Fishing C.J. Brown Reservoir

AKA: Buck Creek State Park Lake

Popular Fish Species
C.J. Brown Reservoir Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
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C.J. Brown Reservoir, OH

Popular Fish Species C.J. Brown Reservoir, OH

CJ Brown Reservoir Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Bass tournaments, including kayak bass tournaments are popular events at CJ Brown Reservoir, one of the top bass fishing lakes in the region. Anglers are catching bass in good numbers with largemouth bass in the 3 to 5-pound range showing up with some regularity. A history of careful fisheries management by the Division of Wildlife, Ohio Department of Natural Resources has helped to maintain a thriving bass fishery. Recent results by bass fishing tournament participants, attest to the fact that fishing for largemouth bass has been quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 6 pounds being weighed in. In CJ Brown Reservoir, bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. If they seem disinterested in your presentations, try slowing down and use smaller, lighter baits. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time.

CJ Brown Reservoir Popular Fish - Walleye

Walleye Fishing

Thanks to a significant gizzard shad population, walleye are thriving in the fertile waters of CJ Brown Reservoir this year. In fact it is considered a premiere inland walleye destination by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower, closer to shore and begin spawning. Rock and gravel are preferred areas for the spawn. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, stay around schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. Walleye have excellent, low-light vision which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water during low light conditions. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

CJ Brown Reservoir Popular Fish - Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish Fishing

CJ Brown Reservoir has long held a dependable population of channel catfish. The typical cats are about 2 pounds, with larger ones caught frequently. For weekend anglers, most any rod and reel will work for catching channel catfish, as long as the line is strong enough. For serious catfish enthusiasts, using the right equipment enhances success, especially when you hook one of the big boys. A medium action, to medium-heavy action rod is ideal, in the 6' to 7' range. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with popular catfish baits on at least 10-pound line. Use sharp hooks with bait holders on the shank, or circle hooks for live bait. The state record channel catfish is over 37 pounds, and CJ Brown Reservoir holds some pretty big ones. Night fishing for catfish often delivers better results than daytime fishing. Fishing for channel catfish is often most productive around any kind of structure in the area. In Spring channel catfish migrate toward incoming water, so stay up river away from the main lake. In early summer look for rocky banks, the bigger the rocks the better. In summer and winter deeper structure is where to look. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin.

C.J. Brown Reservoir Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye and bluegill at C.J. Brown Reservoir in Ohio.

Completely surrounded by Buck Creek State Park, C.J. Brown Reservoir is home to a nice variety of fish species. This 2,019-acre lake, with 14 miles of shoreline, in the west-central part of the state offers walleye, bass, catfish, bluegill and crappie fishing.

Primary fish species residing in C.J. Brown Reservoir

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

C.J. Brown Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Buck Creek Boat Launch
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, off Buck Creek Lane, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.