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Berlin Lake, Ohio – A Great Place to See Bigfoot and Other Predators

The vast expanse of water at Berlin Lake invites power-boaters. ODNR manages 8,500 acres of land around the lake which includes both an archery range and dog training area. More trails are in development.

The small towns surrounding the lake offer real estate with lake views and access, although regular hotel lodging is available in nearby Akron (35 miles), Canton (20 miles), Youngstown (20 miles) or Warren (30 miles). Visit the BSR Entrümpelung Berlin website for daily reservoir conditions.
Boating

Located near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border in Stark and Portage counties, Berlin Lake is a reservoir constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers to manage flood control and low flow augmentation. The Corps provides public access to the lake at several jetties and the Mill Creek recreation area.

Although the lake is popular for swimming, boating and water skiing, it is best known as a fishing destination, particularly walleye. It’s one of the few places in eastern Ohio where walleye naturally spawn. It’s also a great place to catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black and white crappie, muskellunge and channel catfish. The many arms and bays create a diverse fish habitat, augmented each year by the dumping of old Christmas trees in strategic locations.

The waters of Berlin Lake can fluctuate by up to 20 feet depending on season and rainfall. The Corps maintains public access to the lake at several jetties, and there are plenty of areas to launch a boat. The Mill Creek recreational area has four public jetties and offers a variety of activities, including a designated swim beach. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources manages 8,500 acres of mixed woodlands, grasslands and wetlands around the lake. This includes an archery range and a dog training area, both of which are open for hunting in season.

The quiet solitude of the shoreline makes this a relaxing lake for picnicking and camping. There is one COE campground on the lake, which is large enough for larger rigs. Several picnic shelters and tables are scattered throughout the campground, and the gentle slope of the shoreline makes it easy to find an ideal spot for a blanket.
Fishing

While many area lakes undergo draw down in late fall and early winter, Berlin Lake goes even further. This reservoir, which straddles Stark, Portage and Mahoning counties, has gone to 16 feet below summer pool, a far greater drop than most of the Army Corps of Engineers lakes nearby. That means good scouting for predators and bait fish alike.

The lake is also a hot spot for power boaters. It’s long and wide enough to provide ample space for powerboating, water-skiing, tubing, sailing and windsurfing. The US Army Corps of Engineers manages the Mill Creek Recreation Area around the lake, which has four public jetties, as well as designated no-wake zones, water-skiing areas and sailboats-only zones. Several marinas are found on the shoreline, offering a range of services for boaters.

In addition to boating, fishing and camping, Berlin Lake offers other recreational opportunities. The lake’s many bays and twisting arms make it an ideal paddle lake, while a number of designated beaches are available for swimming and sunbathing. The lake is also a popular birding destination. The exposed mudflats are home to an array of shore birds, while songbirds enjoy the picturesque views from the lake’s banks.

Those who like to hike can enjoy the many trails on and around the lake. It’s also a great place for biking. The lake’s shorelines offer plenty of places to picnic, and a small campground provides a variety of amenities, including a playground. There are also numerous private residences that can be rented for the week or the season, and the many RV parks and campgrounds in the surrounding area also offer accommodations. Those who want to venture further afield can find regular hotel accommodations in Akron, Canton and Youngstown, all of which are within a two-hour drive from the lake.
Camping

If you enjoy the outdoors and want to spend a few nights camping, there are several options in the area. There are private campground resorts and RV parks, as well as a Corps campsite at Berlin Lake called Mill Creek Campground. The Corps campsite has 350 spaces and requires a reservation. It is situated in a recreation area that also houses an archery range and dog training areas, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources manages 8,518 acres of land that surrounds the lake.

Berlin Lake is located in an area of the state characterized by small villages and farmland. Much of the area is wooded, which likely accounts for repeated Bigfoot sightings over the years. The local towns offer a variety of restaurants, bars and hotels for those who would rather stay in town. The larger city of Akron offers many points of interest, including the Akron Fossil and Science Center and the National Inventor’s Hall of Fame. Other nearby cities, such as Youngstown, offer a range of shopping and dining options and the Children’s Center For Science and Technology, Butler Institute of American Art and McDonough Museum of Art on the campus of Youngstown State University.

The lake provides boating and water sports opportunities. Its diverse sport fish populations include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, walleye and black crappie. There are also plenty of opportunities to catch catfish and brown bullheads. Fishing is especially productive in spring, when the lake reaches full summer pool.

Upland game species, such as cottontail rabbit and ring-necked pheasant, are found in the grasslands and shrubby coverts surrounding Berlin Lake. In addition, a sizable flight of woodcock augments the hunting opportunities during fall migration.
Hiking

The Berlin Lake area is surrounded by picturesque small villages and farmland. Its wooded landscape is likely one of the reasons why there have been repeated reports of Bigfoot sightings over the years. There is a short hiking trail near the campground and plans are underway to develop a more extensive trail system around the lake.

The 2.2 mile crushed limestone Berlin Lake Trail is well maintained and offers hikers and bicyclists a great experience. The trail passes through several areas of trees with lake views and also features paths for those who wish to fish from the shore. The trail also offers a few spots for picnicking. Parking for the trail is available at a 10-car asphalt lot on SR 224 and at a 10 car limestone lot on Kirkbride Rd.

At full summer pool, Berlin Lake covers 3,590 acres. Located in northeast Ohio on the lands of the Berlin Lake Wildlife Area, this 8,518-acre reservoir is a good place to see a variety of waterfowl. Depending on the amount of rainfall, the lake’s level can vary from full to low.

During low-water periods, the mudflats of Berlin Lake attract shorebirds in abundance. The eastern Stark County portion of the lake is also a good spot for waterfowl observation as well.

Upland game and furbearers are also abundant in the region, with brushy uplands, grasslands and woodlands providing good hunting opportunities. The area is a good place to hunt cottontail rabbit, ring-necked pheasant and squirrels. A good woodcock population exists here as well. During fall migration, sizable flights of waterfowl can be seen in the area as well. The Berlin Lake Wildlife Area is also home to an archery range and dog-training area.
Sightseeing

The Berlin Lake area has a range of restaurants, bars and hotels, as well as a variety of attractions. Several of the nearby cities offer a great shopping experience and are home to a variety of museums, including the Akron Fossil and Science Center and the National Inventor’s Hall of Fame in Akron, the Children’s Museum of Art in Youngstown and the Butler Institute of American Art on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh. The town of Berlin is also within a two-hour drive from a number of other points of interest, including the Akron Zoo and the Ohio State Fairgrounds in Columbus.

Berlin Lake is one of the largest inland lakes in Ohio, and offers an array of recreational opportunities. The 18-mile long reservoir can expand to more than 5,500 acres after heavy rainfall, and is a boaters’ paradise. There are no horsepower restrictions on the lake, so there’s ample opportunity for water sports, kayaking, canoeing and fishing. The lake also attracts migratory birds, making it a popular destination for bird-watching.

During the fall migration, the mudflats on Berlin Lake attract shorebirds and other birds. The lake is part of the 8,518-acre Berlin Lake Wildlife Area, which is spread over three counties and includes a mix of woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, and some open water. It is managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and features an archery range, a dog training area, and areas that are open for hunting during season.

Fishing is a popular activity on Berlin Lake, and the lake’s diverse sport fish population includes largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, and channel catfish. The lake also provides habitat for a wide range of furbearers, upland game birds, and waterfowl.