Fishing at Lake Idlewild, Hardin County, Ohio

• Overview

  Out in Hardin County, Ohio, sits Lake Idlewild. The bank is 945 feet above sea level. At roughly 9 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. You are 2.5 miles from Kenton. Forest is 10 miles away, with Ada at 12 miles. In the same area: Killdeer Upground Reservoir 13 miles away, Bud Lake about 13 miles, Dunns Pond 19 miles away, Appleseed Ridge Lake Number One about 20 miles and Buckeye Lake 20 miles away. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Lake Idlewild

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. On Lake Idlewild the first feature you find is usually worth a session. There are roughly three months where the mean sits under zero.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 24°F and July at about 73°F, the water has a wide range to work through. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from mid March. Break-up near mid March, freeze-up near late December: that is the shape of an average year. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. On Lake Idlewild that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. There is a pier recorded roughly 140 yards away. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Killdeer Upground Reservoir sits 13 miles off and takes the overflow. Rules at Lake Idlewild are worth checking on the day.