Streamer patterns imitating minnows, shiners, and Sculpins work using a sinking or floating line. Other productive patterns are San Juan worms, crayfish patterns, leeches and frogs.
Equipment: 8’ to 9.5’ fly rods in #5 – #8 weights are best. Leader and Tippets in sizes 3x – 4x and 5x are recommended.
Seasons and Miscellaneous Information: The season begins in April and runs to November. This section is wadeable however, floating is best.
City of Dayton River Section – Springboro Pike to Little York Rd.
Species: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Bluegill, and Carp.
Access Points and Maps: In Montgomery County, starting with and heading upstream, State Route 40, Martindale Rd., Old Springfield Rd. In Miami County, starting with and heading upstream, Garland Rd., State Route 571, State Route 55, Horseshoe Bend Rd., Fenner Rd., State Route 48 and Penny Rd.
Flies: Nymphs, such as Pheasant Tails, Prince nymphs, Caddis nymphs and Hellgrammites, all work well on the Stillwater River. Surface flies, like Sneaky Pete’s, Deer Hair Poppers, and Caddis patterns, along with terrestrial’s like grasshoppers, ants, and cricket patterns make a good choice during the summer. Streamer patterns imitating minnows, shiners, and Sculpins work using a sinking or floating line. Other productive patterns are San Juan worms, crayfish patterns, leeches and frogs.
Equipment: 8’ to 9.5’ fly rods in #5 – #8 weights are best. Leader and Tippets in sizes 3x – 4x and 5x are recommended.
Seasons and Miscellaneous Information: The season begins in April and runs to November. This section is wadeable however, floating is best.
Lower River Section – Great Miami River To State Route 40.
Species: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Bluegill and Carp.
Access Points and Maps: In Montgomery County, starting with and heading upstream, Great Miami River, Ridge Ave., Siebenthaler Ave., Shoup Mill Rd., Peters Pike, Dog Leg Rd., Heathcliff Rd.
Flies: Nymphs, such as Pheasant Tails, Prince nymphs, Caddis nymphs and Hellgrammites, all work well on the Stillwater River. Surface flies, like Sneaky Pete’s, Deer Hair Poppers, and Caddis patterns, along with terrestrial’s like grasshoppers, ants, and cricket patterns make a good choice during the summer. Streamer patterns imitating minnows, shiners, and Sculpins work using a sinking or floating line. Other productive patterns are San Juan worms, crayfish patterns, leeches and frogs.
Equipment: 8’ to 9.5’ fly rods in #5 – #8 weights are best. Leader and Tippets in sizes 3x – 4x and 5x are recommended.
Seasons and Miscellaneous Information: The season begins in April and runs to November. This section is wadeable; however, floating is best.