9 freshwater spots within 75 minutes of Cleveland, each with a full TripsQuick page.
The closest by road is Lake Erie, 2 minutes away.
Lakes near Cleveland
1. Lake Erie
Lake Erie is a 2-minute drive from downtown Cleveland. Launch at Cleveland Lakefront - Edgewater Park Ramp, the public ramp on Lake Erie closest to downtown (≈ 1.8 mi). Public access on Lake Erie: 54 boat ramps. Surveyed depths reach 207 ft. Recorded here: White Perch, Orangespotted Sunfish, Western Mosquitofish, and Goldfish.
2. Portage Lakes
Portage Lakes is a 50-minute drive from downtown Cleveland. Launch at Portage Lakes State Park - North Reservoir, the public ramp on Portage Lakes closest to downtown (≈ 35.5 mi). Public access on Portage Lakes: 3 boat ramps. Surveyed depths reach 34 ft. Recorded here: Spottail Shiner, Common Carp, Redear, and Largemouth Bass.
3. Rex Lake
Rex Lake is a 56-minute drive from downtown Cleveland. Public access on Rex Lake: 2 boat ramps. Surveyed depths reach 61 ft. Recorded here: Common Carp, Redear, Largemouth Bass, and Channel Catfish.
4. Springfield Lake
Springfield Lake is a 54-minute drive from downtown Cleveland. Launch at Springfield Lake - Springfield Ramp, the public ramp on Springfield Lake closest to downtown (≈ 34.6 mi). Public access on Springfield Lake: 2 boat ramps. Surveyed depths reach 30 ft. Recorded here: Common Carp, Channel Catfish, Walleye, and Largemouth Bass.
5. Chippewa Lake
Chippewa Lake is a 50-minute drive from downtown Cleveland. Surveyed depths reach 25 ft. Recorded here: White Perch, Goldfish, Grass Carp, and Common Carp.
Reservoirs near Cleveland
6. LaDue Reservoir
LaDue Reservoir is a 41-minute drive from downtown Cleveland. Launch at Auburn Launch Ramp, the public ramp on LaDue Reservoir closest to downtown (≈ 24.9 mi). Public access on LaDue Reservoir: 3 boat ramps. Surveyed depths reach 25 ft. Recorded here: Channel Catfish, White Perch, Walleye, and Redear.
7. Nimisila Reservoir
Nimisila Reservoir is a 57-minute drive from downtown Cleveland. Launch at Portage Lakes State Park - C 1, the public ramp on Nimisila Reservoir closest to downtown (≈ 38.9 mi). Public access on Nimisila Reservoir: 4 boat ramps. Surveyed depths reach 32 ft. Recorded here: Sauger, Common Carp, Warmouth, and Bluegill.
8. Michael J Kirwan Reservoir
Michael J Kirwan Reservoir is a 59-minute drive from downtown Cleveland. Launch at West Branch State Park - Fishermans Lot, the public ramp on Michael J Kirwan Reservoir closest to downtown (≈ 36.1 mi). Public access on Michael J Kirwan Reservoir: 4 boat ramps. Surveyed depths reach 55 ft. Recorded here: Sauger, White Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Muskellunge.
9. Mogadore Reservoir
Mogadore Reservoir is a 64-minute drive from downtown Cleveland. Launch at Ticknor Road Boat Ramp, the public ramp on Mogadore Reservoir closest to downtown (≈ 34.7 mi). Public access on Mogadore Reservoir: 3 boat ramps. Surveyed depths reach 25 ft. Recorded here: Muskellunge, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and Warmouth.
When the fish bite here
By our bite calendar, November is a slow month around Cleveland for the fish recorded at these stops — the bars on each card show when each one picks up.
FreshwaterSlowChannel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Ictaluridae
48 in50 lb20 yr348 watersGame fish
FreshwaterSlowLargemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Centrarchidae
30 in22 lb16 yr935 watersGame fish
FreshwaterSlowCommon Carp
Cyprinus carpio
Cyprinidae
48 in80 lb20 yr449 waters
FreshwaterSlowWalleye
Sander vitreus
Percidae
30 in18 lb10 yr758 watersGame fish
FreshwaterSlowMuskellunge
Esox masquinongy
Esocidae
60 in80 lb20 yr144 watersGame fish
FreshwaterSlowNorthern Pike
Esox lucius
Esocidae
60 in50 lb10 yr657 watersGame fish
