State park lake chain

Portage Lakes

Summit County, Ohio

The Portage Lakes are a chain of eight lakes south of Akron totaling about 2,034 acres, originally created as part of Ohio's canal system. Portage Lakes State Park sits on the system and ODNR lists eight launch ramps.

Air temp in Clinton, OH Not available right now.

Red pins match the numbered boat launches below. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Portage Lakes (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area2,034 acres

Max depth—

Shoreline37.84 mi

Boat motorsCheck local rules

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Largemouth Bass●●●●○

Main target; fish docks, weeds and lily pads.

Muskellunge●●●○○

Mostly found in North Reservoir.

Crappie●●●●○

Docks and brush in spring.

Bluegill●●●●○

Abundant around docks and shallow cover.

Channel Catfish●●●○○

Common; popular for night and tournament fishing.

Walleye●●○○○

Present but a smaller part of the fishery.

Boat launches

6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

1Portage Lakes State Park ramp (Turkeyfoot Lake)Public
Improved four-lane ramp at the state park.Directions ↗
2Long Lake rampPublic
Public launch on Long Lake.Directions ↗
East Reservoir rampPublic
Public launch on East Reservoir.Directions ↗
4North Reservoir rampPublic
Public launch on North Reservoir.Directions ↗
5Old State ParkRamp
Public boat launch, 619 State Park Drive, Akron. Motor limit: 400 HP. (330) 644-2220.Directions ↗
More public accessPublic
See ODNR or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.

Species	Min size	Daily limit
Crappie Black and white combined	9 in	30 / day

Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife ↗

Verified October 2026. Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Long Lake Bait & TackleNearby
855 Portage Lakes Dr, Akron, OH 44319330-208-0230 Directions ↗
Fisherman's CentralNearby
Portage Lakes area, Akron, OH330-644-5346 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Portage Lakes ↗

Local tips

Most areas are no-wake; only parts of Turkeyfoot Lake and East Reservoir allow skiing at set times.
Nimisila Reservoir is electric motors only.
Chain pickerel are mainly in Long Lake; muskie mainly in North Reservoir.

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.

More Ohio lakes

Seneca Lake Alum Creek Lake Buckeye Lake Salt Fork Lake Hoover Reservoir West Branch Reservoir (Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir) Caesar Creek Lake Tappan Lake All Ohio lakes →

Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.