Fishing
- Possession and Transport of Exotic Aquatic Species
- Licenses & Regulations
- ShareLunkers
- Fish Identification
- Fish Consumption
- Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
Water Resources
- Texas Reservoir Levels
- US Army Corps of Engineers
- Texas Water Issues
- Golden Alga
- Aquatic Vegetation
3407-A S. Chadbourne
San Angelo, Texas 76903
(325) 651-5556
Lynn Wright, Biologist
Local Information
- CRMWD lake page
- Coleman County Chamber of Commerce
(325) 625-2163 - Ballinger Chamber of Commerce
(325) 365-5611
Nearby State Parks
O.H. Ivie Lake
Quick Links: Fishing Regulations | Angling Opportunities | Cover & Structure | Tips & Tactics
BOATER ADVISORY: Zebra mussels have invaded this reservoir! CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY your boat, trailer, livewells/bait buckets, and other gear before traveling to another water body. Draining water is required by law and possession and transport of zebra mussels is illegal.
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 |  |
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| Smallmouth Bass |  |
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| Catfish |  |
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| Crappie |  |
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| White Bass |  |
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| Sunfish |  |
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.