Fishing
- Possession and Transport of Exotic Aquatic Species
- Licenses & Regulations
- ShareLunkers
- Fish Identification
- Fish Consumption
- Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
Water Resources
- Texas Reservoir Levels
- US Army Corps of Engineers
- Texas Water Issues
- Golden Alga
- Aquatic Vegetation
3407-A S. Chadbourne
San Angelo, Texas 76903
(325) 651-5556
Lynn Wright, Biologist
Nearby State Parks:
Balmorhea Lake
Quick Links: Fishing Regulations | Angling Opportunities | Cover & Structure | Tips & Tactics
Lake Characteristics
Location: 2 miles southeast of Balmorhea
in Reeves County
Surface area: 556 acres
Maximum depth: 25 feet
Impounded: 1917
Water Conditions
Conservation
Pool Elevation: 3,187 ft. msl
Fluctuation: Full in winter,
drawn down 10 feet during summer
Normal Clarity: Clear to slightly
muddy
Reservoir Controlling Authority
Reeves County WID Number 1
PO Box 185
Balmorhea, Texas 79718
(432) 375-2238
Aquatic Vegetation
Bulrush and sago pondweed
Predominant Fish Species
Lake Records
Stocking History
Latest Survey Report
Lake Maps
None available
Fishing Regulations
All species are currently managed under statewide regulations.
Angling Opportunities
The fishery is beginning to recover from past golden alga blooms. Balmorhea Lake has not experienced a major alga-related fish kill since 2013.
| Species | Poor | Fair | Good | Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass |  |
|||
| Catfish |  |
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| White Crappie |  |
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| Sunfish |  |
Fishing Cover/Structure
Balmorhea Lake is a shallow reservoir with large rocks near the dam, cobble on the southwest side, and sago pondweed and bulrushes on the north and west sides. Some terrestrial vegetation grows on the shore as the water recedes in the summer. This vegetation is flooded during the winter months as the lake refills. There are three groups of fish habitat structures installed at this lake.
Use the Habitat Structure Viewer for an interactive map of fish habitat structures and downloadable GPS coordinates.
Tips & Tactics
Largemouth bass are caught by fishing minnows, crankbaits, spinner baits, plastic worms, and topwater baits around the areas with rocks, pondweed, flooded terrestrial vegetation, or cobble. Channel catfish are caught on live bait and cut bait throughout the reservoir. White crappie are caught on minnows and small jigs near flooded terrestrial vegetation. Large redear sunfish can be caught with live worms under a bobber near the shoreline.