Sproat Lake near Jackson: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  This water sits in Jackson County, Ohio. The country round it is mixed woodland from end to end. It covers about 7 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Ground here is low by Ohio standards. Supplies mean a trip to Jackson, 12 miles off. Columbus is the closest city, 54 miles away. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Sproat Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Survey and observation records for Jackson County include bluegill, longear sunfish, redfin pickerel and fantail darter. The county list is broader than any single water. At Sproat Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 28°F and July at about 73°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Whether it freezes depends on the year. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Sproat Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. A campsite is mapped about half a mile away, which makes an early start easier. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. For a change of water, Gillums Lake is 1.7 miles distant. None of that is settled for Sproat Lake in what we hold.