Kids Fishing Hotspots
in Northeast Ohio
 Atwood Reservoir (Lake Map)– Carroll, Tuscarawas counties (1,540 acres), 25 horsepower • Saugeye, Largemouth bass, Crappies, Bluegills
• Great small boat fishing lake with some shoreline fishing opportunities
• Camping, lodge, boat rentals, boat ramps, hunting, hiking, swimming, and golf
• Facilities information available online at Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (or call 330-343-6647)
Fishing Tips
Saugeye can be caught from spring through fall on rigs as simple as one-half of a nightcrawler, which is hooked on a small jig (1/32 ounce) then cast and retrieved slowly or drifted. Largemouth bass can be quite active during the spring warming periods leading up to their early May spawning period; spinnerbaits and crankbaits are good lure choices at this time. Bluegills can be captured on maggots, wax worms, and about any other worms small enough to get in their mouths, using a small hook or jig; concentrate efforts around structure (logs, stumps, docks, weed edges). Bluegills are quite vulnerable during the May and early June period when they make their saucer-shaped nests in shallow areas along the shoreline.
Berlin Youth Fishing Pond (See map of Berlin Lake) – Portage County (1 acre), no boats,
• YOUTH ONLY (15 years of age and younger)
• Largemouth bass, Bluegills, Channel catfish
• Located beside the boat launch ramp on Bonner Road
Clendening Reservoir (See Lake Map) – Harrison County (1,800 acres), 10 horsepower
• Largemouth bass, Bluegills, Saugeye
• One of the most scenic lakes in northeast Ohio
• Quiet; another great lake for small boats
• Facilities information available from Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (330-343-6647)
Fishing Tips
Saugeye effort should be directed in areas where the bottom is gravelly or rocky, i.e., non-soft areas; jigs tipped with worms or minnows work well. For largemouth bass, deeper diving crankbaits or (weighted) plastic worms would be good choices in the northern half of the lake. Submerged trees and brush piles are good areas to try for bluegills, using small worms.
District 3 Headquarter's Youth Fishing Ponds – Summit County (4 ponds), no boats
• YOUTH ONLY (15 years of age and younger)
• Bluegills, Carp, Rainbow Trout (early summer only)
• Open Memorial Day through Labor Day
• Stocked with Bluegill throughout the summer
• All bait and fishing poles are provided
• For information call the District 3 Headquarters at (330) 644-2293
Findley Lake (See Lake Map)– Lorain County (93 acres), electric motors only
• Bluegills, Channel catfish, Largemouth bass
• Great shore and small boat fishing lake
• ODNR state park (Findley State Park) with campground, boat rentals, boat ramps, hunting, hiking, swimming, and picnic areas (440-647-4490)
Fishing Tips
For bluegills, fish near logs, submerged trees, brush, and other structure using small worms on small hooks. Channel catfish may be caught on chicken liver, nightcrawlers, prepared baits, or shrimp on medium-sized (#4) hooks fished on the bottom (usually no deeper than 8 feet); nighttime fishing tends to be more productive for catfish. This is an excellent lake for children to learn about largemouth bass fishing. Bass are plentiful and the bass population can actually be improved by the thinning of bass less than 12 inches (note: bass between 12 and 15 inches may not be kept). Largemouth bass can be caught on a variety of crankbaits, spinnerbaits, plastic lures, and even live bait.
Highlandtown Lake (Lake Map)– Columbiana County (170 acres), electric motors only
• Bluegills, Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, Crappies
• Great, quiet lake for shore and small boat fishing
• Handicapped accessible fishing pier adjacent to Osbourne Road boat ramp
• Highlandtown Wildlife Area surrounds this lake (330-679-2201)
Fishing Tips
The Highlandtown Fish Management Unit (330-679-2201) has placed a variety of structures, e.g., evergreen trees, pallets, spools, brush piles, felled trees, etc., in depths usually less than 10 feet. These are great places to try your luck for bluegills other than the May-June period, when these fish are spawning in shallow water. Channel catfish are frequently caught at night in water depths of 10 feet or less on live bait (bluegills, minnows, nightcrawlers), prepared baits, chicken liver, or shrimp. Crappies can be caught in the same areas as bluegills, i.e., near structure, at most times of the year. This is another lake where there is an overabundance of largemouth bass less than 12 inches. It will benefit the bass population to thin the ranks of these small bass (note: bass between 12 and 15 inches may not be kept).
Ismond Pond – (Columbiana County) (5 acres), electric motors only
• Bluegill, Largemouth bass
Leesville Reservoir – Carroll County (1000 acres), 10 horsepower
• Muskellunge, Largemouth bass, Crappies
• The best overall (i.e., consistent catches of numbers and “lunker” muskies) muskellunge lake in Ohio
• Another beautiful northeast Ohio lake best suited for small boat fishing
• Facilities information available from Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (330-343-6647)
Fishing Tips
Jerkbaits and spinnerbaits are best during spring and fall, while trolled crankbaits are the best choices for muskellunge during the summer. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits are the better lure choices for largemouth bass at this relatively “weedy” lake. Crappies can be caught during April and May on minnows or “twister” type jigs near submerged trees and brush piles.
Mosquito Reservoir (see lake map)– Trumbull County (7,850 acres), unlimited horsepower
• Bluegills, crappies, walleye
• A handicapped accessible fishing pier is available near the park office
• One of the best inland lakes for crappies and walleye
• Flexible boating area, with unrestricted horsepower
• ODNR state park (Mosquito Lake State Park) with campground, boat rentals, boat ramps, hunting, hiking, bridle trails, swimming, picnic areas, and winter recreation activities (330-637-2856)
Fishing Tips
Bluegill efforts should be concentrated around docks and other submerged structures using small worms (wax, meal, garden) or maggots; use small hooks and bobbers (optional). Crappies are also caught near submerged structures. Crappie catches around the SR 88 causeway are especially good during the night from late March through early April. A floating jig, tipped with a nightcrawler or minnow, and drifted under a “slip” type bobber can be a very effective walleye presentation. A trolled crankbait, which resembles a minnow, also works well for walleye.
Pymatuning Reservoir – Ashtabula County (14,650 acres), 10 horsepower
• Walleye, Bluegills, Muskellunge
• The best inland walleye fishery in Ohio
• Great opportunities for shore and boat anglers
• ODNR state park (Pymatuning State Park) with cottages, campground, boat rentals, boat ramps, hunting, hiking, swimming, picnic areas, and winter recreation activities (440-293-6030)
Fishing Tips
Small jigs tipped with nightcrawler or a minnow and drifted or cast work well for walleye. Wading anglers catch walleye in both spring and fall, especially toward evening, using crankbaits, or small jigs tipped with worms or minnows. Bluegills are overlooked even though the average fish kept is about 7.5 inches! Many walleye anglers are likely surprised when they see a “jumbo” bluegill or perch on the end of their small jig tipped with a worm or minnow. Most muskellunge are caught on trolled muskie-sized crankbaits.
Silver Creek Lake – Summit County (60 acres), electric motors only
• Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Rainbow trout (April-May only)
• Quiet lake, with decent shore fishing access, close to Akron
• Boat rentals available (Memorial Day to Labor Day); rental boats are only watercraft allowed
• Facilities information online at Metroparks Serving Summit County (or call 330-867-5511)
Fishing Tips
Largemouth bass are most vulnerable during the early spring period (late March to early May) and may be caught on a variety of spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Silver Creek Lake does not have an abundance of “structure” so when you find a brush pile or submerged tree, spend some time on those areas. Chicken liver, nightcrawlers, shrimp, or prepared baits all will attract channel catfish; use about a #4 hook with a small amount of weight (e.g., split shot or sliding sinker) in water depths less than 8 feet. Catchable-sized rainbow trout are normally stocked by late April. Use a 1/32-ounce jig tipped with maggots and cast this offering with a weighted Styrofoam bobber. Retrieve a few cranks and then let your jig sink; the trout often find this irresistible.
Tappan Reservoir – Harrison County (2,350 acres), 299 horsepower
• Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Saugeye
• A nice, scenic lake for fishing and other forms of outdoor recreation
• A handicapped fishing pier is available along U.S. 250
• Camping, boat rentals, boat ramps, hunting, hiking, swimming, picnic areas, nature center, and special events
• See lake map
• Additional facility information available from Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (330-343-6647)
Fishing Tips
A lot of “downed” trees provide great areas to find largemouth bass throughout the fishing season. Crankbaits and plastic worms are good lure choices for bass in these areas. Channel catfish are plentiful and can be captured in reasonably shallow areas (less than 8 feet) and more frequently at night. Saugeye can be caught on small jigs tipped with worms or minnows. Fall is a great time to catch saugeye around the bridge openings, where these fish seek current. Vertical jigging is quite effective for saugeye at this time.
Turkeyfoot Reservoir – Summit County (666 acres), 400 horsepower
• Largemouth bass, Redear sunfish
• Excellent boat fishing lake located in Akron
• ODNR state park (Portage Lakes State Park) with campground, boat rentals, boat ramps, and swimming (330-644-2220)
Fishing Tips
Largemouth bass can be captured on crankbaits and spinnerbaits particularly during the spring and fall. There are lots of weedbeds for cover at this lake. Redear sunfish are large and plentiful; use redworms, waxworms, or maggots on a small 1/32- or 1/64-ounce jig in water depths typically less than 8 feet. Redear sunfish, like bluegills, will orient to structure.
Grand River – Lake and Ashtabula counties (32 miles from Harpersfield to the river mouth), unlimited horsepower
• Steelhead trout (fall through spring), Smallmouth bass, Rock bass
• Rated as one of the better steelhead trout streams in the country
• Great shore fishing access; best boat fishing from canoe or small boat
• See our Grand River steelhead trout map
• Facility information available from Lake Metroparks (440-639-7275)
Fishing Tips
Steelhead trout are captured on spawn bags (trout or salmon eggs tied in a thumbnail-sized bag), small (1/32- or 1/32-ounce) jigs tipped with maggots, spinners, spoons, and an assortment of flies from as early as late September through April. It is not uncommon for these trout to reach 30 inches and more! Smallmouth bass can be captured on small “tube,” “curly-tail,” or hair jigs at any time in the fishing season. Rock bass can also be captured on small jigs, minnows, or worms.
Little Beaver Creek – Columbiana County (Beaver Creek State Park to Pennsylvania border), unlimited horsepower
• Smallmouth bass
• One of three Ohio rivers that has national, as well as statewide, scenic recognition
• Outstanding stream to fish from canoe or small boat; good shore access also
• ODNR state park with camping, canoeing, hiking, bridle trails, and picnic areas (330-385-3091)
Fishing Tips
Use small “tube,” “curly-tail,” or hair jigs to entice the smallmouth bass. Efforts should be directed in deeper pools with current. Other likely smallmouth haunts are near fallen trees and downstream of large boulders.
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