Lake Copeland, Ohio: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Lake Copeland belongs to Columbiana County, Ohio. The land about it is open valley. It covers about 20 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. For supplies, Leetonia is 1.6 miles out. It is 43 miles to Akron, the nearest city. Within a short run: Big Rock Lake just 1.3 miles, Arrowhead Lake lies 3.4 miles on, Als Lake just 3.4 miles, Smith Pond lies 4.1 miles on and Peterson Pond just 5.2 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Lake Copeland

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. County-wide records name fantail darter, rainbow darter, greenside darter and banded darter. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Lake Copeland a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 71°F, with January the cold end at about 25°F. Seasons here are moderate, and the fishing runs most of the year. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. It sets the rhythm of the year at Lake Copeland.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. For the panfish, a small hook, a float and a piece of worm outfish everything fancy. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Big Rock Lake sits 1.3 miles off and takes the overflow. Treat Lake Copeland as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.