Barker Reservoir

Barker Reservoir is a reservoir in Josephine County, Oregon.

The recorded size of Barker Reservoir is missing; fish one short bank carefully before deciding whether a wider search makes sense.

Fish and Baits

Fish listed for Barker Reservoir include Bluegill, Brown Bullhead, Cutthroat Trout, and Largemouth Bass.

During the start of a weather change near the mouth of a pocket while the water is falling, use a small jig, worm, or tiny plastic around green weeds and protected pockets for bluegill.

During a return to the best bank near a creek-side turn after a cold night, work a soft plastic, jig, or spinnerbait around weeds and protected cover for largemouth bass.

During a methodical search near the edge of deeper water close to shade, use a worm on the bottom in a warm, quiet pocket during low light for brown bullhead.

How to Read the Water

During a cold winter outing near the mouth of a pocket while the water is rising, do not let the deepest number control the whole day; nearby cover, firm bottom, and food usually matter more than the deepest hole by itself.

Season by Season

During a steady fall day near a rocky edge near firm bottom, shallow water is worth a careful look in spring and again during fall; bright summer days favor shade, weeds, or deeper breaks; under ice, a small depth change can be more useful than a long move.

A Simple Tackle Plan

During a check of nearby water near a rocky edge with light wind, a light spinning rod, thin line, a few small spoons, inline spinners, and jigs cover the listed trout; carry one slightly heavier setup when other fish or windy water call for more control.

During the first hour near the edge of deeper water beside useful cover, record the wind, water color, lure depth that worked, 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.