Pittman Lake, Ohio: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Portage County in Ohio is where Pittman Lake sits. Land around it is rolling bush. It runs to roughly 61 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. The edge runs 1.5 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. Nearest town is Ravenna, 3.8 miles off. The nearest city of size is Akron, 16 miles away. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Pittman Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Records held for Portage County cover bluegill, redfin pickerel, pumpkinseed, warmouth and green sunfish. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Pittman Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 71°F; the cold one sits at 24°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late March. Averages place the thaw at late March and the freeze at late December. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Pittman Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. A campsite lies 110 yards away for anyone staying over. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. The nearest alternative is Lake George, 2.7 miles out. Signs at Pittman Lake carry more weight than any list.