Rainbow Trout fishing at South Fork Reservoir

Start shallow in spring: rainbow trout sit in 5 to 20 ft that time of year. They move out to 8 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 8 to 40 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Creek inflow: a inflow / creek mouth around 7 ft that scores prime in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Tie on a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon and you're in the game.

Brown Trout fishing at South Fork Reservoir

Start shallow in spring: brown trout sit in 3 to 25 ft that time of year. They move out to 25 to 60 ft in summer and finish the year down in 5 to 35 ft. Creek inflow is the standout, a inflow / creek mouth at roughly 7 ft, rated prime for spring brown trout. Plan around after dark and early morning in the warm months. Tie on a spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) and you're in the game.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at South Fork Reservoir

In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 10 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 45 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-lake point: a point around 17 ft that scores prime in fall. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.

Largemouth Bass fishing at South Fork Reservoir

Start shallow in spring: largemouth bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 15 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 6 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait gets it done.

Channel Catfish fishing at South Fork Reservoir

Start shallow in spring: channel catfish sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. They move out to 8 to 25 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 40 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Creek inflow: a inflow / creek mouth around 7 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is after dark and the evening.

Crappie fishing at South Fork Reservoir

In spring, crappie run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 25 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 6 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

How deep is South Fork Reservoir?

South Fork Reservoir is about 67 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in South Fork Reservoir?

Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, rainbow trout, white bass & hybrids, brown trout on South Fork Reservoir.

Where is the best fishing spot on South Fork Reservoir?

Creek inflow is the top-rated area: a inflow / creek mouth in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish South Fork Reservoir?

For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.