Horning Reservoir in Washington County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Horning Reservoir is set in Washington County, Oregon. It sits in rolling hill. The water measures roughly 4 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. North Plains is the closest place, 5.5 miles off. Banks is 6.2 miles and Scappoose 8.5 miles. What else is close: Welches Pond after 1.3 miles, Kay Reservoir about 1.3 miles, Howard Schmidt Reservoir after 3.9 miles, Spaniol Reservoir about 4 miles and Jackson Quarry Reservoir after 4.3 miles. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Horning Reservoir

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Reported across Washington County: common carp, yellow perch, brown bullhead, largemouth bass and black crappie. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. On Horning Reservoir that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 62°F; the cold one sits at 38°F. Spring and autumn are the strongest, but nothing is truly closed. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Horning Reservoir runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. You can park half a mile away and walk in from there. A platform or pier sits within 50 yards. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Welches Pond at 1.3 miles is the sensible second choice. None of that is settled for Horning Reservoir in what we hold.