Anglers may access Mosquito Lake from routes 5, 46, 305 or Route 88, which bisects the lake’s northern end. Most of the lake’s major facilities are off routes 5 or 305 at the lake’s southern tip. Boats are available for rent off Route 88.

Burk’s next pick is Highlandtown Lake.

“There are not as many crappies there,” he said. “But the fish run bigger. Some anglers take crappies 16 to 17 inches long there, but it will require some searching.”

With just 170 acres of fishing water, Highlandtown Lake is small enough for persistent crappie anglers to search for its schools of big slabs.

The lake lies in Columbiana County off state Route 39, just eight miles west of Wellsville. The lake abounds with fishing structure including trees, stumps and fallen timber. For anglers who enjoy shore-fishing, there are parking lots on both the northern and southern ends. The northern end of the lake also has a marina that can be reached off Osbourne Road.

As a third pick, Burk threw in an unusual choice: Pymatuning Lake, always a good lake for crappies. But Burk had the inside scoop on what anglers may expect from Pymatuning Lake this spring.

“Most of Pymatuning Lake is in Pennsylvania,” he noted. “And the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has been catching a huge number of 2003 and 2004 year-class fish in their surveys. Those fish will be good-sized and in good numbers this spring.”

At 14,650 acres, Pymatuning Lake offers a large number of bays, points and islands. With most of the lake in Pennsylvania, its Ohio portion lies in Ashtabula County. The Ohio shore may be reached off U.S. Route 322 and Route 85. Both routes will give the angler access to Pymatuning Lake Road, which parallels the lake’s northern shore and grants access to the lake’s boat ramps, cabins and marinas.

Crappie anglers wishing to give District Three a try and needing more information can contact the district office at (330) 644-2293. Anglers may also write the office at 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron, OH 44319.

DISTRICT FOUR
Ohio Division of Wildlife fisheries biologist Tim Parrett of District Four chose Seneca Lake as his district’s best pick.

“The lake has a 9-inch minimum size,” Parrett said, “which has led to the fish there being on the bigger side. We have been installing fishing structures on Seneca Lake for years, and anglers wishing a map of them should contact our office.”

Seneca Lake is another larger lake with some 3,509 acres of fishing water. Resting in Guernsey and Noble counties, the lake offers most of the amenities with a marina, boat ramps, camping areas and cabins along its northern and western ends.

Seneca Lake does suffer some summer recreational use like water-skiing and swimming, which usually peak later in the year when the water is warmer.

Crappie anglers can find Seneca Lake most easily off state Route 313, which travels along the lake’s entire eastern and northern shores. You can also reach the lake from the west along state Route 574.

Parrett’s second pick for top crappie fishing in District Four is Tycoon Lake.