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LOCATION
Lake Milton lies within Mahoning County in northeastern Ohio. The Dam is approximately 1/2 mile from the Mahoning-Trumbull County line. Interstate Route 76 bisects the reservoir. State Route 534 runs parallel to the lake on the east side. Youngstown is approximately 10 miles east of the lake, Akron 25 miles to the west.
HISTORY
Lake Milton was built by the City of Youngstown in 1916 as an industrial water supply for the city's steel mills. The reservoir was created by a concrete dam erected across the Mahoning River. Today it is considered a multiple-use reservoir for water supply, flood control, and recreation.
FISH OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Lake Milton has good populations of walleye, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappies, and channel catfish, plus fair populations of smallmouth bass, brown bullhead, yellow perch, white bass, suckers, and muskellunge. Walleye and surplus muskellunge are stocked by the Division of Wildlife of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
| Channel Catfish |
Fair
|
Fair
|
23.5
|
| Crappie |
Fair
|
Good
|
13.3
|
| Largemouth Bass |
Poor
|
Excellent
|
19.5
|
| Muskellunge |
Good
|
Good
|
53.3
|
Smallmouth Bass
|
Excellent
|
Good
|
20.5
|
| Sunfish |
Poor
|
Excellent
|
7.8
|
| Walleye |
Fair
|
Poor
|
22.9
|
White Bass
|
Fair
|
Poor
|
17.7
|
Fish Survey Report
| Type of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| Catfish |
10%
|
Fair
|
High
|
| Crappie |
6%
|
Poor
|
Average
|
Largemouth Bass and
Smallmouth Bass |
22%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
| Muskellunge |
3%
|
Good
|
Average
|
| Sunfish |
4%
|
Poor
|
Average
|
Walleye
|
26%
|
Good
|
High
|
White Bass
|
1%
|
Excellent
|
Average
|
Yellow Perch
|
1%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
Angler Survey Report
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Fishing in April, May, and June produces good to excellent catches of largemouth bass, walleye, and crappies. Casting the shoreline in the cover areas with artificial lures, from either shore or boat, is the most successful method. Fishing the cover areas with minnows and jigs is best for crappies. Trolling with spinners and trailing night crawlers is the best method for walleye. The river upstream has many bays and cover areas that offer excellent fishing for all species. Good catches of channel catfish are made throughout the fishing season, but July and August are the best months. Still fishing at night is the best method, with dead or live minnows, liver, and shrimp. Bluegill are caught throughout the season, principally by cane pole and fly rod on worms, maggots, and tipped flies.
FISH OHIO
Anglers who catch 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 requirements set for the Fish Ohio program. Applications are available online at FishOhio.org.
FISH MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
The ODNR Division of Wildlife's fish management activities include stocking, population monitoring with nets, seines, and creel census, and general physical and chemical water quality analyses. These activities help determine the best possible fish management program for this lake.
Recreational facilities include boating, camping, bait and tackle, and swimming.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The nearest district office is located at Wildlife District Three, 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron, Ohio 44319, telephone 330/644-2293. Horsepower limits and other boating regulations are subject to change. Contact the ODNR Division of Wildlife for the most current information.
TURN IN A POACHER
Ohio’s TIP, “Turn In a Poacher,” program is helping to control 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
Life Histories |
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