conneaut swamp fishin?

looks like it would be great fishing. ive fished it twice by canoe and didnt catch a fish either time. it is extremely thick in there. we launched off of the geneva/cochranton exit. talked to a guy that claims he uses white mice from the pet store and says he crushes pike in there. never seen it to say if its true. i would think if the fishing was so good in there youd see a lot of boats. ive crossed over 79 there 1000's of times and have yet to see people fishing it.

No secrets there sac

Bald Guy,
    Been there, Tried it.  Very thick, Very Very difficult to maneuver.  Don't even think of trying to wade, there are some deep holes.  If you get hung up it's a long, hard time to get back.   All-in-all I wouldn't do it again even if I could catch fish there.... which I didn't.  Some small stuff, mostly sunnies, and rock bass.  Not worth the trouble in my opinion.  Maybe if you had a kayak, too much time on your, hands, and just wanted to enjoy the paddle.  Lots of birds and turtles though.   Pymy is a heck of a lot better and the access is easier.  And then there's that big puddle up north which has way better fishing.  Just my 2 cents.  I caught more in PIB in three hours than in a day own there.  You keep thinking "OH, that looks like a good spot!" and by the time you row, pole, push, drag, the boat over... it isn't.
      And just in case you think I' BS'ing you. I live 500 miles away and I plan my valuable fishing time in PA. And I do not PLAN to fish the swamp when I travel up.  I tried it. And I didn't enjoy it.  Long ride from any put-in too.   But go ahead.  Then you can be the first person anyone has seen in a boat out there.  Be sure to wave to the folks on 79.

Hey Bald guy, This is Earthquaker I am one of the few Ohio guys that these guys let on here. Just jokin! The guys in my band (Earthquakers) live by the swamp and tell me that they have fished it and they know others that have fished it so, I guess I'm just like the other guys, I know people that say there is good fishin there but have yet to see it with my own eyes.

I have spoken with several duck hunters, who claimed to have seen some absoute pigs in there. I am inclined to believe them, as the habitat is just too good not to hold some great fish. No matter how good the fishing MIGHT be, very few would put forth the effort to access them. I too, would advise against wading. Three feet of water, may lay over several feet of not so "solid" ground.

I'VE FISHED BY THE DAM AND DONE OK. I CAUGHT A REDFIN PICKERAL IN THERE ONCE. YES, I KNOW WHAT EVERYONE GOING TO SAY, THEY ARE NOT NATIVE TO THE WESTERN DRAINAGE SYSTEM, SO I MUST HAVE MISS ID'D THE FISH. NOT TRUE !!!  IT WAS A REDFIN AND NOT A GRASS PICKERAL OR BABY NORTHREN. CAUGHT BASS AND PANFISH TOO ! YOU CAN FISH EASILY FROM SHORE WHERE THE DAM/SPILLWAY IS.

I grew up a few miles from the swamp and caught a lot of Redfin Pickerl under the I79 bridges in the thick stuff on minnows close to shore. They look just like a baby Musky and are very agressive so I for one belive you.

I too have wanted to fish there for several years.  There was some info on the old board but seems like it cannot be accessed.  This is connect to french creek and the outflow from conneaut so I would assume there's musky in there.  All I know is that it's non poweres boats only and looks like hell to wade.
Got some relatives that live in Titusville...may have to try that spot sometime soon.

ORIGINAL: Storm Warning 2

Technically it is "Geneva Swamp", but you are correct it does start at the outflow of Conneaut Lake.  Lots of fish in there.  Pike, some bass, TONS of bowfin, crappie, varieties of sunnies, and a few channel cats.  One of the longest pike I ever caught came out of the Custard's hole of the swamp.  It was 41" long but was a slim, slim, slim 11#, truly looked like a snake.  If you wanted to fish a swamp for bass, I think you'd be better off at the Hartstown swamp.  Crystal Lake, Hidden Lake, and the last levee pond all have SIZABLE largemouth populations. 

 
Where is Crystal Lake, Hidden Lake, and the Levee ponds? I know where Hartstown Swamp is but I haven't heard of those lakes.

Thanks for the info Egg!

You are right about the oxygen. Sometimes minnows die in less than a minute. But I have had some great days there. So I guess I'm dumb. lol
I don't spend an entire day there. Just an hour or two. I have learned one thing about that place. Either you get into the fish or you don't. If you don't then move on.
 
 

ORIGINAL: CAPTAIN HOOK

Low oxygen levels in that swamp. Bass struggle to survive year to year. Looks good but pick another place if your smart.

youre saying your minnows are dying in less than a minute because you feel theres a lack of oxygen in there for a minnow to live??? yeah, a minnow requires a huge amount of oxygen.
 
"So I guess I'm dumb. lol."^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

ORIGINAL: CAPTAIN HOOK

Low oxygen levels in that swamp. Bass struggle to survive year to year. Looks good but pick another place if your smart.

 
Hartstown Swamp?  There is no shortage of bass or oxygen in that swamp, I can assure you.  A buddy spent a morning ice fishing there last winter w/ a bucket of shiners and tip ups and slammed 36 bass in 3 hours! 
 
Geneva swamp, yes, there are oxygen issues. 

Hartstown Swamp?  There is no shortage of bass or oxygen in that swamp, I can assure you.  A buddy spent a morning ice fishing there last winter w/ a bucket of shiners and tip ups and slammed 36 bass in 3 hours! 

Geneva swamp, yes, there are oxygen issues. 


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we used to fish hartstown swamp by canoe and the place was polluted with bass. we always used a buzzbait. it was very thick. i assume the bass were stunted as there were so many and they were all the same size.

i went past the swamp about a year ago to check it out and the swamp looked like it was drained. i didnt get out to take a closer look but it looked empty. does it get that low in the summer or was this an isolated incident?

ok. thanks. the fishing was excellent there. sounds like it still is.