Bonham City Lake

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

Public Access Facilities

Lake Characteristics

Location: Three miles northeast of Bonham off FM 273
Surface area: 1,020 acres
Maximum depth: 30 feet
Impounded: 1969

Water Conditions

Current Lake Level
Conservation Pool Elevation: 565 ft. msl
Fluctuation: Moderate
Normal Clarity: Moderate

Reservoir Controlling Authority

City of Bonham
301 East 5th Street
Bonham, Texas 75418
(903) 583-7555

Aquatic Vegetation

Native emergent vegetation includes cattail, bulrush, water willow, and water primrose.

Predominant Fish Species

Lake Records
Current Fishing Report
Stocking History
Latest Survey Report

Lake Maps

None available

Fishing Regulations

All species are currently managed under statewide regulations.

Angling Opportunities

Species	Poor	Fair	Good	Excellent
Largemouth Bass
Catfish
Crappie
Sunfish

Fishing Cover/Structure

Fish habitat structures have been placed around the fishing T-pier located near the ramp at the Bonham City Lake Recreation Area. Most of the shoreline is ringed with cattails which provide some cover for small fishes. Scattered boat houses also provide cover for largemouth bass, crappie, and sunfish. There is a modest amount of standing timber and cut banks which provide habitat for catfish. Probably some of the best cover is provided by the 1.5 miles of rip-rap along the dam.

Use the Habitat Structure Viewer for an interactive map of fish habitat structures and downloadable GPS coordinates.

Tips & Tactics

Fish the dam with spinner baits in the spring for largemouth bass. Spinner baits are also good in the many coves that are lined with cattails. The edges of the cattails hold lots of bass. Later on in the summer and into fall go to worms and crankbaits for bass. Crappie fishing is best in the winter and early spring. In the winter they are deep in schools near cover and in the spring they move into the shallow shoreline to spawn. Jigs or minnows are baits of choice. Channel and blue catfish are best from late winter through the fall. Drift fish using liver, blood bait, crawfish, or cheese.