Smith Reservoir, Pennsylvania: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Smith Reservoir is one of the Erie County waters in Pennsylvania. The bank is 1,312 feet above sea level. It covers about 11 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Most waters listed here for Erie County are larger. Start from North East, 3.2 miles down the road. After that come Northwest Harborcreek at 9.6 miles and Wesleyville at 11 miles. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Smith Reservoir

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. County-wide records name largemouth bass, bluegill and yellow perch. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Take Smith Reservoir a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 70°F and January near 24°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around early April. Open water usually runs from early April until about late December. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Smith Reservoir runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Grahamville Reservoir at 1.9 miles is the sensible second choice. Where Smith Reservoir is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.