Fishing Schenk Lake in Ohio County, West Virginia

• Overview

  In West Virginia, Schenk Lake belongs to Ohio County. Farm and woodlot runs right down to the water. At 3 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Martins Ferry sits 3.2 miles from the bank. After that come Wheeling at 3.9 miles and Bethlehem at 4 miles. The boundary is near enough that local access rules are worth double-checking.

• Where to Fish on Schenk Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Fish documented in Ohio County include creek chub, eastern blacknose dace and western blacknose dace. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Fish Schenk Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 28°F to 72°F. The freeze here is occasional rather than annual. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. That is the shape of the year on Schenk Lake. A settled week fishes better than a changeable one.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. You will be walking about half a mile from the nearest car park. There is a toilet block some half a mile out. A light spinning outfit with a small box of lures and some bait covers most of what swims here. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. For a change of water, Short Creek is 6.2 miles distant. Confirm access to Schenk Lake locally before you travel.