Mogadore Reservoir has been a go-to fishing spot for my family for over a decade now. If you’re a Northeast Ohioan, it is a great place to take the family fishing and get out on a small boat. With easy access, calm waters, and low traffic Mogadore is a great place for gaining more experience or having an easy day of fishing. In our guide we’ll give you everything you need to enjoy a day at one of our favorite fishing spots.
Let’s get to it:
Location
Mogadore Reservoir is located in southwestern Portage County, 3 miles east of Akron and 6 miles south of Kent. From downtown Kent, taking State Route 43 South will lead you right to the main dock at the reservoir.
History
The reservoir was created in 1939 to provide untreated water to the industries downstream, and offer flood protection for the Little Cuyahoga River Valley. Today, it is owned and operated by the City of Akron.
Mogadore Reservoir Stats
- Total Water Acreage: 1104 acres of fishing water
- Total Shoreline: 26.8 miles of shore
- Deepest Point: 24 ft in the western portion of the reservoir
- Number of Docks: 5 boat ramps
- Bait and Tackle Shops Nearby: 1
- Mogadore Bait and Tackle- 780 Randolph Rd Mogadore, OH 44260. 4 minute drive (2 miles) from the Mogadore Boathouse and Marina
Loading and Unloading
The ease of loading and unloading a boat on Mogadore is relatively simple. They have five boat ramps scattered around the reservoir, the largest being the Mogadore Boathouse and Marina on SR 43. Dropping in here will give you access to the larger and deeper parts of the reservoir, whereas using the docks on the eastern part will allow you to fish the shallow waters (around 3-6 feet).
We normally drop in at the main dock or use the one on Congress Lake Rd. as this one has a large gravel lot for parking and maneuvering. A perk of coming to Mogadore is that it is rarely busy, so there is never really a time where you’ll need to wait in line to drop your boat in the water. Overall, the loading and unloading is very easy at Mogadore.
Mogadore reservoir Need To Know
Like all fishing spots, there are a few regulations that need to be followed while on Mogadore Reservoir. Luckily, there are only a few:
- Boats must be less than 18 feet and have an electric motor.
- No external fuel tanks are allowed.
** This is not legal advice, please consult the ODNR website before fishing on Mogadore to see the current 2021-2022 regulations on boats and fishing in Ohio.
What To Expect
My favorite part about fishing on Mogadore Reservoir is that it’s quiet. You can expect to have a very quiet day of fishing here. The foot and boat traffic is slow, but you can expect the main ramp at the Marina and the dock on Congress Lake to be the busiest spots (even so, you should not have to wait to unload your boat). On the water, the western half normally sees more boats than the eastern portion; however, the west side is also the larger part. So there will always be plenty of room to find a good spot to fish.
If you don’t want to use a boat, there are also spots to fish from the shore. The marina dock is the most popular by far. However, most people fish from here so I prefer to use one of several paths to get me to the shoreline. Just remember to pick up your trash and belongings when you leave.
** Please do not fish from the bridges that cross the reservoir, as there are multiple signs that prohibit this. People don’t always drive safely down these roads, so for your safety try to fish from the docks or shoreline.
There is one downside to using a boat on Mogadore. The reservoir is divided into sections by bridges, which prevents boats from accessing the entire reservoir. To reach other sections, anglers have to pull the boat out and drop from another ramp. This is why we usually choose a section and stick to it for the day.
Types Of Fish At Mogadore
Anglers can catch several types of sport fish at Mogadore. You have the possibility of catching largemouth bass, redear sunfish, bluegill, black and white crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, and brown bullhead. Channel catfish are stocked during the odd-numbered years by the Division of Wildlife. Right now, the deep freezer contains a few pounds of bluegill we’ve caught on the past several visits.
Ice Fishing on Mogadore Reservoir
Mogadore is also a fun place to get on the ice. During the winter months, you will see several ice shanties out there. When the ice is thick enough, Mogadore provides easy access to get your supplies out there. You should expect most of your catches to be bluegill, crappie and perch.
Extras
For those that are looking for something other than fishing, Mogadore offers its fair number of things to do. The water is almost always calm, so you will see a good amount of recreational kayakers on the reservoir. In the summertime, the Congress Lake Rd. dock is a great spot to see the sunset over the western portion of the reservoir. And if you’re into things like hiking, the Buckeye Hiking Trail Mogadore Section runs throughout the reservoir land so it’s easy to pick up for a day hike.
For those anglers that need something to eat after a day of fishing in the summer, Frank’s Drive In (3266 OH-43, Mogadore, OH 44260) offers really good ice cream and fried food. It’s a great place for an afternoon/evening snack.
Final Thoughts
Mogadore Reservoir is one of our go-to fishing spots at Black Compass for it’s quiet environment, easy access, and good fishing. Convenience for us is a major point as well but even if you’re farther away, we highly recommend checking it out. It’s a great place for first time anglers, small boats, kayak fishing, dock fishing, and bringing the kids along. Make sure to visit if you haven’t been on Mogadore yet.
What do you think? For those of you that have been to Mogadore, let me know if I’ve missed anything important. And those that venture to Mogadore, leave me a comment about your experience!