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.
History:
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:
The park features 232 campsites and two group camping areas.
216 electric sites
16 non-electric sites
15 are walk-in only sites
2 ADA compliment sites (41 and 42)
2 large group non-electric camping areas
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
Pets are permitted in all sites, except for yurts.
Activities
Archery
An archery range is free and open to the public at Mosquito Lake State Park. It is located near the camp check-in building behind the basketball and volleyball courts. Park in the campground visitors parking lot.
Boating
Unlimited horsepower boating is permitted on portions of the 7,850 acre lake, while other areas are restricted to 15 mph. Five launch ramps provide access to the lake. Seasonal or transient dock rentals are available through the park office. A life jacket loaner board is available at the Corps ramp on State Route 305.
Disc Golf
The Squirrel Run Disc Golf Course features 18 holes. It offers both long & short tees and there is no fee to play. Discs are available to rent or purchase at the camp office. The course is open 7 days per week year round.
Dog Park
The Cooperation Station Dog Park is a 5-acre off-leash dog park surrounded by a split wood and mesh fence and features separate areas for small and large dogs as well as a dog swim area. The park has lots of shade and drinking water is provided seasonally.
Fishing
Fishing is popular throughout the year with plentiful catches of walleye, bass, northern pike and crappie. A valid Ohio fishing license is required.
Hunting
Hunting is permitted in designated areas of the park and the nearby Grand River Wildlife Area. Controlled hunts, by drawing, are conducted in the Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area in North Bloomfield, at the north end of the lake. A valid Ohio hunting license is required.
Picnicking
Four picnic areas are located in the scenic areas of the park and tables are provided.
Swimming
A 600-foot beach provides recreation for swimmers and sun bathers. Swimming is permitted in designated areas. Please exercise caution while swimming at the beach. Pets are NOT allowed on swimming beaches. A separate dog park with a swim beach designated just for dogs is available.
Trails
Four hiking trails allow visitors to explore the park’s woodlands and scenic shoreline. More than 8 miles of bridle trails give horsemen access to the park’s interior. Snowmobilers have access 13 miles of wooded trails. Mountain biking is permitted on all multiple-use trails.
Winter Recreation
Under the proper winter conditions, park guests can enjoy snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, sledding ice skating, ice fishing, and ice boating. Cross-country skiing is permitted on the hiking trail on the east side of the lake. Snowmobiling is permitted on the bridle trail on the west side of the park.
Naturalist programs on weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day and some fall weekends
Playground equipment is available some in day-use areas of the park
Butterfly garden by the amphitheater in the campground
Free summer concerts at the Mosquito Lake Marina
Bicycle rental
