
There are few pastimes as simple, serene, and satisfying as fishing. Whether catching for sport or for feeding your friends and family, fishing is a fantastic outdoor activity that we can't get enough of. When we're looking to get in touch with nature, we grab our tackle boxes and head out to these great fishing holes around Northeast Ohio.
9601 Headlands Rd., Mentor, OH 44060
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Why not spend the afternoon fishing on the beach? As the longest natural beach in the Buckeye State, Headlands Beach State Park is a wonderful place for shore fishing. Lake Erie is full of fun fish to angle for, including coho salmon, bluegill, rock bass, sucker, and bullhead. Pack a swimsuit in your tacklebox so you can swim and sunbathe after you've reeled in a few crappie and trout.
5570 Esworthy Rd., Ravenna, OH 44266
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Located in Portage County, West Branch State Park features a 2,300-acre lake for both on- and off-water fishing. Whether you love relaxing on the boat with a line in the water or wandering a bank to find hidden fishing holes, West Branch State Park offers enough variety that you'll never tire of. With fishing gear and supplies available at the West Branch Marina, you can bring a few first-time anglers out with you and show them the ropes.
2459 Canfield Rd., Akron, OH 44312
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A hidden gem right outside of Akron, Springfield Lake Park is a gorgeous, well-maintained park that offers an abundance of shoreline. A popular park for family gatherings, we love taking the kids out to Springfield Lake for a day of fun. While you catch channel catfish, walleye, and largemouth bass, your kids can enjoy playing on the jungle gym. Keep in mind that this park can get busy throughout the summer months, so be sure to come early if you want to find a peaceful, secluded spot to cast a line.
1523 Catawba Ave., Put-in-Bay, OH 43456
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Who says you can't turn a fishing trip into a vacation? When we want to get away from it all (without going too far from home, that is) we stay-put in Put-in-Bay. This lovely village on South Bass Island in Lake Erie is an exceptional place to spend a long weekend for relaxation, recreation, and reeling in a few fish. Grab your rod and stroll down to South Bass Island State Park and do a little fishing in the lake. This portion of the lake has an abundance of fish species to hook, including steelhead trout, yellow perch, walleye, and smallmouth bass.
6100 Pymatuning Lake Rd., Andover, OH 44003
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All anglers know that you don't need to rush to natural waterways to find a good fishing hole. Pymatuning State Park features the manmade Pymatuning Reservoir that offers the same level of quality fishing you'd find in other lakes around Ohio. Split across the Pennsylvania state border, fishing either side of the Pymatuning Lake will allow you to reel in bluegill, largemouth bass, black crappie, and smallmouth bass.
9500 Lakeview Rd., Mineral City, OH 44656
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If you're looking for a cozy campsite for a weekend of fishing, Atwood Lake Park is calling your name. Grab the wife, the kids, and even the family dog so that you can all enjoy the many amenities of this family-friendly park, including the beach, basketball center, hiking trails, and volleyball court. For fishing, you can launch your boat from their courtesy dock or sit and fish off the pier.
5031 Manchester Rd., Akron, OH 44319
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A boat and a fishing pole are all you need for unlimited angling in Portage Lakes State Park. With the freedom to explore eight spectacular lakes, Portage Lakes State Park offers limitless opportunities to fish without venturing too far from downtown Akron. While you can head to any lake and cast a line, we encourage all anglers to do a little research before venturing out. For instance, Turkeyfoot Lake is a great place to snag both largemouth bass and sunfish, and while neighboring West Reservoir is also great for largemouth bass, the crappie numbers are quite low. We suggest looking at stock levels of fish in all of the lakes and planning your trip according to which fish you'd like to reel in.
18416 Steubenville Pike, Salineville, OH 43945
Hunting and fishing go together like peanut butter and jelly, and there's no better place to do both than in the Highlandtown Wildlife Area. An expanse of 2,265-acres awaits outdoor enthusiasts who help keep the great outdoors thriving by assisting with population control. The Highlandtown Wildlife Area Pond is best to fish in the late afternoon either from the banks or on the water. The bass and crappie in the pond can get quite large but do remember that this is a popular hunting area for locals and visitors alike. For a quieter trip, make sure you try to avoid the crowds by going in the off-hours.
301 Huntington Beach Dr., Fairport Harbor, OH 44077
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The vast Lake Erie has too many great fishing spots to list, but we thought we'd leave you with just one more before you grab your reels and head out. Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park features the T-shaped Harbor View Boardwalk offering great views of Lake Erie and leads you to the lighthouse, which is where locals say the best fishing holes are located. Along with a fishing pier, there are also fishing charters available. If you've never fished but would love to give it a go, chartering your own private fishing boat for a few hours on Lake Erie will surely get you hooked!
Where's your favorite fishing spot around Northeast Ohio? Drop us a line in the comments and tell us which fishing holes we should check out next!