Readers’ favorite lakes are Mosquito, Erie and Pymatuning, based on comments following our Feb. 16 column about preferred fishing holes.

Most who fish have their personal favorites, but truly avid anglers will fish just about anywhere. Reader Terry Watson summed up the feelings of many with his exaggeration, “I’d fish in a toilet.”

But Watson was quick to add his clear favorite is Mosquito Lake. It tops the list of many other Mahoning Valley fishers. He has his favorite and others have theirs, which reflects the diversity of our local waters.

Who doesn’t love a great lake, especially when it’s full of walleyes, perch, steelhead and bass? Readers Steve Evans and Barb Mickler Zabloski echoed the thoughts of thousands of Ohioans in listing Lake Erie as their all-time favorite.

Boardman’s Tom Pletcher grew up fishing Youngstown-Warren area lakes, but today loves the tranquility of mountain streams and lakes.

Reader Al Bottorff is among those who enjoy the variety of lakes close to home. His home in Mecca puts him in close proximity to Mosquito — just 3 minutes from north-end launch ramps.

His two sons join him on local fishing trips. They have enjoyed good results at Mosquito, but often swing over to nearby Pymatuning Lake.

“The biggest reason we like Pymatuning is due to the limited horsepower, which makes the experience quieter, more peaceful and less crowded,” Bottorff said.

The Bottorffs are among those who team up with friends to broaden their fishing horizon.

“Our dentist and friend Dr. Tom Bost has not only shown us great spots and techniques at Pymatuning, but also introduced us to Conneaut Lake, Shenango River and our favorite fishery, the bay at Presque Isle near Erie, Pa.,” he said. “It has good populations of largemouth and smallmouth bass as well as northern pike, gar and an occasional bowfin.”

Big game also factor into the fun of fishing for the Bottorff family. Al proudly showed off photos of muskies hooked by his sons on local waters.

“Muskies have spoiled my sons and it’s hard to get them to fish for bass any more,” he said.

Several local lakes are known as muskie hot spots, but it’s not clear in the photos where the big bruisers were caught. Like many anglers, the Bottorffs aren’t giving away all of their secrets.

“My sons will not allow me to share the lakes or spots where they were caught, but it is in our back yards, so to speak.”

Indeed. There’s no need to poach other anglers’ spots.

With such a multitude of good fishing spots here in Northeast Ohio, we have many to experience and to claim as our own.

Jack Wollitz is a writer and angler who has a long list of preferred local lakes, but acknowledges his favorite is the one he is fishing on any given day. He also enjoys emails from readers. Send a note to Jack at jackbbaass@gmail.com