Overview
Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir is a 2,650-acre project on the West Branch Mahoning River in Portage and Trumbull counties, completed about 1965–66. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District operates it for flood risk management and recreation beside West Branch State Park. The reservoir is closely integrated with that large public recreation complex and forms part of northeast Ohio's Mahoning River Corps lake group.
The lake has about 56 miles of shoreline and contours reaching about 50 feet deep. Long riverine arms, wooded points, and channel edges give boaters both protected fishing water and wider travel reaches across the West Branch valley. Compared with the broader, shallower profile of nearby Mosquito Creek Lake, Kirwan offers a more elongated setting with substantial park shoreline and more vertical relief for structure-oriented anglers.
Kirwan has a notable muskie reputation and also supports bass, panfish, and other warmwater fishing, plus boating and camping through West Branch State Park. It is associated operationally and regionally with Berlin Lake and Mosquito Creek Lake. Anglers should consult the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for Ohio regulations, while state-park marinas, ramps, camping areas, and trails provide broad public access for day trips and longer stays.
Pool elevations use NAVD88, with normal full pool at 985.5 feet. No separate winter or flood-pool value is recorded in the catalog; releases and West Branch Mahoning River runoff govern changing levels. Checking current Pittsburgh District and park information before launching helps with ramp depth, dock access, shoreline cover, and planning around inflow-driven fluctuations.
Current Conditions
Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir is currently 3 feet below full pool and has fallen slightly over the past week.
- 7-day trendFallingLatest movement can differ from the seven-day trend.
- 7-day changeDown 0.35 ft
- 30-day changeDown 0.89 ft
- Drought conditionsNo Drought
About This Lake
Learn how this lake is managed, what affects its water level, and where Lake Insights gets its data.
Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir is a 2,650-acre reservoir on the West Branch Mahoning River managed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.