|
|
|
Willard Reservoir Fishing Map
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOCATION
Willard Reservoir is located in the southwestern corner of Huron County on State Route 61, two miles north of New Haven, in New Haven Township.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Willard Reservoir is an upground reservoir; water is obtained by pumping from the Huron River, which runs along the east side of the reservoir. It was completed and filled in 1971 and designed to provide water for the city of Willard, low-flow stream augmentation to the Huron River, and water for agricultural use and recreation.
Willard Reservoir has a surface area of 199 acres at maximum water level and a storage capacity of approximately 1.9 billion gallons. Its maximum depth of 46 feet is located near the eastern shoreline, with an average depth of 26 feet. The reservoir bottom is uniformly deep, so there is limited shallow water. No fisheries enhancement facilities were incorporated into this reservoir.
FISH OF INTEREST TO ANGLERS
Willard Reservoir has populations of yellow perch, walleye, channel catfish, bluegill, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and brown bullhead. Rock bass, green sunfish, suckers, and carp have been pumped into the reservoir from the Huron River.
FISHING FORECAST
| Type of Fish |
|
Size |
Largest
(inches) |
| Channel Catfish |
Excellent |
Excellent |
26.4 |
Walleye
|
Fair
|
Good
|
26.0
|
Yellow Perch
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
12.0
|
Fish Survey Report
| Type of Fish |
Percent Seeking |
Catch Rates |
Fishing Pressure |
| Catfish |
17%
|
Fair
|
Average
|
Largemouth Bass
|
6%
|
Poor
|
Low
|
| Sunfish |
16%
|
Excellent
|
Average
|
| Walleye |
6% |
Poor |
Low |
| Yellow Perch |
31% |
Excellent |
High |
Angler Survey Report
METHODS OF FISHING AND BEST FISHING SITES
As a result of the uniformity of the reservoir bottom and the consistently deep water, only limited shallow water with cover and feeding areas are present. These are the limestone riprapped shorelines, especially near the south and west shores. These shallower areas provide better food production than the deeper waters and serve to concentrate fish for angling. Spring should produce the best fishing. Live bait or deep running artificial lures produce the best results.
Smallmouth bass are present along the stone shorelines and are best taken on live bait, including nightcrawlers, minnows, and crayfish, as well as spinners and other deep running artificial lures. Largemouth bass are usually shoreline residents in upground reservoirs, inhabiting shallower waters. They are best caught during the spring on live baits or artificial worms and baits fished along the shorelines.
Bluegill concentrate around the water inlet and outlet structures and in shallower water. Best baits to use are redworms or larval baits such as waxworms or mousies.
Walleye are present throughout the reservoir and can usually be taken on nightcrawlers or artificial lures; weighted spinners and worm combinations are the most productive. Walleye are usually caught around wave-washed shorelines in the spring and by drift fishing or trolling during summer and early fall.
Yellow perch are usually found in the same areas as walleye, although they seek the shoreline cover areas more often in late summer and fall. Best baits for open water fishing are minnows and worms.
Fishing for bullheads is usually best during the spring months. Live nightcrawlers are the best baits when fished on the earthen bottom of the reservoir, either from the shoreline or from boats.
Channel catfish fishing is usually best during late spring and summer. Although many channel cats are caught with bullhead fishing techniques, many large catfish are taken by drift fishing or balloon fishing with live nightcrawlers.
Ice fishing is allowed at your own risk. Avoid the inlet and outlet pipe located in the south and east sides of the lake. We recommend not fishing alone and recommend taking ice safety precautions. Ice fishing is frequently good at Willard Reservoir for bluegill, yellow perch, and walleye. Bluegill and yellow perch are caught readily through the ice using larval baits such as mousies, waxworms, and wigglers on ice flies. Jigging spoons or ice lures are effective for walleye. The secret to successful ice fishing is to move frequently from hole to hole until you locate fish.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Boats are allowed on the reservoir with electric motors only. Boats cannot be more than 25 feet in length. The boat ramp and main parking area is on the southwest corner of the reservoir off State Route 61. Additional parking is located off State Route 61 on the western side of the reservoir and off Town Line Road on the northern side of the reservoir. The boat ramp and parking areas are operated by the city of Willard and a boat permit is needed. This permit can be obtained at the city offices until 5 p.m. and at the police station after 5 p.m.. The permit costs $1 per boat and is good for the life of the boat.
FISH OHIO
Anglers who catch a big fish should enter their prize in the Fish Ohio angler recognition program. A fish qualifies for an award if it meets the minimum size requirement set for the Fish Ohio program. Applications are available online at FishOhio.org.
FISH MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
Fish management activities by the Ohio Division of Wildlife include stocking, fish population monitoring with sampling equipment, age and growth studies, angler harvest studies, and water quality analysis. These activities provide a continual check of water quality and fish population and a sound basis for management practices necessary to furnish quality public fishing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The nearest district office is Wildlife District Two, 952 Lima Ave., Findlay, Ohio 45840; telephone (419) 424-5000. To get other maps or publications call toll free 1-800-WILDLIFE.
TURN IN A POACHER
Ohio’s TIP, “Turn In a Poacher,” program is helping curtail poaching throughout the state. TIP is designed to involve the public in reporting wildlife violations. Citizens who observe wildlife violations should call the TIP toll-free hotline, 1-800-POACHER.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Major Sportfish
Life Histories |
|
|
|
|