TPWD District Fisheries Office

3407-A S. Chadbourne
San Angelo, Texas 76903
(325) 651-5556
Lynn Wright, Biologist

About the Area

Local Information

Nearby State Parks

 

O.H. Ivie Lake

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


Lake Characteristics

Location: On the Colorado and Concho Rivers in Concho, Coleman, and Runnels counties, 55 miles east of San Angelo
Surface area: 19,149 acres
Maximum depth: 119 feet
Impounded: 1990

Water Conditions

Current Lake Level
Conservation Pool Elevation: 1551.5 ft. msl
Fluctuation: 6-10 feet annually
Normal Clarity: Clear in the main lake and Concho arm, turbid in the Colorado arm

Reservoir Controlling Authority

Colorado River Municipal Water District
PO Box 869
Big Spring, Texas 79721-0869
(432) 267-6341

Aquatic Vegetation

Sago and American pondweed, marine naiad, and hydrilla

Predominant Fish Species

Lake Records
Current Fishing Report
Stocking History
Latest Survey Report

Lake Maps

Free maps showing recreation areas are available from the controlling authority and from marinas and businesses that sell access permits. More detailed lake maps are available at sporting goods and tackle stores.

Fishing Regulations

This reservoir has special regulations on some fishes. See bag and size limits for this lake.

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

Cover in the reservoir is primarily standing timber. The trees and brush were not cleared from the reservoir basin before the lake was impounded, so there are thousands of acres of flooded mesquite, oak, and juniper trees in all parts of the reservoir. Flooded saltcedar also makes up a large proportion of the fish cover. Native vegetation and hydrilla occurs in the main part of the lake and is spreading up the Colorado River and Concho River arms. The structure in the main part of the reservoir is mostly rock. In the river arms it is mostly mud flats.

Tips & Tactics

Largemouth bass are caught using live bait and artificial baits around the aquatic vegetation and standing timber. Another effective bass technique is flipping jigs or soft plastics into the saltcedar. Trophy-sized fish are caught on Carolina-rigged plastic worms, minnows and water dogs fished off deep (20+ feet) humps and drop-offs. Catfish are caught all over the reservoir using live and cut baits. Crappie fishing is usually best at night. Most white bass fishing is done by trolling crank baits in the main part of the reservoir near the dam.