Yanshan Reservoir Fishing Haul: 40+ Pounds of Catches & Pro Tips

Let me tell you—this past fishing trip to Yanshan Reservoir was insane. I’m still sore from hauling in fish, but man, was it worth it. If you’re into freshwater fishing, this spot is a hidden gem. Let’s break down the trip, the chaos, and the tips that helped me land over 40 pounds of fish (yes, you read that right).

Where the Heck is Yanshan Reservoir?

First off, for anyone wondering—Yanshan Reservoir sits on the Ganjiang River, a tributary of the Shaying River in the Huaihe River Basin. It’s straddled between Fangcheng County (Nanyang, Henan) and Ye County (Pingdingshan, Henan). Translation: it’s in central China, but if you’re a fishing nerd like me, that’s all you need to know. The place is loaded with fish—no exaggeration. I’ve fished here before, but this trip? Total game-changer.

The Trip: 3 Days of Fishing Chaos

We arrived at Lao Feng’s spot (a local fishing hub) around 3 PM on Monday. The first thing I saw? Pingdingshan anglers reeling in fish left and right. I didn’t waste a second—found a spot, set up my rods, and got to work. The heat was brutal (25–35°C that day), but when there’s fish on the line, you forget about sweat. I even climbed up and down the bank three times just to adjust my setup—fishing is a workout, y’all.

Day 1: Slow Start, Then Boom

I baited my spot and waited… 30 minutes later, the first bite hit. That day, I pulled in about 5 pounds. Not bad, but nothing crazy. Night fishing? Total bust. I stayed until 11 PM, and not a single bite—not even the crabs everyone talks about. I was tired, so I crashed hard. Let’s just say my tent that night was a welcome sight.

Day 2: The Day the Fish Went Crazy

Woke up at 5 AM, baited again, and whoa. From 6 AM to 5 PM, the bites didn’t stop. There were waves of fish—especially around noon. I had two rods going, and I could barely keep up. I was so busy reeling in that I forgot to eat lunch (don’t judge—fish first, food second). By the end of the day, my arms were screaming, but my cooler was half-full. This was the “crazy day” I’d been waiting for.

Day 3: The Calm Before… Well, Just Calm

Stuck to the same spot and same setup (why fix what works?), but day three was a letdown. The fish were being lazy—didn’t start biting until 11 AM, and even then, it was just a few here and there. Packed up around 4 PM with a few more pounds. Total haul for the trip? Over 40 pounds. My buddy? He crushed it with 60+ pounds. The other three guys? 10 pounds each. So yeah—spot and bait matter. A lot.

Yanshan Reservoir Fishing Tips: What Worked (and What Didn’t)

Let’s get to the good stuff—what I learned that’ll help you land a haul too. No fancy jargon, just real talk from three days on the water.

1. The Perfect Spot: Lao Feng’s Fishing Hub

We set up at Lao Feng’s spot, and it was a goldmine. The water levels were normal for this time of year—no crazy flooding, which is key. As temperatures rise (we hit 36°C on day two), you want to fish deeper water. Pro tip: ask locals for their go-to spots—they know the reservoir better than anyone.

2. Bait & Setup: Keep It Simple (But Effective)

My go-to bait combo? Store-bought fishing food + homemade soaked millet. Here’s the breakdown:

• Millet (soaked) was the base—fish love that nutty, scented stuff.
• Store-bought bait + worms were backups for when the millet wasn’t cutting it.

For carp? I used the empty hook method (also called “bead fishing”). Let’s dive into that—it’s a game-changer for big fish.

Empty Hook (Bead) Fishing Method for Carp

This method targets bottom-feeding big fish and avoids tiny “nuisance” fish. Here’s how I did it:

• Hook: Use No. 5–7 Iseni yellow hooks. Subline (leader) folded to ~20 cm—short enough for control, long enough for natural movement.
• Bead: Tie a small yellow bead to the hook (fake bait). Fish go crazy for that bright color.
• Adjustment: Set your rig to be “slow” (use running sinker rig). This keeps the hook steady on the bottom—no floating around.
• Bait the Spot: Use heavy, long-lasting bait: alcohol-soaked rice, corn grits, or wheat. These stay put and keep fish around for hours.
• Keep It Consistent: Bait the same spot repeatedly (but quietly—don’t scare the fish). Use a landmark (tree, rock) to aim your cast—accuracy = more bites.

Pro warning: I lost a huge carp when my line snapped (even with a slack line!). Either the fish was a monster, or my knot was weak. Don’t make my mistake—check your knots every time!

3. Weather: Wind & Temperature = Fish Mood

Weather is everything here. Let’s recap the three days:

• Day 1: Northeast wind, 25–35°C → Good bites (after the wait).
• Day 2: Southwest wind (morning) → Northeast wind (noon), 25–36°C → Fish went feral.
• Day 3: Northwest wind (blowing hard), 26–37°C → Barely any bites.

Moral: Watch the wind. If it’s shifting or blowing hard, the fish might hide. Also, early morning (before 8 AM) and late afternoon (after 4 PM) are prime times—fish feed when it’s cooler.

Yanshan Reservoir: More Than Just Fishing

Yeah, the fish are great, but the vibe here? Unbeatable. The reservoir is surrounded by hills, and the views are stunning (I took tons of photos—see below!). Lao Feng’s spot has basic amenities (water, shade), so you don’t have to rough it too hard. I even met a few local anglers who shared their secret bait recipes—fishing folks are the best.

Final Thoughts: Would I Go Back? Hell Yes

Yanshan Reservoir isn’t just a fishing spot—it’s an experience. I left sore, sunburned, and with a cooler full of fish. Would I change anything? Maybe bring more water (the heat was no joke) and check my knots twice. But overall? This trip was a 10/10.

If you’re planning a trip, hit up Lao Feng’s spot, use the empty hook method for carp, and keep an eye on the wind. And hey—if you see a guy with a yellow bead on his hook, that’s probably me. Come say hi—I’ll share my bait recipe. Tight lines, everyone!