Bear Creek Lake Fishing near West Portsmouth, Ohio

• Overview

  You will find Bear Creek Lake in Scioto County, Ohio. It lies 935 feet above sea level. It covers about 4 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Supplies mean a trip to West Portsmouth, 8 miles off. Portsmouth is 10 miles away, with Rosemount at 11 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Bear Creek Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Across Scioto County, recorded fish include bluegill, longear sunfish, rainbow darter and spotted bass. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. Take Bear Creek Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 73°F and January about 29°F. The swings are modest, so patterns change slowly. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. It sets the rhythm of the year at Bear Creek Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. A campsite is mapped about half a mile away, which makes an early start easier. Toilets are half a mile away, which matters on a long session. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Turkey Creek Lake at 3.2 miles is the nearest alternative. For Bear Creek Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.