Lake Bardwell

Quick Links: Fishing Regulations | Angling Opportunities | Cover & Structure | Tips & Tactics

Public Access Facilities

Lake Characteristics

Location: 4 miles southwest of Ennis in Ellis County
Surface area: 3,138 acres
Maximum depth: 43 feet
Impounded: 1965

Water Conditions

Current Lake Level
Conservation Pool Elevation: 421 ft. msl
Fluctuation: 4 feet
Normal Clarity: Moderately clear to milky

Reservoir Controlling Authority

US Army Corps of Engineers
4000 Observation Drive
Ennis, Texas 75119
(972) 875-5711

Aquatic Vegetation

Hydrilla has become abundant north of the Highway 34 bridge.

Predominant Fish Species

Lake Records
Stocking History
Latest Survey Report

Lake Maps

Available at the Corps of Engineers project office

Fishing Regulations

All species are currently managed under statewide regulations.

Angling Opportunities

With the increase in vegetation (hydrilla) in the upper end, fishing for largemouth bass has improved. Catfishes and open water species such as white bass and hybrid stripers are very good. Hybrids are stocked on an annual basis and have provided an excellent fishery; however, no one has registered a lake record yet. Downriggers can provide hybrid striper action during warm months, watch for schooling birds during cooler weather.

Species	Poor	Fair	Good	Excellent
Largemouth Bass
Catfish
Crappie
White Bass
Hybrid Striped Bass
Sunfish

Fishing Cover/Structure

Hydrilla north of the Highway 34 bridge offers good access to largemouth bass. Best structure is along the face of the dam. The upper end of the lake is highly silted and shallow and is only accessible during high water.

Tips & Tactics

Live bait (for catfishes and crappie) and noise making baits (for white bass and hybrid stripers) seem to work best. Good eating, too.