Oakwood Lake Fishing near Hurricane, West Virginia

• Overview

  Oakwood Lake is one of the Putnam County listings for West Virginia. The ground round it is farm and woodlot. Small enough that any disturbance crosses the whole surface. Our Putnam County list holds plenty of bigger water. Supplies mean a trip to Hurricane, 3 miles off. Meads sits 40 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Oakwood Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. County-wide records name johnny darter, brown bullhead, bluegill and gizzard shad. The county list is broader than any single water. The shape of Oakwood Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 74°F at the top of summer and 32°F at the bottom of winter. Mild ends to the year keep the season long. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. Plan any trip to Oakwood Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Catfish want bait on the bottom: cut bait or worms, a simple running rig, and patience after dark. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. If the gate is shut, Teays Valley Lakes at 2.9 miles is the nearest alternative. Treat Oakwood Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.