TPWD District Fisheries Office

8684 LaVillage Avenue
Waco, Texas 76712
(254) 666-5190
Michael Baird, Biologist

About the Area

Nearby State Parks

 

Lake Limestone

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


Lake Characteristics

Location: On the Navasota River 15 miles southeast of Groesbeck on FM 3371 in Leon, Robertson, and Limestone counties
Surface area: 12,553 acres
Maximum depth: 43 feet
Impounded: 1978

Water Conditions

Current Lake Level
Conservation Pool Elevation: 363 ft. msl
Fluctuation: 1-3 feet
Normal Clarity: Stained

Reservoir Controlling Authority

Brazos River Authority (BRA)
Route 3, Box 89A
Thornton, Texas 76687
(903) 529-2141
information@brazos.org

Aquatic Vegetation

Cattails, hydrilla, lily pads, pondweed, water hyacinth, willows

Predominant Fish Species

Lake Records
Stocking History
Latest Survey Report

Lake Maps

No free maps are available.

Fishing Regulations

All species are currently managed under statewide regulations.

Angling Opportunities

Lake Limestone offers some of the best fishing of any central Texas lake. Because it is located off the beaten path, anglers will find they have little competition, particularly during the week. Solitude and good fishing for many species combine to make Lake Limestone a winner. Spring is the best time to catch good numbers of quality size largemouth bass, but these fish can be caught year round. Three catfish species are present: blue, channel, and flathead, with channel catfish being the most common. Crappie and white bass fishing can be fine in spring when these species spawn. Sunfish of quality size are few and far between.

Species Poor Fair Good Excellent
Largemouth Bass     yes  
Catfish     yes  
Crappie     yes  
White Bass     yes  
Sunfish yes      
Fishing Cover/Structure

Gently sloping banks, flooded timber, and an abundance and variety of aquatic vegetation offer anglers plenty of diverse cover to fish. Numerous boat houses and docks offer additional cover. Five freshwater fish reefs were added to this lake. Anglers may use GPS in conjunction with a fish finder to locate these reefs.

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

Tips & Tactics

During February and April, anglers find largemouth bass in the middle of their spawn. Any of the major creeks can be productive for bass in the spring, but look for the ones with the warmest water. Fish the backs of the creeks and protected main lake coves with vegetation on the northern shoreline. Large willow leaf spinner baits in white or chartreuse, or jig and pork combinations in black/blue and black/chartreuse are excellent baits for springtime bass. From May through September, bass anglers are most successful fishing off points on the main lake around vegetation or submerged timber. Points bordering deep water are best. Plastic worms, spinner baits, buzz baits, and chugger type baits can all be good during summer months. From October through December, many bass migrate to the backs of the creeks, often in the same areas where they were concentrated in the spring. Plastic worms and spinner baits are good choices throughout the fall.

All three catfish species can be caught year-round, but fishing is best in May and June when they are spawning. Most spawning occurs in shallow coves or along cut banks in submerged timber or sparse, large rock, with adjacent deep water. Channels and blues can be caught in warmer weather by drift fishing across shallow main lake flats with cut shad, shrimp, worms, or commercial dough or dip baits. Flatheads generally prefer live bait, but very fresh cut bait can be used. Flathead anglers should target areas with timber and brush piles along cut banks at night. Trotlining is a popular and effective method for catching all three species, and is generally more productive in the upper parts of the lake.

Crappie fishing can be great in spring when fish are in shallow water for spawning. Most spawn in shallow coves and in the backs of creeks. During summer, fishing can be good as crappie gather around large solitary trees in the mouths of creeks and on main lake points, suspending 10 to 20 feet deep. Medium-sized minnows and small marabou or tube jigs are good choices. White bass migrate up the Navasota river to spawn in early spring. They can be found schooling on windy main lake points throughout most of the year. Tail spinners, spoons, and small jigs are good bait choices. Sunfish anglers can enjoy limited success in April and May by fishing spawning beds in shallow coves with sandy bottoms with crickets, mealworms, or garden worms.