The metropolitan Dayton area features parks for hiking, bike riding, horseback riding, picnicking and fishing. In nearby Germantown fishermen can find good fishing spots at the Germantown Reservoir or Twin Creek in the Germantown Reserve.
Location
Germantown is a small community located just 20 minutes west of Dayton, in southern Ohio. Fishing in the area can be found at the Germantown Reservoir and Germantown Reserve, which is one of 25 parks in the Five Rivers Metropark system in the Dayton area. Due to the cold, wet winters in the Dayton area fishing is generally limited to the fall, spring and summer months.
Germantown Reservoir
The Germantown Reservoir is formed by the Germantown Dam on Twin Creek, northwest of Germantown. The Reservoir is a public fishing area. There is a boat ramp and no fee is assessed for use. An Ohio fishing license is required to fish in the reservoir. When fishing in this location look for large and small mouth bass, perch, catfish and crappie. Other sites are located near the reservoir in the Germantown Reserve, which offers more fishing opportunities in this locale.
Germantown Reserve
Germantown Reserve is available for public use at no charge. The park, like other Montgomery County parks in the Metroparks system, is funded through Montgomery County citizen support of a property tax levy. Twin Creek is located in the reserve and is considered a premier smallmouth bass fishery. An Ohio fishing license is required at this location. Residents and visitors can obtain a license from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. There is also a catch and release site at Sunfish Pond located in the reserve, which does not require a license.
Fish
Twin Creek in Germantown Metropark is a good smallmouth bass stream. The park recommends that you fish in pools below the riffles using live crayfish or minnows. You can also have success with lures that resemble crayfish and minnows. Expect to catch crappie and bluegill in the park using spinners and flies or live worms on a bobber. The best time to catch crappie is in the spring from April to mid-May. If you are a fly fisherman you can be successful here as well. An 8.5 to 9 foot rod with a floating or sink tip line is recommended for all of the fish you might find in these waterways. Choose clouser minnows, wooly buggers or white flies when fishing for bass. Nymphs are recommended for attracting bluegill.
Other Activities
Visitors to Germantown Reservoir or Germantown Reserve will want to take advantage of the other opportunities available at the park. When you are finished with your fishing for the day, visit the reserve where you will find 14 miles of marked hiking and walking trails that are open year 'round. Fossil hunting is available south of the Germantown Dam. For those who like to get out on the water canoes and kayaks can be launched from the river access site downstream from the dam. Overnight tent camping is available in designated areas.
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