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Wingfoot Lake Fishing Map |
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LOCATION
Wingfoot Lake is located in southwestern Portage County, 3 miles east of Akron and 8 miles south of Kent, west of State Route 43, one half mile south of U.S. Route 224.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Wingfoot Lake is owned largely by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. Wingfoot Lake was created by Wingfoot Lake Dam on the Wingfoot Lake Outlet in Portage County. Construction of the Wingfoot Lake Dam was completed in 1916. Wingfoot Lake was formerly the property of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Wingfoot Lake’s rich heritage dates back to the early twentieth century when it was created to supply water for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s burgeoning manufacturing facility nearby in Akron. Wingfoot Lake is now considered as a recreational resource. The former Wingfoot Lake Park is now owned by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks, as well as the Division of Wildlife. The lake has a water surface of 444 acres. The maximum depth of Wingfoot Lake is 15 feet. Boats are allowed on Wingfoot Lake, but they must be propelled by outboard motors of 10 horsepower or less. The fish populations in Wingfoot Lake are managed by the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
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.
FISHES OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Fish species that are found in Wingfoot Lake include largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, warmouth sunfish, black and white crappie, yellow perch, walleye, and brown bullhead. Yearling (9"+) channel catfish will be stocked in alternate years at Wingfoot Lake.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
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Size |
Largest
(inches) |
| Crappie |
Good
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Poor
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12.4
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| Largemouth Bass |
Poor
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Fair
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22.1
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| Sunfish |
Poor
|
Good
|
7.5
|
Fish Survey Report
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
Wingfoot Lake provides excellent fishing throughout the year. Shore fishing access is somewhat limited, but a large majority of the lake is available for boat fishing. April, May, and June are the best months for catching largemouth bass, by casting surface lures, crank baits, or spinners towards the shore and retrieving at a moderate speed. Bluegill sunfish are also caught at this time on worms and flies tipped with maggots. Crappie are taken on live minnows and jigs, particularly in the brushy areas of the lake or where downed trees exist. Brown bullhead are caught throughout the lake on worms and chicken liver. Yellow perch can be taken on minnows or worms. Most of the fish caught during ice fishing tend to be bluegill, crappie, and perch. Bluegill are most readily caught on ice flies (also known as “pin mins”) tipped with maggots, wax worms, or meal worms. Crappie prefer live minnows.
FISH MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
The Division of Wildlife periodically conducts fisheries surveys for various fish populations at Wingfoot Lake using electrofishing or trap-netting. Fish concentrating structures may be placed as necessary to provide better fishing opportunities.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The nearest district office is Wildlife District Three, 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron, Ohio 44319; telephone (330) 644-2293. Other lake maps and publications can be obtained by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE.
A map is also available for Wingfoot Lake Wildlife Area (Publication 5429).
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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