Fishing near Youngstown, Ohio
Mahoning County, population 60,068.
- 18 milesto nearest lake
- 0launches nearby
Pick for steelheadPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: Dblcut3, CC BY-SA 4.0
Angling from a Youngstown base
Youngstown is a city in Mahoning County; the 2020 Census counted 60,068 residents. No lake page lies closer than Lake Milton, 18 miles toward the west. The largest lake listed below is Mosquito Creek Lake at 7,212 acres.
Grand River carries ODNR steelhead about 29 miles away.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Youngstown; distances are straight lines.
For the steelhead herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Lakes within reach of Youngstown
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | Motor rule | Fish on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Milton | 18 miles west | 1,695 | 4 | unlimited horsepower | walleye, muskellunge, largemouth bass |
| Mosquito Creek Lake | 20 miles north | 7,212 | 16 | unlimited horsepower | walleye, channel catfish, largemouth bass |
| Berlin Lake | 22 miles west | 3,344 | 5 | unlimited horsepower | catfish, crappie, largemouth bass |
| Guilford Lake | 24 miles southwest | 361 | 4 | 10 HP limit | channel catfish, largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass |
Lake Milton (unlimited horsepower) is the nearest of 4 lakes here with an ODNR motor limit.
ODNR Division of Wildlife lake outlines, horsepower restrictions, fish hot-spot maps and stocking records; retrieved October 2026.
Creeks to wade near Youngstown
- Grand River29 miles, steelhead stream (80,000 stocked a year), 1 launch, 31 ODNR access points, USGS gauge
- Cuyahoga River36 miles, steelhead stream (60,000 stocked a year), 1 launch, 39 ODNR access points, USGS gauge
USGS gauges near Youngstown
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Crab Creek At Youngstown Oh | 2 cfs, 4.11 ft gage height | Sep 30 11:00 pm Not updated since Sep 30, 2000. |
| Mahoning River Above West Ave At Youngstown Oh | 307 cfs, 3.33 ft gage height | Oct 27 6:15 pm |
| Mahoning River At Lowellville Oh | 352 cfs, 2.64 ft gage height | Oct 27 6:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 27, 2026 6:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
ODNR stream access points, steelhead program and walleye-run maps; USGS gauges. Retrieved October 2026.
Youngstown fishing spots, plotted
Launch sites a longer tow from Youngstown
- Mosquito Creek – Corps of Engineers Ramp (RTE 305)Mosquito Creek Lake, 15 miles north
- Public launch on Mosquito Creek Lake near Cortland (south)Mosquito Creek Lake, 15 miles north
- Mosquito Lake State Park – Main Park Ramp on Mosquito Creek LakeMosquito Creek Lake, 16 miles northwest
- Public launch on Mosquito Creek Lake near Cortland (south)Mosquito Creek Lake, 16 miles north
- Public launch on Mosquito Creek Lake near Cortland (south)Mosquito Creek Lake, 16 miles northwest
ODNR launch facilities, ODNR fishing access points and ODNR Office of Coastal Management Lake Erie access; retrieved October 2026.
Stocking records for lakes by Youngstown
Years of ODNR plants near Youngstown
| Lake | Distance | Years on file | Main species |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Milton | 18 miles | 1970 to 2022 | walleye, channel catfish, smallmouth bass |
| Mosquito Creek Lake | 20 miles | 1970 to 2022 | walleye, channel catfish, largemouth bass |
ODNR Rainbow Trout Stocking Dates page, spring 2026 releases (trout 10 to 13 inches); 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).
Supplies and guides close to Youngstown
Nearest bait and tackle to Youngstown
- Miller Rod & Gunbait and tackle shop, Youngstown, 4 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, 1280 Doral Drbait and tackle shop, Youngstown, 5 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Boardmansporting goods store, Boardman, 5 miles
- Bass Pro Shops Nilessporting goods store, Niles, 9 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Nilessporting goods store, Niles, 10 miles
- Red's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Columbiana, 13 miles
Yellow Pages and chain store listings, charter and guide listings; retrieved October 2026.
Organized fishing close to Youngstown
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 12, 2026 | Better Half Tour September Swing (2026) | Lake Milton | Better Half Tour |
| May 9, 2026 | OBF Junior Championship (2026) | Mosquito Lake | Ohio Bass Federation (TBF) |
| May 2, 2026 | Better Half Tour Spring Fling (2026) | Mosquito Lake | Better Half Tour |
Organizer schedule and results pages for events in Mahoning County or within 20 miles, checked October 2026.
Keeper rules for anglers in Youngstown
Ohio residents buy a $25.00 annual license, out-of-state anglers $76.96, and seniors living in Ohio $10.00; the rule starts at 16.
| 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. Lake pages print any site-specific entry.
Close by Youngstown
Town pages around Youngstown
- Campbell3 miles
- Struthers4 miles
- Austintown5 miles
- Girard5 miles
- Poland5 miles
The county page for Youngstown
- Mahoning Countyseat: Youngstown
Reels and line from Piscifun for Youngstown
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Fish pictures for a trip to Youngstown
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Mike Heine, CC BY 4.0
Rod-and-reel trips leaving from Youngstown, explained
Which ODNR-mapped lake sits closest to Youngstown?
Lake Milton, 18 miles west.
What launch do Youngstown trailer boaters reach first?
Nothing within 12 miles.
Where can Youngstown anglers fish without a boat?
The nearest mapped shore site is past 15 miles.
Which Buckeye bait counter is the quickest stop from Youngstown?
Miller Rod & Gun, 4 miles from town.
Which county page includes Youngstown?
It lies in Mahoning County.
Which Ohio license suits a weekend in Youngstown?
Short stays: $27.04 for one day, $52.00 for three; the year is $76.96.
What large reservoir sits near Youngstown?
Mosquito Creek Lake, 7,212 acres, 20 miles away.
What other towns are near Youngstown?
Nearby towns are Campbell (3 miles), Struthers (4 miles) and Austintown (5 miles).
Where is steelhead fishing near Youngstown?
Grand River, 29 miles away; ODNR stocks it through the steelhead program.
Base an Ohio fishing trip in Youngstown
Lake pages show launches, motor rules and stocking.