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C. J. Brown Reservoir Fishing Map |
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LOCATION
C.J. Brown Reservoir is located at Buck Creek State Park, 2 miles northeast of Springfield, approximately 1 mile east of State Route 4 on Croft Road, and approximately 3 miles north of U.S. Route 40 on Bird Road and Buck Creek Lane.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Clarence J. Brown Reservoir is a flood control and recreation reservoir with 1,970 surface acres and 14.15 miles of shoreline. The reservoir is in the Great Miami River watershed; it impounds Buck Creek and drains an area of 82 square miles. Construction by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was begun in September 1966 and completed in fall 1973. The gates were closed on January 2, 1974, and the lake was filled to approximately 1,000 acres by spring. The lake was held at this level throughout the summer to permit construction of a beach, and to allow channel construction and building of islands in the north end. The lake was filled to seasonal pool in spring 1975. The lake was lowered in fall 1979 to build a marina and place 16 piling groups for fish habitat structure.
The earthen dam is 6,600 feet long and 72 feet high at the highest point. An open-cut spillway allows the release of excess water to prevent flow over the dam. The maximum water depth is 50 feet at the dam. The control tower on the upstream side of the dam has inlets at the bottom which allow the water to pass through a conduit under the dam.
The eastern shore slopes more gently than the western shore, which drops off rapidly to 30 feet. The upper end of the reservoir, north of the Buck Creek Lane crossing, is very shallow. Standing trees in some of the coves along the western shoreline provide most of the fish cover in the lake.
FISHES OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Walleyes, channel catfish, and white crappies have been stocked. Largemouth bass, black crappies, bluegills, suckers, carp, bullhead catfish, white bass, and other sunfish have entered the lake from Buck Creek or were present in the farm ponds and gravel pits that were flooded when the lake was filled.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
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Size |
Largest
(inches) |
Fishing Tips/Comments |
| Channel Catfish |
Excellent
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Good
|
27.7
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In early spring, fish upper end of lake where the creek enters. |
| Crappie |
Fair
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Poor
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11.5
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A 9-inch minimum size limit and 30 daily bag limit is in effect. |
| Largemouth Bass |
Poor
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Good
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19.4
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Try rip-rapped areas along the dam and marina.
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| Sunfish |
Poor
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Fair
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7.2
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Try 8-16 foot depths for larger fish. In the latest creel survey on the lake, the average length of bluegills kept by anglers was 7.2 inches.
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| Walleye |
Poor |
Poor |
28.6
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Peak catch rates occur during May-July. Troll crankbaits or bottom bounce with jigs or nightcrawler rigs. A 15-inch minimum size limit is in effect.
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White Bass
|
Fair |
Good |
13.9 |
In early spring, fish the creek mouth in the upper end of the lake. In summer, troll crankbaits or cast jigs with curly tails or spinners.
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Fish Survey Report
Angler Survey Report
| Types of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| Catfish |
3%
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Fair
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Average
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| Crappie |
20%
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Good
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High
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| Largemouth Bass |
9%
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Poor
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Average
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| Saugeye |
5%
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Good
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Average
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| Sunfish |
4%
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Good
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High
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| Walleye |
30%
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Excellent
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High
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White Bass
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2%
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Good
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High
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METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
In the spring walleyes can be caught along riprap shorelines such as the dam using jigs tipped with twister tails. Trolling and drifting with deep diving crankbaits or spinners tipped with night crawlers are productive methods during the summer. Some walleyes are taken in the tailwater pool below the dam.
Crappies are found throughout the lake and can be taken in spring in brushy areas, around fish habitat structure additions, and along riprap shorelines by still fishing with live minnows, larval baits, small flies, or jigs tipped with waxworms. Drifting or trolling with minnows or wax worms over old roadbeds is also productive. Bluegills are taken on redworms and wax worms in the summer along the riprap shoreline and around natural cover and fish habitat structure additions. Largemouth bass can be taken from spring through fall by casting artificial lures and live bait at the "drop-off," roadbeds, and old stream channel. Channel catfish can be taken in spring in the creek mouth and upper end of the lake by fishing shrimp, chicken liver, or cut bait. Night fishing around the marina can also be productive. White bass can be taken in spring in the creek mouth and upper end of the lake by casting small spinners or jigs tipped with twister tails. In the summer, white bass can be caught throughout the lake by trolling crankbaits or drifting with a night crawler-tipped spinner.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The Division of Parks and Recreation at Buck Creek State Park operates and maintains the recreational facilities located on the east side of the reservoir. A large beach, bathhouse, vacation cottages, marina, campground, parking areas, picnic areas, shelter houses, sanitary facilities, and boat ramp are located on the east side of the lake. The marina has a concession stand, restrooms, and outboard motor gasoline. Picnic areas, parking and sanitary facilities, and a nature center on the southwest side are operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
FISH OHIO
Anglers who catch big fish should enter their prize in the Fish Ohio angler recognition program. A fish qualifies for an award if it meets the minimum size requirements set for the Fish Ohio program. Applications are available online at FishOhio.org.
FISH MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
Fish management activities by the ODNR Division of Wildlife include stocking, monitoring the adult fish population, installing fish habitat structures, and conducting studies to determine spawning success, survival, and growth of important game species.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The nearest District office is located at Wildlife District Five, 1076 Old Springfield Pike, Xenia, OH 45385; telephone 937/372-9261.
Horsepower limits and other boating regulations are subject to change. Contact the ODNR Division of Wildlife for the most current information.
TURN IN A POACHER
Ohio's TIP, "Turn In a Poacher," program is helping to control poaching throughout the state. TIP is designed to involve the public in reporting wildlife violations. Citizens who observe wildlife violations should call the TIP toll-free hotline, 1-800-POACHER. |
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Major Sportfish
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