Mosquito Lake State Park (Ohio)

This man-made reservoir in Trumbull county Ohio is one of the largest lakes in the state and offers boating, fishing, hiking, and even snowmobile trails. The 2000 plus acre lake consists of woodlands and marshes that are home to a vast array of wildlife. The reservoir helps prevent the upper Ohio river from flooding as well as creates an excellent recreation area.

Skill Level and Water Conditions

The lake is fairly still water, great for beginners. Weather is pretty temperate for the boating seasons, of course special care should be taken if paddling in the colder seasons. It is also important to mention the safety concerns of the dam, be cautious to avoid the dam area of the reservoir and observe all posted signage.

Fees & Regulations

Admission to the state park and vehicle parking is free. Kayaks are covered under the alternative boat registration for Ohio like any lake in the state and the park is governed by the ODNR. There is no HP limit here so be aware of possible motor boat traffic and wakes.

Where to Launch

• Corps of Engineer Launch (MAP)– Located a few miles off of Route 11, at the south eastern end of the lake.
• Don’s Marina Launch (MAP) – On State route 46 across from Mecca Park.
• Mosquito Lake State Park Launch (MAP) – West side of the lake, near recreation areas. Bathrooms available here.
• Causeway Sports Shop Boat Launch (MAP) – On the east side of the reservoir, near the causeway. Boat rentals available here.

Accommodations

The park offers camping with 218 camp sites. Electric hook-up is available as well as bathrooms and showers for campers.

Other Activities

Mosquito lake offers many additional activities for outdoors lovers when taking a break from paddling. Swimming is available on 600 feet of sand covered shore, multipurpose trails are great for mountain biking, and picnic areas are scattered throughout the park. A more unique attraction of Mosquito is it’s approximately 30 miles of snowmobiling trails that are open when weather permits. These trails are half shoreline and half woodland terrain. This draws a lot of visitors since trails allowing motor vehicles are becoming harder to come by. A dog park is available to bring pets as well as a disc golf course.

Thoughts From Visitors

Comments from visitors tend to be positive, with visitors ironically listing Mosquitoes as a common complaint – so don’t forget the bug spray. They also mention to keep an eye on young ones as the posted 10-MPH speed limits are not followed. Please follow these posted limits for the safety of you and your family as well as other park guests.