Bethesda Reservoir near Bethesda: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Bethesda Reservoir sits within Belmont County in Ohio. The surroundings are mixed woodland. At roughly 12 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is high ground by Ohio standards. Head to Bethesda, 0.4 miles away, for anything you forgot. The big place round here is Pittsburgh, 63 miles distant. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Bethesda Reservoir

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Public occurrence data for Belmont County names johnny darter, fantail darter, rainbow darter, stonecat and greenside darter. The county list is broader than any single water. On Bethesda Reservoir the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 27°F in January to roughly 72°F in July. The year gives four workable seasons without severe ends. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. The season on Bethesda Reservoir rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. For the panfish, a small hook, a float and a piece of worm outfish everything fancy. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. For a change of water, Bethesda Sportsmans Club Pond is 2.5 miles distant. Nothing on Bethesda Reservoir should be assumed from this page alone.