Sometimes we just don't feel like going to the trouble of hitching up the big boat-providing we even have one. Sometimes we're a little short of cash, precluding any longer excursions.At still
other times time itself severely limits our options to scratch that fishing itch. Fortunately, we live in an area of the country where our angling options are far greater, handier, and more economical than we sometimes realize. The most important variable, however, is that so many of these options can be extremely productive to boot. In these cases, you'll only need one outfit per attendee.Let's say a good choice might be a 5 1/2-6ft. light-action spinning rod matched to a reel loaded with 4-8 lb. test line. Light enough to offer some fun for panfish, and just stout enough to provide at least a fighting chance if a biggun' passes by, and the places I'm listing all offer that chance. So whether with live bait or not, with a little challenge funds-wise, and little time to get out for some fun after a summer dinner, here are some often overlooked choices for truly good fishing, all within minutes of the greater Akron/Kent/Ravenna area, and all accessible to the non-boater:Fred Fuller Park(Kent)- take the winding road back to where the bridge spans the Cuyahoga to the adjacent softball fields. Not too deep or wide. Species: crappie, northern pike smallmouth bass.Favorite Bait:in-line spinners.
St.Peter's of the Field Church(Rootstown/Brimfield)- creek (Little Cuyahoga) runs by here on it's way to nearby Mogadore Reservoir. Species: panfish.bass,very occasional pike.Favorite Bait: minnows.
Cuyahoga River(Streetsboro)-leg that brushes along Rt.#303 contains some quality smallies.Species:smallmouth,pike. Favorite Bait: tubes.
Virginia Kendall(Peninsula)- down Kendall Rd. off old 8 north of Cuyahoga Falls.Pleasant setting features dock with ample room for the kids to pursue the pond's ample but individually smallish bluegill population. Dad can while away the time fishing amongst the weed pockets for largemouth, and there are some good ones.Species: bluegill, crappie, catfish, largemouth.Favorite Bait: redworms. 
Cuyahoga River(Cascade Valley)- loaded with smallmouth, but be prepared to get wet and a bit mussed.Waders an option, though beware of some sudden drop-offs along this stretch's always-changing topograhpy. Species:smallmouth, warmouth, occasional pike and steelhead.Favorite Bait: tubes.
Mogadore Dock (Suffield)- clearly visible just east of Rt.43. Gets popular when the fall crappie bite beckons. Species: redear,largemouth, catfish,crappie. Favorite Bait: minnows.
Mud Brook (Cuyahoga Falls)-crosses Bath Rd. between Graham and State Rds. Rustic little time-killer.Species: bluegill, carp.Favorite Bait: dugworms.
Riverfront Park (Cuyahoga Falls)- widening stretch of the Cuyahoga just off the Front St. X-way exit.Very nice, with picnic facilities, restrooms, and drinking fountains. Species: bass, pike, crappie, panfish, carp, catfish,yellow perch,white perch, white bass. Favorite Bait: minnows. Curiously, city Parks & Rec. Dept. info still lists a non-existent canoe launch here.
Lake Rockwell Bridge(Mantua)- only legal means of sampling the Cuyahoga's least-pressured and most storied reservoir.Species: crappie,pike,largemouth, panfish.Favorite Bait: try topwaters.Careful maintaining legal status hereabouts, could get costly. Good Idea:call nearby Mark's Bait & Tackle (330-221-5213) for reliable info. Always worth stopping in there anyway.
Gorge Park Pier (Cuyahoga Falls)-best in fall for crappie and perch.Most visitors in the dark that SE corner is 25 ft. deep and SW corner is 35ft.So many visitors fishing down a foot or two wondering why no action.Sits on Falls side of legendary Edison Reservoir.Species: bluegill, warmouth, redear, yellow perch, white bass, largemouth, smallmouth, northern pike, crappie, bullhead, channel cats, carp, white perch. Wheelchair accessable. Little shade during day.
Well, there they are. All local, public, potentially productive, and near at least some numbers of everybody reading this.You may well find out that spending less time, money, preparation, and worry is a worthy pastime in itself. -Jack
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