Western Reserve Lake in Mahoning County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Western Reserve Lake lies in Mahoning County, Ohio. It stands 1,076 feet above sea level. It covers about 5 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Most waters listed here for Mahoning County are larger. For a base, Canfield sits 5.3 miles out. Salem is 6.2 miles away, with Austintown at 8.9 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Western Reserve Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Fish documented in Mahoning County include fantail darter, johnny darter, rainbow darter, bluegill and greenside darter. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Western Reserve Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 71°F and January near 25°F. Temperature moves within a narrow band, and so does the fishing. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Western Reserve Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Bluegill and other panfish take small jigs or worms under a float near any cover. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. The nearest alternative is Lower Diehl Lake, 1.6 miles out. What applies at Western Reserve Lake may have changed since it was mapped.