Want to break out that old rod but don’t know where to go? This series will help you get on the water and ready for the next bite.
White Park is a 170 acre area of public land that sits just below Hopecrest in the
southern part of Morgantown. Primarily known for its substantial amount of mountain
bike trails, few realize that in the middle of the woods sits an excellent warm
water fishery.
Otherwise known as the Cobun Creek Reservoir, this sizable dam sits between Mississippi
St and Green Bag Rd. The lake was created in 1958 by the Morgantown Water Commission
to hold the water supply for the city of Morgantown. In the process however, a
fish and wildlife haven was born.
Accessing White Park is simple as you can get to it in just a few turns either from Don Knotts Blvd or Green Bag Rd. The best way to access the dam for fishing is by using the parking lot on Mississippi St just up from the ball fields.
After parking, cross the street and take the gravel path into the woods. After a
short time you should be able to see the beginning of the lake begin to take form.
Continue down the path until you see a dirt trail that veers to the left downhill
towards the water. There you’ll find yourself on the water's edge where there's
roughly 50 yards of shoreline to allow room for easy casting
Part of what makes fishing here so appealing is the woodland scenery and wildlife that surrounds the dam. A variety of creatures call this place home including beavers, squirrels, waterfowl, and a variety of other birds.
Another popular feature of the park is that there is plenty to do for the family
if the fishing is slow. There are a plethora of walking trails by the lake that
can keep you occupied forever, not to mention the ball fields right down the road.
Popular fish species in the Reservoir are Largemouth Bass, various species of Catfish, Crappie and Sunfish. Depending on what species of fish you’re planning to target, your tackle needs may vary. A baitcasting rod and reel would probably be preferable here, but a regular spin fishing outfit works perfectly fine. 10 lb test line should be plenty for most scenarios here, but if you’re specifically targeting catfish, maybe look more at the 15-20 lb test line. For weight, ⅛ oz is probably optimal but 1/16th oz weights can often be productive.
There are a few different avenues you can go down as far as lures are concerned
depending on what type of fish you’re after. If you’re not particular and are looking
to just get something on the end of the line, you can’t go wrong with classics
such as the Johnson Beetlespin, the Roostertail, crappie jigs and marabou jigs.
Catfish are most often caught by suspending scented baits off the bottom using
a dropshot rig.
If you’re targeting largemouths, soft plastics, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits tend to be the most productive. 4 and 5 inch stick baits rigged in a variety of fashions should produce fish, along with crankbaits made for multiple depths and in multiple sizes. Topwater fishing at the lake can also be successful so don’t forget to bring a few poppers and buzz baits.
If you're looking for a scenic place to relax, catch a few fish and enjoy some beautiful scenery, head over to White Park, down the gravel path to the reservoir, cast a line and leave the world behind!
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