Lake Milton rates high on area anglers' list

Lake Milton is the nonagenarian of local reservoirs, with a long and interesting history that includes more than its fair share of fun and games.
Fortunately for anglers, much of that fun has related to fishing. And for those whose fishing passion is dedicated to the pursuit of monster fish with big teeth, Milton has one of Ohio's best muskie populations.
The dam across the Mahoning River that was completed in 1913 flooded 1,640 acres of woods, fields and stream beds. The result is the reservoir we have known for the past 93 years as Lake Milton.
Over those years, the lake has been a recreational getaway for people from all over Northeast Ohio who flocked to enjoy their lakeside retreats, the gone-but-not-forgotten Craig Beach Amusement Park, a dance hall and other nighttime entertainment. Today, Lake Milton includes a fine state park and the shoreline is dotted with expansive homes that have replaced the little weekend cottages.
But all of that is gingerbread for muskie maniacs. The lake is brimming with big game, and the numbers shared last week by Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife prove it.
Catch data through Oct. 31 shows Milton yielded at least 236 muskies to anglers. That number is based on scale samples and other reports filed by successful anglers. It's certain that many other muskie catches went unreported.
Where it ranks
Based on the ODNR numbers, Milton ranks second among Ohio muskie waters. The top-producing water was 1,045-acre Leesville Lake, in Carroll County, where 476 catches were reported. Nearby West Branch Reservoir was tied with Salt Fork Lake with 72 muskies. Fifteen muskie catches were reported at Berlin Reservoir.
Milton was drained in 1986 for dam repairs and refilled in 1988. The Division of Wildlife stocked muskies that grew fat fast on the abundant forage base. The newly flooded terrestrial vegetation and locust saplings provided excellent cover to support the food chain. Aquatic vegetation returned soon after the waters rose, and continues to flourish in much of Milton today.
Phil Hillman, Division of Wildlife District Three fish management supervisor, said Leesville and Milton have good habitat and are full of muskies' favorite food, gizzard shad. "Most of our lakes have abundant shad biomass to the tune of 100 or 200 pounds per acre," he said.
Milton is stocked with muskies, but only when surplus stocks of 9- to 10-inch fingerlings are available. Leesville, meanwhile, is stocked annually at a rate of one muskie per acre.
"I would suggest that it would be difficult to find a more productive water body in the country in terms of muskies reported [by volunteer reports through the Ohio Huskie Muskie Club]," Hillman said.
He also pointed out that while many anglers still associate West Branch with tiger muskies (produced by crossing muskies with northern pike), Ohio hasn't stocked the hybrids since 1984.
"Tiger muskies were not real swift in that they would sit on the surface for long periods of time and provide a tempting target for avian and piscivorous predators," he said. He also noted West Branch's gizzard shad population is estimated at less than 10 pounds per acre, considered poor, and is stocked with around 2,600 purebred muskies (one per acre) annually.
Leesville and Milton, meanwhile, continue to churn out the numbers. Leesville has a 10-hp power restriction and Milton permits unlimited horsepower boats, and that is an important factor for those who don't have a little trolling outboard. She's pushing 100 years of age, but for great fun, Milton still gets the nod among Youngstown-area anglers. It's close to home, full of big fish and if the fishing is tough, they can always cool off with a fast lap around the lake.
jwwollitz@aol.com