McMillin Reservoir Number 1-South Fishing near South Hill, Washington

• Overview

  McMillin Reservoir Number 1-South falls in Pierce County, part of Washington. The bank is 564 feet above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 8 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Supplies mean a trip to South Hill, 0.9 miles off. For a city, Tacoma is 12 miles off. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on McMillin Reservoir Number 1-South

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Open biodiversity records for Pierce County list pink salmon, sockeye salmon, largemouth bass and Chum salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. On this water the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 65°F, the coldest about 38°F. Long warm spells define the calendar more than any cold. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to be out. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Expect this water to follow that timing. A cold snap sets things back for several days.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. McMillin Reservoir Number 1-North, 0.1 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the current arrangement for this water.