Ohio State Parks
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Mosquito Lake State Park

Mosquito Lake (NE)

Address/Directions

1439 State Route 305
Cortland, Ohio 44410

Park Office

330-637-2856

Camp Office

330-638-5700

Reservations for Camping & Getaway Rentals

Call or reserve online: 866-644-6727
Reserve Campsites
Reserve Getaways

Maps

Park Map
Campground Map

GPS Coordinates:

41.344211, -80.764618

Information

Water recreation, hiking, camping and picnicking attract visitors to Mosquito Lake, one of the largest lakes in Ohio. 2,483 acres of mature woodlands and vast marshes provide safe haven for wildlife and will delight nature enthusiasts.

Nature of the Area

Before Ohio was settled, the banks of Mosquito Creek were hidden by a vast forest that covered most of the state. Little remains of the ancient forest that stood for nearly 10,000 years. In the Mosquito Lake area, regrowth has occurred and the nice stands of beech-maple woodlands can be enjoyed. In pioneer times, the beech-maple belt was very extensive and stretched from Mansfield to Pennsylvania. The reason is that this area has more cloudy days, cooler summer temperatures and more winter snow cover as compared to the rest of Ohio.

The park’s woodlands support colonies of spring beauties, anemones, Dutchman’s breeches, purple cresses and other spring wildflowers. Goldenrod and asters will bloom in the fall in the park’s open areas. Many wildlife species find the park’s varied habitats suitable. Red fox, woodchuck, muskrat, beaver, fox squirrel, raccoon, rabbit and white-tailed deer are common. Recently, river otters were reintroduced in nearby favorable locations. Several otter families have been sighted.

Many birds live in or migrate through the area including robins, warblers, swallows and sparrows. The yellow-bellied sapsucker and hairy woodpecker are uncommon in other parts of Ohio but abundant in this part of the state. Numerous species of waterfowl and shorebirds take advantage of the park’s many wetlands during spring and fall migrations. Canada geese, herons, tundra swans, great egrets and a variety of ducks can be observed. Large predatory birds including several species of hawks and the magnificent bald and golden eagles have been spotted here.

History of the Area

Mosquito Lake State Park lies in Bazetta and Mecca townships in the center of Trumbull County. In 1795, the Connecticut Land Company offered for sale a 17,247-acre tract of land named Bazetta Township. This large tract of land was divided into 100 parcels and offered for sale to the early pioneers. The first settlers arrived in the township in 1805. The area was wilderness, and their first tasks were to clear the land, plant crops, build a log house and a stockade for their animals. Deer, turkey, rabbit and squirrel were plentiful. So were bears and wolves. By 1812, most Indians had left the area.

Samuel Bacon moved to Bazetta Township in 1816. The Bacon family operated a sawmill from 1816 to 1850. Samuel Bacon erected some of the first frame buildings, developing stores in the community. Thus, the area now named Cortland was locally called Baconsburg.

The village of Cortland became a reality in 1874 when the first railroad was built with a depot in Cortland. By 1882, the population of the village rose to 614 people. There were three churches, two newspapers, stores, mills and other enterprises.

Agriculture was the first and foremost industry in the area. Most other industries were farm related: feed and flour mill, cheese, dairy and canning factories, mercantiles and lumberyards.

In 1930′s, plans were drawn up to dam the Mosquito Creek under the Federal Flood Control Act to alleviate floods on the Mahoning, Beaver and Ohio rivers. The dam would also provide domestic water supply for the city of Warren and pollution abatement as a result of the industrialized steel production along the Mahoning River. Completed in April 1944, the dam’s capacity held 34 billion gallons of water covering 7,850 acres of land. In 1946. the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers entered into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to manage the recreation on the lake.

Camping

Reserve Campsites online

  • 218 electric sites
  • 16 non-electric sites
  • The majority of the sites are situated in a mature forest while others provide lakeshore access and vistas
  • Boat launching area for the campers with shoreline tie-ups
  • Facilities include a shower building with flush toilets, and pit latrines are located throughout the campground
  • Basketball, volleyball and horseshoe courts are offered in the campground, along with a playground area for youngsters
  • Games and sports equipment are available to registered campers at the camp office
  • Free WiFi access is available at the camp office to registered campers
  • Download the Campground map

Getaway Rentals

Reserve Getaway Rentals online

  • 2 yurts are available for rent from May through September
  • Each has a beautiful view of the lake and a large wooden deck
  • Each yurt includes
    • 2 futon bunk beds
    • Small refrigerator, microwave, small table
    • Grill & picnic table
  • Guests need to bring… sheets, blankets, pillows, plates, eating and cooking utensils, cook ware, food etc



Naturalist Programs

  • Weekends from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend
  • Call 330-637-2856 for more information

Cooperation Station Dog Park

  • 5 acre off-leash dog park, surrounded by a split wood and mesh fence
  • Separate areas for small and large dogs
  • Swim area just for dogs
  • Lots of shade
  • Drinking water is provided seasonally
  • Developed by volunteers of the Mosquito Lake Dog Park Friends, and volunteers and employees of the following organizations: Trumbull Country Metro Parks, Trumbull County YouthBuild, US Army Corps of Engineers, Mosquito Lake State Park
  • Help support the Cooperation Station Dog Park by joining the Mosquito Lake Dog Park Friends group
    • Annual membership fees: $5 single • $10 family • $50 corporation/sponsor
    • 100% of membership fees are used to further the mission of the group
    • Send check or money order, payable to MLDPF, to Anna Campagna, 775 Dalton Dr NW, Warren OH, 44481
  • For more information, visit www.mosquitolakedogpark.com

Trails

  • 2 hiking trails allow visitors to explore the woodlands and scenic shoreline of the park
  • 10 miles of bridle trails give horsemen access to the park’s interior
  • Snowmobilers have access to 14 miles of shoreline and 15 miles of wooded trails
  • Mountain biking is permitted on 5 miles of multiple-use trail

Boating

  • Unlimited horsepower boating is permitted on the 7,850 acre lake
  • 5 launch ramps provide access to the lake
  • Fuel and other supplies are available at the Mosquito Lake Marina
  • Jet Ski, pontoon, & fishing boat rentals are available at the beach • Call 330-638-0221 for reservations
  • Fishing boat rentals are available at the Causeway Sportshop • 330-637-7076
  • 250 seasonal dock rentals are offered through the park office
  • Check for water quality advisories
  • Boating laws and information

Fishing

  • Fishing is popular throughout the year with plentiful catches of walleye, bass, northern pike and crappie
  • Valid Ohio fishing license is required

Picnicking

  • 4 picnic areas are located in the scenic areas of the park
  • Tables are provided
  • Bazetta Township Park on the east side of the lake offers 2 pavilions and a large wooden structure called Imagination Station • For information, call 330-637-8816

Swimming

Squirrel Run Disc Golf Course

  • 12 holes, par 39
  • Offers both long & short tees
  • No fee to play
  • Discs are available to rent or purchase at the camp office • Open 7 days per week from April through September, weekends only during October, closed November through March
  • See what other parks have disc golf courses

Hunting

Winter Recreation (conditions permitting)

  • Snowmobiling on 14 miles of shoreline and 15 miles of wooded trails
  • Cross country skiing
  • Ice skating
  • Ice fishing
  • Ice boating

Area Attractions