Schafer Lake in Noble County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Schafer Lake is one of the Noble County waters in Ohio. It sits in open valley. At roughly 3 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is a small entry by Noble County standards. For a base, Caldwell sits 2.2 miles out. The big place round here is Columbus, 82 miles distant. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Schafer Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. County-wide records name rainbow darter, green sunfish, greenside darter, bluegill and channel catfish. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. Read Schafer Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 73°F in July and bottoms out near 28°F in January. The season stretches long at both ends here. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Expect Schafer Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. 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. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Eastern Ohio Research Development Center Pond, 4.5 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the position on Schafer Lake before loading the car.