C.J. Brown Reservoir

Clark County, Ohio

C.J. Brown Reservoir is a Corps of Engineers lake in Buck Creek State Park, about 2 miles northeast of Springfield. It is known for fast-growing walleye, bass and crappie.

Air temp in Springfield, OH Loading current temperature…

Red pins match the numbered boat launches below. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at C.J. Brown Reservoir (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area2,120 acres

Max depth50 ft

Shoreline14.15 mi

Boat motorsUnlimited

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Walleye●●●●○

Fast growth. Fish reach 15 inches in about 1.5 years.

Largemouth Bass●●●○○

Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.

Crappie●●●○○

Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.

Smallmouth Bass●●●○○

Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.

Muskellunge●●○○○

Recently added to the stocking program.

Channel Catfish●●●○○

Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.

Boat launches

5 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

1Buck Creek State Park rampRamp
Five-lane ramp near the park office. Seasonal slips.Directions ↗
2Buck Creek marinaMarina
Marina store with bait, tackle and fuel, plus a fishing pier. Open limited days, check hours.Directions ↗
3North EndRamp
Public boat launch, West of Grant Road, Springfield. No horsepower limit. (937) 322-5284.Directions ↗
4Army Corps/ParkRamp
Public boat launch, Grant Road, Springfield. No horsepower limit.Directions ↗
More public accessPublic
See the ODNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.

Species	Min size	Daily limit
Walleye Walleye, saugeye and sauger, singly or combined.	15 in	6

Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife ↗

Verified October 2026. Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Howard's Lakeside General StoreNearby
1919 Croft Rd, Springfield, OH 45503(937) 505-1037 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near C.J. Brown Reservoir ↗

Local tips

The lake has few sheltered coves and is rough on windy days.
Gizzard shad are the main forage. Match crankbaits and jigs to shad.
Walleye and saugeye must be 15 inches or longer to keep.

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.

More Ohio lakes

Seneca Lake Alum Creek Lake Buckeye Lake Salt Fork Lake Hoover Reservoir West Branch Reservoir (Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir) Caesar Creek Lake Tappan Lake All Ohio lakes →

Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.