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Ashtabula Today
By the People, for the People
Spring Fishing Season Nears in Mahoning Valley
Anglers eagerly await the arrival of walleye, crappie, steelhead, and bass as winter's grip loosens.
Published on Feb. 21, 2026
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As winter winds down, fishing enthusiasts in the Mahoning Valley region are gearing up for the start of the spring fishing season. The annual transition from winter to spring brings opportunities to target a variety of popular game fish, including walleye, crappie, steelhead, and bass, in local lakes, reservoirs, and rivers.
Why it matters
The arrival of spring fishing is a highly anticipated event for the local community, signaling the end of cabin fever and the return of outdoor recreation. This seasonal shift is especially meaningful for the region's anglers, who have access to excellent fishing opportunities just a short drive from home.
The details
Walleye will be the first target as they move shallow to feed on shad and other baitfish at reservoirs like Mosquito and Pymatuning. Anglers will gather on causeways, dams, and wading flats to cast jigs tipped with minnows or twister tails, with the best action typically occurring around sunset. Meanwhile, crappie will start moving toward the banks, congregating around boat docks, tree tops, willows, and other cover. To the north, steelhead trout will become accessible in rivers like Ashtabula, Grand, and Conneaut as ice jams melt. And bass anglers will be eager to hook some of the season's biggest fish as the largemouths move up from their wintering holes.
- Ice and snow may linger, but the annual tug of war between winter and spring will soon end.
- Walleye will start moving shallow in March, with the best fishing around dusk.
- Crappie will begin their migration toward the banks in the coming weeks.
- Steelhead will become accessible in northern Ohio and Pennsylvania rivers as ice melts.
- Bass will move up from their wintering holes in the next week or two.
The players
Mosquito Lake
A popular reservoir in the Mahoning Valley region that attracts anglers targeting walleye.
Pymatuning Reservoir
Another local reservoir known for its walleye fishing opportunities.
Ashtabula River
A northern Ohio river that draws steelhead anglers.
Grand River
A Pennsylvania river that also sees an influx of steelhead trout in the spring.
Conneaut Creek
An Ohio stream that is a favorite destination for steelhead anglers.
What they’re saying
“Soon the ice will be gone and the walleyes will be on the move at all of our local reservoirs.”
— Jack Wollitz, Columnist (tribtoday.com)
“The first walleye every spring is a prized catch. It is the reward for surviving the long haul of shoveling snow, driving in slush and shivering in the wind.”
— Jack Wollitz, Columnist (tribtoday.com)
What’s next
As the ice and snow continue to melt, anglers will flock to their favorite fishing spots in the coming weeks to target the first waves of spring fish.
The takeaway
The arrival of spring fishing season is a highly anticipated event for the Mahoning Valley community, offering a wide range of opportunities to pursue popular game fish like walleye, crappie, steelhead, and bass within a short drive from home.
