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LOCATION
Sippo Lake is owned by the Stark County Park District and is situated between Canton and Massillon between Genoa Road on the west and Perry Drive on the east, and also between 12th Street on the north and Lincoln Way East on the south. Access to the Stark County Park District Office and eastern side of Sippo Lake are via Tyner Street off of Perry Drive; access to the northern portion of the lake is off of 12th Street. At present there are no public roads which give direct access to the western portion of the park.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Sippo Lake was constructed in 1844, by James Duncan, founder of Massillon. A dam was placed on Sippo Creek to create a power source for Mr. Duncan’s mill. In 1977, Sippo Lake and 100 acres of land surrounding the lake were purchased by the Stark County Commissioners. Sippo Lake experienced serious problems with sediment and silt loading, along with excessive aquatic vegetation by the 1990s. The lake was dredged during 1997 and 1998. After dredging, the average depth of the lake was approximately 10 feet, with some areas ranging from 12 to 17 feet in depth. The lake was subsequently restocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. Sippo Lake is 99 acres. Boats are allowed with up to 10-horsepower motors only.
FISHES OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Fish species that are found in Sippo Lake include largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, white perch (aquatic nuisance species that were introduced by anglers), black crappie, channel catfish, 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 |
Fair
|
Poor
|
9.5
|
| Largemouth Bass |
Fair
|
Fair
|
19.2
|
| Sunfish |
Excellent
|
Fair
|
7.0
|
Fish Survey Report
| Type of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| Catfish |
11%
|
Good
|
Average
|
| Crappie |
3%
|
Poor
|
Low
|
Largemouth Bass
|
8%
|
Poor
|
Low
|
| Sunfish |
9%
|
Fair
|
Average
|
Yellow Perch
|
2%
|
Fair
|
High
|
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 and white 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. Small dough balls, made of bread or cereal, may be used to catch carp, as well as kernel corn.
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 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.
The Stark County Park District Office is located at 5300 Tyner Ave. NW, Canton, Ohio 44708 (phone number: 330-477-3552).
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.
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Major Sportfish
Life Histories |
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