Lake Mineral Wells

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

This lake is located within Lake Mineral Wells State Park, which may be closed for wildlife management activities on occasion. Check the park web page for closure notices and dates.

Public Access Facilities

Lake Characteristics

Location: Immediately east of Mineral Wells off US 180
Surface area: 440 acres
Maximum depth: 30 feet
Impounded: 1920

Water Conditions

Current Lake Level
Conservation Pool Elevation: 863 ft. msl
Fluctuation: Very little
Normal Clarity: Stained

Reservoir Controlling Authority

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Lake Mineral Wells State Park
100 Park Road 71
Mineral Wells, TX 76067
(940) 328-1171

Aquatic Vegetation

Native emergent vegetation includes water willow and bulrush and rings most the shoreline.

Predominant Fish Species

• Largemouth bass
• Channel catfish
• Crappie

Lake Records
Stocking History
Latest Survey Report

Lake Maps

Available at state park office

Fishing Regulations

This lake is located totally within the boundaries of Lake Mineral Wells State Park, and is therefore regulated as a Community Fishing Lake.

Angling Opportunities

Species	Poor	Fair	Good	Excellent
Largemouth Bass
Catfish
Crappie
Sunfish

Fishing Cover/Structure

TPWD installed "crappie condos" in 2015 with funding from the largemouth bass conservation license plate. These structures can be found near the fishing piers. Anglers may also find submerged brush piles along the dam, isolated submerged brush piles, water willow and submerged boulders along the shoreline, and some standing timber in the upper end. If you can locate the opening to Rippy Branch in the upper end of the lake, you will find some good deep holes for bass and catfish. The entire stretch of the stream is shaded by overhanging tree limbs. You might even be treated to a deer swimming across the branch.
See fish habitat structure map | Get downloadable files

Tips & Tactics

Fish the edge of the water willow and dam with spinner baits in the spring for largemouth 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. In the spring they move into the shallow shoreline to spawn. Jigs or minnows are baits of choice.Channel Catfish can be caught on worms, liver, blood bait, crawfish, cheese, or cut bait from late winter through the fall.