HISTORY
In 1825 the Ohio Legislature appropriated funds for the construction of a large network of canals and reservoirs to supply water for the canal system. The Portage Lakes, a series of lakes south of Akron, were created as part of this network of water supply reservoirs. They were formed by the construction of dikes and dams to raise the water levels of some of the swamps and small lakes typical of this heavily glaciated southern part of Summit County.
The use of the Portage Lakes as a water supply for the canal system ceased in 1913 when the canal was abandoned as a means of transportation. However, during this period the rubber industry was expanding in Akron, and the demand for industrial water increased. The Portage Lakes and a portion of the canal system were used to meet the water demands for industrial development along the canal and Summit Lake. During the dry years of the early 1930s the Portage Lakes were drawn down to such an extent that a new reservoir - Nimisila - was built to direct water from Nimisila Creek into the Portage Lakes.
DESCRIPTION
The Portage Lakes are at three topographical levels. Long Lake, the lowest lake, was formed by flooding a swamp area which had a small pothole lake at its south end. North Reservoir, and the middle level, was formed by a dike flooding a flat area of land and a small pothole lake known as Hower Lake. At the highest level, and impounding the largest acreage of water - 1,192 acres, are three separate reservoirs: East, West, and Turkeyfoot. Turkeyfoot Lake is connected to West Reservoir by a channel. West Reservoir overflows into North Reservoir and is connected to East Reservoir by a channel. East Reservoir has a control structure from which water is released into a channel which flows into Long Lake.
Turkeyfoot Lake: 483 surface acres - 12.6 feet average depth
West Reservoir: 105 surface acres - 11.3 feet average depth
East Reservoir: 208 surface acres - 14.8 feet average depth
North Reservoir: 165 surface acres - 10.0 feet average depth
Long Lake: 231 surface acres - 16.3 feet average depth
FISHES OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Largemouth bass, black and white crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, pumpkinseed, warmouth sunfish, yellow perch, channel catfish, bullhead, white sucker, and carp are found in the Portage Lakes.
Crappie and bass fishing is particularly productive during April, May, and June; bluegill and catfish angling during the summer. Ice fishing for bluegill and crappie is also very popular in the Portage Lakes.
FISHING FORECAST
Fish Survey Report
| Lake |
Type of Fish |
Overall
Numbers |
Size |
Largest
(inches)
|
| East Reservoir |
Crappie |
Poor
|
Excellent
|
12.3
|
| Largemouth Bass |
Good
|
Good
|
21.0
|
| Sunfish |
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
7.5
|
| Long Lake |
Crappie
|
Poor
|
Good
|
11.7
|
| Largemouth Bass |
Excellent |
Excellent |
22.1 |
| Sunfish |
Fair |
Excellent |
9.2 |
| North Reservoir |
Crappie |
Excellent |
Good |
13.4 |
| Largemouth Bass |
Excellent |
Good |
21.4 |
| Sunfish |
Excellent |
Good |
8.3 |
| Turkeyfoot Lake |
Catfish |
Fair |
Poor |
24.5 |
| Crappie |
Fair |
Excellent |
13.0 |
| Largemouth Bass |
Excellent |
Excellent |
21.4 |
| Sunfish |
Good |
Good |
9.1 |
| West Reservoir |
Crappie |
Poor |
Excellent |
15.8 |
| Largemouth Bass |
Excellent |
Good |
20.0 |
| Sunfish |
Excellent |
Excellent |
10.3 |
Angler Survey Report
| Lake |
Type of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| East Reservoir |
Catfish |
0%
|
Good
|
Low
|
| Crappie |
16%
|
Fair
|
Low
|
| Largemouth Bass |
46%
|
Excellent
|
Average
|
| Sunfish |
22%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
| Long Lake |
Catfish |
4%
|
Good
|
Low
|
| Crappie |
13%
|
Poor
|
Average
|
| Largemouth Bass |
54%
|
Fair
|
Average
|
| Sunfish |
16%
|
Good
|
High
|
| North Reservoir |
Catfish |
24%
|
Fair
|
High
|
| Crappie |
10%
|
Excellent
|
Average
|
| Largemouth Bass |
6%
|
Poor
|
Low
|
| Sunfish |
11%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
| Turkeyfoot Lake |
Catfish |
1%
|
Poor
|
Low
|
| Crappie |
6%
|
Good
|
Average
|
| Largemouth Bass |
54%
|
Good
|
High
|
| Sunfish |
20%
|
Excellent
|
High
|
| West Reservoir |
Catfish |
2%
|
Poor
|
Low
|
| Crappie |
6%
|
Poor
|
Average
|
| Largemouth Bass |
45%
|
Excellent
|
Average
|
| Sunfish |
16%
|
Excellent
|
Average
|
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
Fishing, boating, water skiing, picnicking, and swimming are the most popular forms of recreation in the area. Boat rentals, bait, food service, a golf course, and cottages are available.
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.
FISH MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
Electrofishing, trap-netting, and gill netting surveys are performed periodically to assess various fish populations. Yearling (9"+) channel catfish are stocked in alternate years in the Portage Lakes. Fish concentrating structures may be placed as necessary to provide better fishing opportunities.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The nearest Wildlife District Office is located at 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron, Ohio 44319 (phone number: 330-644-2293). To get other maps or publications call toll free 1-800 WILDLIFE.
Portage Lakes State Park
TURN IN A POACHER
Ohio’s TIP, “Turn In a Poacher,” program is helping to 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.