Gillums Lake in Jackson County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  In Ohio, Gillums Lake falls inside Jackson County. The country round it is rolling hill from end to end. At roughly 5 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. By elevation it sits in the lower part of our Ohio listings. The town to know is Jackson, 12 miles out. Waverly is 13 miles away, with Wellston at 13 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Gillums Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Fish documented in Jackson County include bluegill, longear sunfish, redfin pickerel, fantail darter and johnny darter. The county list is broader than any single water. At Gillums Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 74°F, the coldest about 28°F. Mild ends to the year keep the season long. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. At Gillums Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, Sproat Lake at 1.7 miles is the nearest alternative. Treat access at Gillums Lake as something to verify.