Howell Reservoirs

Howell Reservoirs is a reservoir in Washington County, Oregon.

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

Fish and Baits

Fish listed for Howell Reservoirs include Bluegill, Brown Bullhead, and Largemouth Bass.

During a careful second pass near scattered wood while the water is falling, use a small jig, worm, or tiny plastic around green weeds and protected pockets for bluegill.

During a warm summer afternoon near a channel bend with stable weather, work a soft plastic, jig, or spinnerbait around weeds and protected cover for largemouth bass.

During a slow shoreline pass near a windblown shore under flat light, use a worm on the bottom in a warm, quiet pocket during low light for brown bullhead.

How to Read the Water

During the first pass near a windblown shore before changing areas, 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.

Season by Season

During a check of nearby water near the edge of deeper water under flat light, 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.

A Simple Tackle Plan

During a warm summer afternoon near a windblown shore where two features meet, 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.

During a steady fall day near a creek-side turn in stained water, record the wind, water color, depth where the bait 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.