Fishing in Ashtabula County, Ohio
Seat: Jefferson.
- 2lake pages
- 15launches
- 3river pages
Pick for steelheadPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Pymatuning Reservoir: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Starting points for fishing Ashtabula County
97,574 Ohioans lived in Ashtabula County in 2020, and the courthouse sits in Jefferson. The Census Gazetteer gives it 702 square miles of land and 665.8 square miles of water. This is a Lake Erie county: 9 lake launches and 9 shore sites line the shore.
Lake pages cover 2 waters here totalling 16,297 acres, led by Pymatuning Lake. Check the motor rule: 1 lake have one, and 0 ban gas engines. The attractor layer marks 48 sites on 2 lakes in the county. There are 15 public launches in the county, 13 of them concrete, with 544 trailer spaces reported. Steelhead from the ODNR program run up Grand River, Conneaut Creek and Ashtabula River.
Census 2020 population and 2023 Gazetteer areas; ODNR Division of Wildlife lake outlines, horsepower and attractor layers, ODNR launch list; retrieved October 2026.
For the steelhead herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Where to put in across Ashtabula County, mapped
ODNR launch and fishing-access points, ODNR lake outlines (representative points) and ODNR stream access points. Checked October 2026.
The Ashtabula County lake lineup
| Lake | Acres | Launches | Motor rule | Fish on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pymatuning Lake | 16,254 | 6 | 20 HP limit | walleye, muskellunge |
| New Lyme Lake | 43 | 0 | channel catfish |
With little lake water inside Ashtabula County, these neighbors come next, measured from Jefferson.
| Lake | From Jefferson | Acres | Launches | Motor rule | Fish on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Branch Reservoir | 23 miles southwest | 403 | 1 | electric motors only | northern pike, largemouth bass, channel catfish |
| Aquilla Lake | 25 miles southwest | 42 | 0 | northern pike, channel catfish, largemouth bass | |
| Mosquito Creek Lake | 25 miles south | 7,212 | 16 | unlimited horsepower | walleye, channel catfish, largemouth bass |
| Punderson Lake | 30 miles southwest | 80 | 1 | electric motors only | steelhead, channel catfish, brown trout |
| La Due Reservoir | 33 miles southwest | 1,480 | 3 | electric motors only | |
| Lake Milton | 46 miles south | 1,695 | 4 | unlimited horsepower | walleye, muskellunge, largemouth bass |
ODNR Division of Wildlife lake outlines (acres), horsepower restrictions, fish hot-spot maps and stocking records; retrieved October 2026.
Creeks and rivers draining Ashtabula County
- Grand Riversteelhead stream (80,000 stocked a year), 1 launch, 31 ODNR access points, USGS gauge
- Conneaut Creeksteelhead stream (50,000 stocked a year), 13 ODNR access points, USGS gauge
- Ashtabula Riversteelhead stream (50,000 stocked a year), 11 ODNR access points
Where steelhead run in Ashtabula County
Each of Grand River, Conneaut Creek and Ashtabula River has a river page with ODNR steelhead numbers from 2021 on.
Live creek and river readings, Ashtabula County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Conneaut Creek At Conneaut Oh | 44 cfs, 1.65 ft gage height | Nov 11 5:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 5:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
ODNR stream access points (Watercraft paddling layer), ODNR steelhead program and walleye-run maps, USGS gauges; retrieved October 2026.
Ramps and shore access, Ashtabula County
- Beach Area Launch on Pymatuning LakePymatuning Lake, gravel ramp, 1 lane, no launch fee, 20 HP limit
- Pymatuning State Park – Birch South LiveryPymatuning Lake, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, 36 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, 20 HP limit
- Pymatuning State Park – Cabin BeachPymatuning Lake, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, 24 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, 20 HP limit
- Pymatuning State Park – CampgroundPymatuning Lake, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, 7 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, 20 HP limit
- Pymatuning State Park – New BowersPymatuning Lake, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, 40 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, 20 HP limit
- Pymatuning State Park – North LiveryPymatuning Lake, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, 20 trailer spaces, no launch fee, 20 HP limit
- Ashtabula Recreational Unlimited launch on Central Basin of Lake ErieCentral Basin of Lake Erie, concrete ramp, 4 lanes, 80 trailer spaces, launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Conneaut City Marina on Central Basin of Lake ErieCentral Basin of Lake Erie, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, 25 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Conneaut Creek Boat Ramp on Central Basin of Lake ErieCentral Basin of Lake Erie, concrete ramp, 1 lane, 10 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Conneaut Port Authority City Ramp on Central Basin of Lake ErieCentral Basin of Lake Erie, concrete ramp, 4 lanes, 78 trailer spaces, launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Geneva State Park Marina on Central Basin of Lake ErieCentral Basin of Lake Erie, concrete ramp, 6 lanes, 146 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Jack's Marine Inc. launch on Central Basin of Lake ErieCentral Basin of Lake Erie, concrete ramp, 1 lane, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Lakeshore Park Ramp on Central Basin of Lake ErieCentral Basin of Lake Erie, concrete ramp, 3 lanes, 53 trailer spaces, launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Redbrook Boat Club on Central Basin of Lake ErieCentral Basin of Lake Erie, concrete ramp, 1 lane, 25 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Conneaut Port Authority Access on Central Basin of Lake ErieCentral Basin of Lake Erie, boat ramp
Ashtabula County piers and bank access (9)
- Broad Street Extension fishing access near Conneautfishing pier, parking, lighthouse, Conneaut Port Authority, Central Basin of Lake Erie
- Conneaut Port Authority Accessfishing pier, parking, restrooms, lighthouse, Conneaut Port Authority, Central Basin of Lake Erie
- Conneaut Township Parkfishing pier, parking, restrooms, lighthouse, City of Conneaut, Central Basin of Lake Erie
- Geneva State Parkfishing pier, parking, restrooms, ODNR Parks and Recreation, Central Basin of Lake Erie
- Geneva Township Parkshore fishing, parking, restrooms, Geneva Township, Central Basin of Lake Erie
- Highland Beachshore fishing, City of Ashtabula, Central Basin of Lake Erie
- Lakeshore Parkfishing pier, parking, restrooms, lighthouse, Ashtabula Township, Central Basin of Lake Erie
- Walnut Beach Parkshore fishing, parking, restrooms, lighthouse, City of Ashtabula, Central Basin of Lake Erie
- Wheeler Creek Road Accessshore fishing, parking, Geneva Township, Central Basin of Lake Erie
ODNR Parks and Watercraft launch facilities, ODNR Division of Wildlife fishing access points and ODNR Office of Coastal Management Lake Erie access; retrieved October 2026.
Where Ashtabula County meets Lake Erie
Anglers on the Central Basin here can use 9 launches, 9 shore sites, 9 marinas and docks and 3 river mouths.
Yellow perch limits change by zone on Lake Erie; the table below prints the rows for the zone this shore falls in.
| Species | Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass | Lake Erie | 5 (singly or in combination); minimum 14 inches | March 1 – April 30, 2026 |
| Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass | Lake Erie | 1 (singly or in combination); minimum 18 inches | May 1 – June 26, 2026 |
| Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass | Lake Erie | 5 (singly or in combination); minimum 14 inches | June 27, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Walleye, Saugeye, & Sauger | Lake Erie | 6 (singly or in combination); minimum 15 inches | March 1 – April 30, 2026 |
| Walleye | Lake Erie | 6; minimum 15 inches | May 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Walleye | Lake Erie | 6; minimum 15 inches | March 1 – April 30, 2027 |
| Striped, Hybrid, & White Bass | Lake Erie | No daily limit | Open year-round |
| Yellow Perch | Lake Erie East Zone | East Zone: 20 | March 1 – April 30, 2026 |
| Yellow Perch | Lake Erie East Zone | EAST ZONE DAILY BAG LIMIT: 20; minimum No minimum size for yellow perch. | May 1, 2026 – April 30, 2027 |
| Trout & Salmon | Lake Erie proper and the entire length of all Lake Erie creeks, rivers, and tributaries | 2 (singly or in combination); minimum 12 inches | March 1 – May 15, 2026 |
| Trout & Salmon | Lake Erie proper and the entire length of all Lake Erie creeks, rivers, and tributaries | 5 (singly or in combination); minimum 12 inches | May 16 – Aug. 31, 2026 |
| Trout & Salmon | Lake Erie proper and the entire length of all Lake Erie creeks, rivers, and tributaries | 2 (singly or in combination); minimum 12 inches | Sept. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Trout & Salmon | Cold Creek upstream of State Route 2 (Erie County) | 5 (singly or in combination) | Open year-round |
ODNR Office of Coastal Management Lake Erie access, marinas and river mouths; Limits as printed in the 2026-27 Ohio Fishing Regulations (ODNR Division of Wildlife Publication 5085, effective March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027) and the ODNR Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch daily limits sheet (May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027); retrieved October 26, 2026.
ODNR stocking and Ohio records, Ashtabula County
Between 1971 and 2021 the hatcheries made 107 recorded stockings into 2 lakes here, most of all 18,443,325 walleye, 35,047 muskellunge, 20,594 channel catfish.
Latest ODNR stockings on file for Ashtabula County
| Year | Water | Species | Number and size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Pymatuning Lake | Walleye | 294,984 fingerlings |
| 2020 | New Lyme Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,197 yearling |
| 2020 | Pymatuning Lake | Walleye | 86,200 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Pymatuning Lake | Walleye | 68,927 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Pymatuning Lake | Walleye | 78,624 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Pymatuning Lake | Walleye | 60,669 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Pymatuning Lake | Walleye | 34,712 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Pymatuning Lake | Walleye | 123,134 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Pymatuning Lake | Walleye | 85,204 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Pymatuning Lake | Walleye | 50,328 fingerlings |
ODNR Division of Wildlife Ohio Fish Stocking Records (public copy of the DataOhio dataset, current as of May 31, 2022; numbers by water, year, species and life stage); ODNR Rainbow Trout Stocking Dates page, spring 2026 releases (trout 10 to 13 inches); Outdoor Writers of Ohio record fish list. Retrieved October 2026.
What anglers may keep in Ashtabula County
For Ashtabula County inland water, start with the statewide rows and then check the site list.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Blue & Flathead Catfish (under 35 inches) | No daily limit | Open year-round |
| Blue & Flathead Catfish (35 inches or larger) | 1 of each (statewide); minimum 35 inches | Open year-round |
| Channel Catfish (under 28 inches) | No daily limit | Open year-round |
| Channel Catfish (28 inches or larger) | 1 (statewide); minimum 28 inches | Open year-round |
| Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass | 5 (singly or in combination); minimum 12 inches | Open year-round |
| Muskellunge | 1 | Open year-round |
| Striped, Hybrid-Striped, & White Bass | 30 (singly or in combination); minimum No more than 4 over 15 inches | Open year-round |
| Trout | 5 (singly or in combination) | Open year-round |
| Walleye, Sauger, & Saugeye | 6 (singly or in combination) | Open year-round |
| Yellow Perch | 30 | Open year-round |
Limits as printed in the 2026-27 Ohio Fishing Regulations (ODNR Division of Wildlife Publication 5085, effective March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027) and the ODNR Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch daily limits sheet (May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027); retrieved October 26, 2026. Site-specific rules as printed in the 2026-27 Ohio Fishing Regulations (ODNR Division of Wildlife Publication 5085, effective March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027) (booklet PDF), page numbers in the booklet.
Club and circuit days in Ashtabula County
Organizers have posted 1 event from county launches, 0 still to come.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 28, 2026 | LEWT DB Marine GOTL Geneva OPEN (2026) | Lake Erie | Lake Erie Walleye Trail (LEWT) |
Organizer schedule and results pages (ODNR publishes no tournament calendar), checked October 2026.
Gear and guides for Ashtabula County trips
Where Ashtabula County anglers shop
- Db Marine & Outdoor Sportsbait and tackle shop, Geneva
- Gateway Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Andover
- Lake Shore Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Ashtabula
- Snug Harbor Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Conneaut
- Brockway Northcoast Marinamarina, Ashtabula
- Geneva Marinamarina, Geneva
- Jack's Marine Incmarina, Ashtabula
- Kister Marinamarina, Ashtabula
- Roaming Rock Marinamarina, Roaming Shores
Guided fishing from Ashtabula County
- P.C. Queen Perch Headboatcharter, Lake Erie, Conneaut, (814) 460-4600
Yellow Pages and chain store listings, charter and guide listings (county of business); retrieved October 2026.
A short hop from Ashtabula County
Town pages inside Ashtabula County
- Ashtabulapop. 17,975
- Conneautpop. 12,318
- Genevapop. 5,924
- Edgewoodpop. 4,185
- Jeffersonpop. 3,226
- North Kingsvillepop. 2,742
- Roaming Shorespop. 1,586
- Orwellpop. 1,533
The counties ringing Ashtabula County
- Lake County25 miles west
- Geauga County36 miles southwest
- Trumbull County41 miles south
- Cuyahoga County51 miles southwest
Piscifun picks for a run at Ashtabula County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Photo ID for the fish of Ashtabula County

Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain

Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain

Photo: Mike Heine, CC BY 4.0

Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Hunting in Ashtabula County
Public hunting land, seasons and processors for Ashtabula County are on State Hunting Spots, our sister site.
The fishing questions Ashtabula County raises
Can a bass boat find a free-to-use ramp in Ashtabula County?
There are 15 public launches, 13 concrete, each listed above.
Which Ashtabula County lake leads by size?
Pymatuning Lake, 16,254 acres by its ODNR outline.
Is Ashtabula County lake water open to any motor?
Yes on 1 lake, 0 of them electric only.
Where do Ashtabula County anglers buy bait?
Start with Db Marine & Outdoor Sports; the list has 9.
Do walleye or bass captains work from Ashtabula County?
There are 1 guide or charter on file.
What town governs Ashtabula County?
Commissioners meet in Jefferson.
Which license covers Ashtabula County water?
The ODNR annual license costs $25.00 resident and $76.96 nonresident, and Ohioans 65 or older pay $10.00. The lake and its tributaries need nothing beyond the regular Ohio license.
What is the nearest county to Ashtabula County?
Closest by center point: Lake County, Geauga County and Trumbull County.
How many events launch from Ashtabula County?
1 event on file from organizer pages, none still ahead.
Which Ashtabula County streams get steelhead?
Grand River, Conneaut Creek and Ashtabula River, stocked through the ODNR steelhead program.
Is Ashtabula County on Lake Erie?
Yes: 9 launches and 9 shore sites on the lake, listed in the access table above.
Make a trip of Ashtabula County this season
Lake pages carry launches, motor rules and stocking.

