Middle Ranch Reservoir

Middle Ranch Reservoir is a reservoir in Los Angeles County, California and covers about 11 acres, reaches about 23.3 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 110.1 acre-feet.

One weed edge or deeper pocket can hold much of the day’s activity; start on a firm point, then save the heaviest tackle for deep cover.

Fish and Baits

Fish listed for Middle Ranch Reservoir include Black Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, and Largemouth Bass.

Start the black crappie search on Middle Ranch Reservoir by trying to fish a small jig or minnow around wood, weeds, and sharp little drops.

A useful bluegill plan on Middle Ranch Reservoir is to use a small jig, worm, or tiny plastic around green weeds and protected pockets.

When largemouth bass are the target on Middle Ranch Reservoir, work a soft plastic, jig, or spinnerbait around weeds and protected cover.

While looking for channel catfish on Middle Ranch Reservoir, fish cut bait or a nightcrawler on the bottom along a channel edge or warm flat.

Other targets listed here include Common Carp; give each one its own bait and depth instead of trying to catch everything with the same rig; keep the first pass close to structure, then watch water color during the day.

How to Read the Water

Use wind as a clue; a light push can carry food toward a bank, but hard wind may muddy it, so look for a clean edge near a point or protected pocket; fish the first useful drop, then watch for food before choosing lure depth.

Season by Season

Early in the year, protected water and the first warm afternoon can be the best clues; as the water heats up, check deeper edges without assuming every fish is on the bottom; cooling fall water often makes points and firm banks useful again; begin beside green weeds, then make the next cast parallel to the edge.

A Simple Tackle Plan

A medium spinning rod, 8-pound line, a small box of jigs, a few crankbaits, and a simple bottom rig cover most situations; change depth or speed before changing every piece of tackle; check rock and weeds as separate patterns, then use one moving lure and one slow bait.

Record the wind, water color, depth of the first good pass, and cover after a bite; those four notes are more useful on the next trip than a long list of spots that did not produce; fish where rock meets mud, then fish the windy and calm sides differently.