Fishing in Mahoning County, Ohio
Seat: Youngstown.
- 2lake pages
- 4launches
- 1river pages
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Angling across Mahoning County at a glance
With 228,614 residents counted in 2020, Mahoning County is governed from Youngstown. Its surface splits into 411 square miles of land and 13.7 of water in Census figures.
The county counts 2 lake pages and 5,039 acres of ODNR-mapped water, Berlin Lake the largest. Horsepower notes apply on 2 county lakes, and 0 allow electric motors only. 2 lakes here hold 45 ODNR fish attractors between them. ODNR and local operators run 4 public launches here, 4 with a concrete lane, and the lots that report spaces hold 117 car-and-trailer rigs.
Census 2020 population and 2023 Gazetteer areas; ODNR Division of Wildlife lake outlines, horsepower and attractor layers, ODNR launch list; retrieved October 2026.
Pins for every launch and lake page in Mahoning County
ODNR launch and fishing-access points, ODNR lake outlines (representative points) and ODNR stream access points. Checked October 2026.
Mahoning County reservoirs and lakes by acreage
| Lake | Acres | Launches | Motor rule | Fish on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin Lake | 3,344 | 5 | unlimited horsepower | catfish, crappie, largemouth bass |
| Lake Milton | 1,695 | 4 | unlimited horsepower | walleye, muskellunge, largemouth bass |
Lake pages just over the Mahoning County line, ranked by distance from Youngstown.
| Lake | From Youngstown | Acres | Launches | Motor rule | Fish on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mosquito Creek Lake | 20 miles north | 7,212 | 16 | unlimited horsepower | walleye, channel catfish, largemouth bass |
| Guilford Lake | 24 miles southwest | 361 | 4 | 10 HP limit | channel catfish, largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass |
| Deer Creek Reservoir | 26 miles west | 334 | 1 | Electric Only, Unlimited | channel catfish, largemouth bass, walleye |
| Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir | 27 miles west | 2,738 | 5 | unlimited horsepower | |
| Dale Walborn Reservoir | 29 miles west | 657 | 1 | 6 HP limit | channel catfish, walleye, largemouth bass |
| Highlandtown Lake | 32 miles south | 188 | 2 | electric motors only | channel catfish, northern pike, largemouth bass |
ODNR Division of Wildlife lake outlines (acres), horsepower restrictions, fish hot-spot maps and stocking records; retrieved October 2026.
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- Mahoning River34 ODNR access points, USGS gauge
Current USGS numbers across Mahoning County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Mahoning River At Lowellville Oh | 566 cfs, 2.84 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:00 pm |
| Mahoning River Above West Ave At Youngstown Oh | 340 cfs, 3.33 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:15 pm |
| Mahoning River At Pricetown Oh | 90 cfs, 2.05 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:00 pm |
| Mahoning River Bl Berlin Dam Nr Berlin Center Oh | 33 cfs, 1.58 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:15 pm |
| Crab Creek At Youngstown Oh | 2 cfs, 4.55 ft gage height | Sep 30 11:00 pm Not updated since Sep 30, 2000. |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 7:33 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.
Where Mahoning County water is reachable
- Lake Milton Boat ClubLake Milton, concrete ramp, 1 lane, courtesy dock, launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Lake Milton State Park – Miller LandingLake Milton, concrete ramp, 3 lanes, 31 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Lake Milton State Park – Pointview RampLake Milton, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, 45 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
- Lake Milton State Park – Robinson Point Launch RampLake Milton, concrete ramp, 2 lanes, 41 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower
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.
Ohio records and ODNR plants for Mahoning County
211 ODNR stocking entries cover 1 lake in the county between 1970 and 2022, chiefly 17,865,096 walleye, 143,436 channel catfish, 43,815 smallmouth bass, 42,992 muskellunge.
The newest Mahoning County stocking rows
| Year | Water | Species | Number and size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Lake Milton | Walleye | 340,517 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Lake Milton | Muskellunge | 53 adv. fingerlings |
| 2021 | Lake Milton | Muskellunge | 506 adv. fingerlings |
| 2021 | Lake Milton | Muskellunge | 478 adv. fingerlings |
| 2021 | Lake Milton | Walleye | 32,030 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Lake Milton | Walleye | 82,841 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Lake Milton | Walleye | 48,805 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Lake Milton | Walleye | 36,649 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Lake Milton | Walleye | 70,296 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Lake Milton | Muskellunge | 152 adv. fingerlings |
Mahoning County catches in the Ohio record list
| Species | Weight | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warmouth Sunfish | 1.32 lb | Mahoning County farm pond | 2009 |
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.
Ohio limits that govern Mahoning County
Outside any listed exception, Mahoning County waters use the statewide inland table.
| 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.
Organized fishing events in Mahoning County
This county appears in 1 organizer listings, 0 yet to be fished.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 12, 2026 | Better Half Tour September Swing (2026) | Lake Milton | Better Half Tour |
Organizer schedule and results pages (ODNR publishes no tournament calendar), checked October 2026.
Where to buy bait and book a captain in Mahoning County
Mahoning County bait, tackle and dock slips
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, 1280 Doral Drbait and tackle shop, Youngstown
- Glenn's Archery & Tackle, 15685 Mahoning Avebait and tackle shop, Diamond
- Miller Rod & Gunbait and tackle shop, Youngstown
- North Coast Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Lake Milton
- Red's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Columbiana
- Runzo's Outdoor Sportsbait and tackle shop, Beloit
- Dick's Sporting Goods Boardmansporting goods store, Boardman
Yellow Pages and chain store listings, charter and guide listings (county of business); retrieved October 2026.
Near Mahoning County
Mahoning County communities to base a trip from
- Youngstownpop. 60,068
- Austintownpop. 29,594
- Strutherspop. 10,063
- Campbellpop. 7,852
- Canfieldpop. 7,699
- Sebringpop. 4,191
- Polandpop. 2,463
- New Middletownpop. 1,507
- Craig Beachpop. 1,076
Counties a short drive from Mahoning County
- Columbiana County17 miles south
- Trumbull County20 miles north
- Portage County25 miles northwest
- Stark County34 miles southwest
Piscifun reels to stow for Mahoning County
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Shorelines and reservoirs by Mahoning County, photographed
Photo: Ll1324, CC0 1.0
Photo: Mike Steele, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Tim Kiser, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Eric Haake, CC BY 2.0
Angling around Mahoning County, in questions
Where can a trailered boat go in around Mahoning County?
Count 4 public launches, of which 4 are concrete.
Which reservoir in Mahoning County is the big one?
Berlin Lake, 3,344 acres by its ODNR outline.
Are there motor rules on Mahoning County lakes?
Motor limits apply at 2 lakes, 0 electric-only.
Which Mahoning County counters stock hooks, line and lures?
7 listings, among them Academy Sports + Outdoors.
How many guides are based in Mahoning County?
None list the county; see the guides page.
Which Ohio community holds the Mahoning County courthouse?
It is Youngstown.
How much is an Ohio license for Mahoning County?
From the 16th birthday on, Ohio charges $25.00 (resident), $76.96 (nonresident) or $10.00 (resident senior) for a year of fishing.
Where else is close to Mahoning County?
Try Columbiana County, Trumbull County and Portage County.
Which tournament comes next in Mahoning County?
1 event on file from organizer pages, none still ahead.
Give a morning to Mahoning County lakes
River pages list access points and gauges.