Printer Friendly Version

Fishing Permit | Fishing Guide Permit | Metal Detection Permit
Special Use Permit

Wildlife Management Program

Fishing Permit to Hidden Lake

Access to Hidden Lake will be permitted for fishing, by permit only, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 7:00 am until 5:00 pm.

Please keep the following rules in mind:

• Due to space limitations only one vehicle will be allowed per permit. Lake Metroparks will restrict the number of fishing permits issued each day to two.

• Permit holders may only park where designated.

• A one-day, non-transferable fishing permit may be issued to a person 18 years of age or older, who must have the permit in his/her possession while fishing.

• The permit holder may be accompanied by a maximum of three guests. Only one outstanding fishing permit per person will be allowed at any given time. Therefore, a request for a new fishing permit will not be accepted until the existing permit has expired.

Registration will begin 45 days prior to a desired date and will end 24 hours prior to that date.

An Ohio fishing license is not required at Hidden Lake. Fish may be taken with rod and reel or cane pole. Collecting live bait is not permitted.

In accordance with Lake Metropark's management plan, all bass taken from Hidden Lake must be over 15 inches and a maximum of two (2) per person per day is allowed. No more than ten (10) panfish (bluegill, sunfish, crappie, and perch) total may be taken per person per day. Bluegills must be over six (6) inches to be taken; however, there are no size limits on other panfish. No catfish may be taken. All other species of fish are catch and release only.

To view a map of the Hidden Lake, click here.

Click here to register online

Back to top

Fishing Guide Permit

Park rule 9.1 states: No person shall sell or offer for sale any article, thing, privilege or service within any park grounds or park lands unless he has applied for and been issued written permission from the Director. 

All fishing guides must register and obtain a permit from the park district prior to conducting business or operating on Lake Metroparks property.

• Permits will be issued to coincide with the calendar year.
• The permit holder shall maintain per occurrence $1,000,000.00 worth of general liability coverage and name the Lake Metroparks Board of Park Commissioners as an additional insured and produce a copy at time of application.
• All permit applications shall include proof of current certification in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid.

All fishing guides shall comply with all rules and regulations of the park district, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, as well as all applicable state and local laws.

It is the responsibility of the fishing guide to know where the park district boundary lines are located to avoid trespassing on adjacent property.

Back to top

Metal Detection Permit

Metal detecting permits are issued annually beginning March 1.

Click here to register online.

Please keep the following rules in mind:

1. Permit holder must possess permit at all times when metal detecting within Lake Metroparks.


2. Metal detecting permitted on lawn, turf and sand areas only within the Lake Metroparks, as listed below.


3. All ground disturbances must be restored.


4. Permit valid during park open hours only.


5. Metal detecting may not conflict with other park uses, i.e. programs, special use, festivals, etc.


6. Any item(s) of significant value (over $10) must be reported within 3 business days to the Ranger Department at 440-358-7290.


7. Any materials found are subject to being retained by Lake Metroparks.


8. A Significant Item Collection Report is due within 10 days of expiration of permit. A new permit cannot be issued without the prior year "Significant Item Collection Report" being submitted.
   Click here to download the Significant Item Collection Report


9. All Lake Metroparks rules and regulations apply.


10. Metal detecting is permitted within the following Lake Metroparks:
    
    Arcola Creek Park
    Chapin Forest Reservation
    Chagrin River Park
    Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park
    Girdled Road Reservation
    Grand River Landing
    Greenway Corridor
    Hidden Valley Park (Klasen Road side only)
    Helen Hazen Wyman Park
    Lakefront Lodge
    Lakeshore Reservation
    Mason’s Landing Park
    Painesville Township Park
    Riverview Park
    Veterans Park

Back to top

Special Use Permit

Special use permits are required for any park activity that is outside of normal hours, modes of use, or established ways controlled by Park Rules and Regulations.

Application instructions:

• Complete your name, address and phone number
• Fill in the requested activity box.
• Fill in the location only if the activity is limited to one location.
• Please sign and date your request and either fax or mail the permit to the Ranger Department.
• Signature is required.
• The Ranger Department will complete the remainder of the form and upon receiving it will mail it back to you.

Click here to download Application for Special Use Permit.

Back to top