Fishing at Cool Spring Reservoir, New Castle County, Delaware

• Overview

  Cool Spring Reservoir belongs to New Castle County, Delaware. The water sits 135 feet up. Surface area runs to about 3 acres — small enough to read in one session. Our New Castle County list holds plenty of bigger water. For a base, Wilmington sits 0.7 miles out. Beyond it, Elsmere at 2.2 miles and Greenville at 2.8 miles. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Cool Spring Reservoir

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. New Castle County records list striped bass, redbreast sunfish, bluegill and alewife among the fish reported. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Cool Spring Reservoir fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 76°F in July and bottoms out near 31°F in January. A lid forms in a hard winter only. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. On Cool Spring Reservoir that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Parking within 90 yards means no long carry with tackle. There are picnic tables recorded roughly half a mile off. Facilities run to toilets half a mile from the water. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Bellevue Lake sits 4.2 miles off and takes the overflow. The position on Cool Spring Reservoir is worth confirming on the day.