Middle Fork Reservoir in Wayne County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Look for Middle Fork Reservoir in the Wayne County part of Indiana. It sits at 971 feet above sea level. Roughly 154 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The bank runs about 2.4 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Among the waters listed for Wayne County, none is wider. The closest town, Richmond, is 2.4 miles distant. New Paris lies 4 miles off, Centerville another 7.3 miles. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Middle Fork Reservoir

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Species logged across Wayne County include rainbow darter, johnny darter, smallmouth bass, greenside darter and golden redhorse. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. At Middle Fork Reservoir the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 73°F; by January the average is down near 25°F. The year gives four workable seasons without severe ends. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Middle Fork Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. A marina sits half a mile off, so fuel and a proper ramp are close. Parking within half a mile means no long carry with tackle. A jetty or pier is mapped about half a mile from here. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Failing this one, try Silver Lake, 4 miles away. What applies at Middle Fork Reservoir may have changed since it was mapped.