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Guilford Lake Fishing Map |
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LOCATION
Guilford Lake is located in Columbiana County on the West Fork Branch of Little Beaver Creek in Hanover Township. It lies north of State Route 172, which joins U.S. Route 30 near Lisbon. State Route 9, from Salem or Hanoverton, joins State Route 172 at New Garden, two miles west of the lake.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Completed in 1932, Guilford Lake was impounded by an earth-filled dam constructed across the West Fork Branch of Little Beaver Creek. The water level is controlled by a concrete spillway and valve. The lake covers 361 surface acres, with more than seven miles of shoreline and nine square miles of drainage area. The maximum depth of Guilford Lake is 22 feet. Boats are allowed with 10 horsepower motors only.
This lake was one of Ohio’s nine original experimental liberalized fishing waters. The management experiment began in 1946 and continued for five years. In 1949, this lake experienced the highest angler density of the nine experimental lakes, with 321 anglers per acre per year.
FISHES OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Fish species that are found in Guilford Lake include largemouth bass, bluegill, black and white crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, brown bullhead, pumpkinseed sunfish, hybrid sunfish, and carp. Channel catfish yearlings (9”+) are stocked during even-numbered years by the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
| Crappie |
Excellent
|
Poor
|
11.1
|
| Largemouth Bass |
Fair
|
Good
|
21.3
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| Sunfish |
Fair
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Poor
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6.7
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Fish Survey Report
| Type of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| Catfish |
17%
|
Excellent
|
High
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| Crappie |
9%
|
Good
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Average
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Largemouth Bass
|
9%
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Fair
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Low
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| Sunfish |
6%
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Fair
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Average
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Angler Survey Report
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Largemouth bass and bluegill can be captured close to shore, especially during the spring and again in the fall. Spinner baits, surface lures, and plastic worms all are good choices for largemouth bass. Wax worms, maggots or small worms are usually a good choice to attract bluegill and other sunfish species to bite. A small hook (# 10 or smaller) is the best bet for successful bluegill fishing. Yellow perch may be caught on worms or minnows. Channel catfish can be captured relatively close to shore from spring through fall. Shrimp, nightcrawlers or chicken liver are preferred baits for channel catfish. A sliding sinker rig, using a swivel to keep the weight from hitting the hook (such as what would be used for fishing for bass with plastic worms) will work well. A # 4 hook is a preferred size to use for catfish.
FISH OHIO
Anglers who catch a big fish should enter their prize in the Fish Ohio angler recognition program. A fish qualifies for an award if it meets the minimum size requirement set for the Fish Ohio program. Applications are available online at FishOhio.org.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The nearest district office is located at Wildlife District Three, 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron, Ohio 44319 (phone number: 330-644-2293). Guilford Lake State Park is located at 6835 E. Lake Road, Lisbon, Ohio 44432 (phone number: 330-222-1712).
TURN IN A POACHER
Ohio’s TIP, “Turn In a Poacher,” program is helping curtail poaching throughout the state. TIP is designed to involve the public in reporting wildlife violations. Citizens who observe wildlife violations should call the TIP toll-free hotline, 1-800-POACHER.
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Major Sportfish
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