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Springwater fishing lake in Lewisburg, Ohio recently enjoyed a grand
re-opening on Fri. April 2, 2004.
Up until around 5yrs. ago Springwater Lake had been a staple for the southern Ohio catfishing community.
Unfortunately, due to failing health the owners could no longer maintain the lake, and many people began to take
advantage of their hospitality. The lake was shut down, and the property put up on the auction block.
The property was sold, but the lake remained closed.
The property then changed hands once more, and this time to a family that looked to restore the reputation of
the lake as a fantastic place to not only take the family for an outing, but to go in search of the big ones!
I contacted Lonnie Huffgarden, the current owner of the property on the rumors I had heard of its re-opening.
Quite frankly I was impressed with Lonnie's hospitality, drive, and determination to restore the lake to its
former days of glory. He confirmed that the rumors were true, and was more than willing to answer all of my questions about
the lake, and the property itself.
Everyone from his family to freinds were very freindly and really gave you the "make yourself at home" feeling.
Lonnie invited the Catfish Billy's crew out to opening day and see what we could fish out of the lake. We excitedly accepted!
The lake itself is very impressive in its layout. Below is a picture of the largest and deepest area of the lake.
Reaching maximum depths of around 28ft., it is the perfect haunt for large blues and flatheads alike.
The lake then transitions from the deep steeply up to depth
in the middle of the lake around 8-10ft. A perfect ledge for concentrating on big blues that will line that ledge waiting
for prey and winter kill shad and other baitfish. As well a provide a shallower flat for flatheads to feed on at night. Further
down from that section to the left the water shallows more to a depth of 4-5ft.
We set up around that ledge from the far bank armed with live bluegill,
crappie, and dead trout. We were hoping to coax some blues and channels into biting. After realizing nothing was really that
interested in live bait, we baited up with very large sections of cut trout. I put a very large trout head on a 7/0 Owner
octopus hook and cast it out around the bottom of that ledge. One 40min. time period and a well placed comment by Daryl about
wanting to hear some baitclickers going off, one did! The clicker on my new Tica Caiman baitcaster went screaming, hookset,
and oh my lord, I knew it was large. The result:
| Obviously that trout head looked tasty! |
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| Or at least this 37lb. blue cat thought so....I was very excited! |
Well if that wasnt exciting enough I switched my other
baits to trout on a hunch. About an hour later, and yet another comment by Daryl about wanting to see how well my new St.
Croix rod would hold up under pressure, the slip float I had on that outfit went under, and the baitclicker took off screaming
again. Hookset, and oh yeah, this one felt good too. Yet another great blue cat.
| This beauty went 25lbs. but fought like a 40. |
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I had mistakingly left my digital camera in the truck (found out
the batteries were dead later anyway) but the owner Lonnie was very quick and excited to get a camera over to our area around
the lake and snap both of these pics. Thanks Lonnie!
Afterwards in the bait shop everyone in the Springwater crew was very excited about the catches and congradulated
me. I was again impressed with the manners and hospitality of the owners and crew!
Springwater offers a variety of fishing. From big blues, to flatheads (many in the 60-80lb. range) to channel
cats, bass, crappie, bluegill, carp, and pike. They feature a newly remodeled bait shop, complete with everything you need
to restock your tackle bag. As well as offering live bait, and refreshments. The price is very reasonable at $12 for 12hrs.
(a buck an hour). And you cant beat the freindliness of the new ownership there.
Springwater Fishing Lake is located at 4299 Pyrmont Rd. in Lewisburg
OH.
You can contact Lonnie and the crew at area code 937- 962-1699.
I can promise you this, you will not be disappointed, and are sure
to have a great time. I know the Catfish Billy's crew will be there alot this season when we are not out river hunting big
flatheads! Give Lonnie a call and tell him Catfish Billy sent ya!
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