Beal Lake in Athens County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Beal Lake belongs to Athens County, Ohio. The bank is 735 feet above sea level. Small at around 2 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Athens County. Some 4 miles away sits Athens, the nearest settlement. Beyond it, The Plains at 5.8 miles and Chauncey at 7.8 miles. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Beal Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Reported across Athens County: bluegill, dusky darter, johnny darter and slenderhead darter. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Beal Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 74°F and January near 29°F on the long-run figures. Whether it freezes depends on the year. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. It holds true on Beal Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. For the panfish, a small hook, a float and a piece of worm outfish everything fancy. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. For a change of water, Fox Lake is 1.9 miles distant. Where Beal Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.