Fishing Pymatuning Lake

AKA: Pymatuning Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Pymatuning Lake Fishing Video
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Amenities
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Pymatuning Lake, OH

Popular Fish Species Pymatuning Lake, OH

Walleye Fishing

Big walleye are cruising in Pymatuning Lake, thanks to a plenty of forage in the lake. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower, closer to shore and begin spawning. Rocky and gravel are preferred areas for the spawn. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. Concentrate around structure like points, flats and ledges off the river channels. Walleye have excellent, low-light vision which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water during low light conditions. One of the proven methods for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very rewarding. Use GPS to locate fishing spots you normally fish during other times of the year.

Muskie Fishing

Fishing for muskellunge in Pymatuning Lake could provide a trophy fish on any given cast. Giant musky roam these waters and are aggressive eaters. Muskie fishing can bring some exciting moments to your fishing day, as big muskies are spectacular, and strong fighters. Use a strong rod in medium- to medium-heavy action, with heavy line - 20# or heavier. Because of their sharp teeth, steel leaders are highly recommended. Muskie have a big mouth so use big baits, same baits you would use for bass but in larger sizes. Topwater, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jerkbaits all work well for hungry muskie. The best time of year to chase these big fish is Spring, and then again in Fall as the water temperature starts cooling. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for musky can be very exhilarating. Use GPS to locate spots you normally find muskie during summer.

Crappie Fishing

Pymatuning Lake is home to both black and white crappie. Year-round fishing includes during winter when the lake freezes over. And, ice fishing is often a great way to catch a bunch of hungry of crappie. When fishing for crappie, light line and small hooks are key when fishing live or prepared baits. Crappie jigs are also productive her in a wide variety of colors. With a history of good crappie fishing, Pymatuning Lake continues to deliver good quantities of nice, fat slabs. The lake has healthy populations of both white crappie and black crappie. These two species typically tend to school separately. However, once located around cover, you may find that you catch both species, due to the fact they often share the same cover. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk.

Pymatuning Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, white bass, yellow perch and muskie at Pymatuning Lake in Ohio.

Splitting the Ohio/Pennsylvania state border, Pymatuning Lake is a 14,600-acre recreation reservoir offering a scenic boating and fishing experience. The lake has over 75 miles of shoreline, with less than half of that in Ohio. Several marinas (2 in OH), a dozen boat ramps (6 in OH), picnic areas, camping, bait & tackle shops and plenty of parking await visitors wishing to go fishing. The lake is stocked annually with walleye and muskie, and has healthy populations of yellow perch, bluegill, crappie, catfish, sunfish, white bass, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. The lake is surrounded by Pymatuning State Park and much of the shoreline is accessible for bank fishing.Come winter, once the ice is safe, locals get out their ice fishing gear and pursue black crappie, white crappie, walleye and bluegill.

Primary fish species residing in Pymatuning Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Pymatuning Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

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Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Bay Shore Campground Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, in Bay Shore Campground, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Birches Area Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Pymatuning Lake Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Cabin Launch
Located mid lake, west side, off Marvin Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

New Bower Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Pymatuning Lake Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Padanaram Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Road 272, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Pymatuning State Park Boat Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off S Lake Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.