What started out as a flood control project for surrounding rivers in 1944, Mosquito Creek Lake has developed into one of the most popular sites for outdoor recreation in the area over the past 61 years. These last six decades has brought promise to the lake with the development of five launch ramps, campgrounds and picnic areas, swimming beach, and many hiking trails to enjoy. Mosquito Lake draws lovers of the outdoors not only from the surrounding counties but from throughout Ohio and its bordering states.

Mosquito Creek Lake was named for the pesky insects that inhabited the marshy area, but that did not keep the avid fishermen away from the lake. The legend of the name is based upon two traveling brothers from Cleveland setting off towards Youngstown. The brothers were transporting a large iron kettle in their wagon, which was used for boiling salt from mineral water. During their journey, they came upon a swampy stream where they decided to make camp for the night. While they were sleeping, a huge swarm of mosquitoes attacked and to escape from the deadly "blood-sucking" insects, they overturned the iron kettle and crawled under it for protection. Legend has it that months later, a group of travelers came across the a deserted camp where they found the wagon, skeletons of two horses and a kettle with small holes in it. Underneath the iron kettle were the skeletal remains of the two traveling brothers. From the legendary attack of the deadly swarms of insects, the murky stream was named Mosquito Creek. The name remained as the creek was built into a lake in 1944.

It was suggested to rename the lake to 'Western Reserve' Lake or McKinley Reservoir to sound more appealing to perspective visitors. It was feared that the name would prevent the lake from gaining popularity but despite the name, the people still came.

The main purpose of the creation of Mosquito Lake was to maintain flood control on the Mahoning, Beaver, and Ohio Rivers. It was also used for flow augmentation, pollution reduction, water supply for Warren, and recreation. The lake also provided a supply of water for mills in the area. With the Flood Control Act of 1938, Mosquito Dam was built in only 90 days in 1943 and was opened in 1944 for all to enjoy. It was known as the "90-day Wonder" because everyone was amazed at how quickly it was finished. Congress spent about $4,385,000 for the project and engineers took 11,241 acres of land from nearly 100 surrounding farms to go into the creation of the Mosquito Lake. Many of the farmers and residents of Mecca, Bazetta, and Greene townships were reluctant about a Lake taking over their farmland, but had no choice but to move elsewhere because it was a government project. The government paid the residents up to $30 an acres for their land, but the problem was that good farmland back then to replace what the government took was about $80-$100 dollars.

The Mosquito Lake causeway, what is now state route 88, was built out of gravel and took one year to complete. The causeway provides a means to get from the west side of the lake to the east side. Before the lake was built it was purely an agricultural land and dairy area with pastures and rich timber. When the water was released from the dam for the first time in 1944, the water took with it the woodland, homes, and a local buildings. The rush of water released from the dam on that wintery day took with it over a million feet of quality timber that was going to be milled and sold. The gates of the dam were shut too soon and flooded the area before the lumber could be shipped away. Tens of thousands of dollars at the time were lost to the bottom of the lake.

The first tragedy that occurred on Mosquito Lake was the drowning of three young teenagers on May 4, 1944. The boat that the teens were fishing from was capsized when the water was released from the dam for the first time. There bodies were discovered one week later four miles from the dam. Unfortunately, since the first drownings in Mosquito Lake in 1944, about 72 more have occurred due to the rough conditions during threatening weather.

Mosquito Lake is known as one of the best fishing lakes in Eastern Ohio. There are many fishing spots on Mosquito Lake from the shore, boat, wading, or off of the causeway. Different kinds of fish live in the waters of Mosquito Lake. Walleye is often caught from the lake with a range of sizes between 17 to 20 inches. Crappie and Bass are commonly caught while fishing the shallow depths of the shoreline. Mosquito Lake also has channel and flathead catfish that grow to very large sizes. The lake is also home to bluegill, perch, northern pike, and carp. Ice fishing is very popular when the lake freezes over in the winter months with many fine catches of walleye and panfish.

Mosquito Lake offers boaters to enjoy not only fishing, but sailing, waterskiing, and jet skiing since there is no horsepower limit on the south side of the lake.

Come out to Mosquito Lake to enjoy the beautiful scenery and great fishing. Don't forget to stop by the Causeway Sporting Goods for all of your fishing needs!