Paw Paw Lake Fishing near South Russell, Ohio

• Overview

  Geauga County in Ohio is where Paw Paw Lake sits. The bank gives way to pine and birch. Surface area runs to about 13 acres — small enough to read in one session. South Russell lies 2.5 miles from the water. Bainbridge is 3.5 miles away, with Chagrin Falls at 3.5 miles. The boundary is near enough that local access rules are worth double-checking.

• Where to Fish on Paw Paw Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. County-wide records name rainbow darter, redfin pickerel, bluegill and johnny darter. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. At Paw Paw Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 24°F to 70°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. After late March the shallows warm and the fish move up. Open water usually runs from late March until about late December. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Paw Paw Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Failing this one, try Lake Louise, 0.4 miles away. None of that is settled for Paw Paw Lake in what we hold.