Collier Lake near Poland: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Collier Lake is set in Mahoning County, Ohio. It sits at 1,102 feet above sea level. At 11 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Poland is the closest place, 2.4 miles off. For a city, Akron is 49 miles off. Alternatives close at hand: Burgess Lake out at 0.6 miles, Evans Lake after 2.4 miles, Lake Hamilton out at 2.7 miles, Mahoning Duck Hunters Club Pond after 5.3 miles and Newport Lake out at 6.2 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Collier Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. County-wide records name fantail darter, johnny darter, rainbow darter, bluegill and greenside darter. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Collier Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 25°F in January and 71°F in July. Spring and autumn are the strongest, but nothing is truly closed. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. It holds true on Collier Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. The nearest mapped parking is half a mile away, so the last stretch is on foot. Bluegill and other panfish take small jigs or worms under a float near any cover. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. If the gate is shut, Burgess Lake at 0.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Ask locally about Collier Lake if anything is unclear.