Pine Lake Fishing Guide, Mahoning County, Ohio

• Overview

  Pine Lake sits in Mahoning County, out in Ohio. The surface lies 1,093 feet up. Roughly 452 acres of surface: treat each bay as a water in its own right. The edge covers about 4.5 miles, enough to hold several distinct areas. It ranks high for size among our Mahoning County listings. Columbiana at 3.4 miles is the nearest place to stop. New Waterford lies 5.2 miles off, New Middletown another 5.3 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Pine Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Records held for Mahoning County cover fantail darter, johnny darter and rainbow darter. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Pine Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 25°F to 71°F. The year gives four workable seasons without severe ends. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Plan any trip to Pine Lake around it. The hour either side of first light is rarely wasted.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. For the panfish, a small hook, a float and a piece of worm outfish everything fancy. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. The nearest alternative is Beaver Lake, 2.5 miles out. The position on Pine Lake is worth confirming on the day.