Smith Pond in Carroll County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Carroll County in Ohio is where Smith Pond sits. The setting is farm and woodlot. At 9 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. The nearest town is Carrollton, 1.7 miles away. For a city, Akron is 43 miles off. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple. In wet weather the last stretch of track is the awkward part.

• Where to Fish on Smith Pond

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Public occurrence data for Carroll County names white sucker, bluegill, green sunfish and johnny darter. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Smith Pond responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 71°F, while January sits near 26°F. The calendar is generous: something works in nearly every month. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Smith Pond.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. A carry of 0.9 miles from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Carroll Kemp Corporation Reservoir sits 2.2 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Smith Pond before loading the car.