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Fishing Lakes In West Texas

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Guide to fishing in West TX

By AA-Fishing Staff Writers

Fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, tilapia, warmouth, white bass, yellow perch, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, alligator gar, longnose gar and spotted gar at lakes in West Texas.
  • Alan Henry Reservoir, TX
  • Amistad Reservoir, TX
  • Champion Creek Lake, TX
  • Lake E V Spence, TX
  • Lake J B Thomas, TX
  • Lake Nasworthy, TX
  • Meredith Reservoir, TX
  • O C Fisher Reservoir, TX
  • Oak Creek Reservoir, TX
  • Twin Buttes Reservoir, TX
  • White River Reservoir, TX

The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing lakes in the western part of the state, and the species found in each lake.

West Texas is home to several fantastic fishing lakes that offer diverse angling experiences. When it comes to warm water lakes, O.H. Ivie Reservoir stands out as a premier destination. Known for its excellent bass fishing, O.H. Ivie Reservoir attracts anglers seeking trophy-sized largemouth bass. Other warm water lakes in West Texas include Lake Meredith and Lake Stamford, where anglers can target species such as catfish, crappie, and sunfish.

For those seeking cold water fisheries, Lake Alan Henry is a top choice in West Texas. This reservoir is known for its crystal-clear waters and is stocked with rainbow trout, making it a prime spot for trout fishing. Another notable cold water lake is Lake JB Thomas, where anglers can target a variety of trout species, including rainbow trout and brown trout.

In addition to these warm and cold water lakes, West Texas is home to numerous ponds and small lakes that offer excellent fishing opportunities. These smaller bodies of water often hold various species, including bass, catfish, and sunfish. They provide a peaceful and secluded setting for anglers to enjoy a day of fishing.

Overall, West Texas offers a range of fishing experiences, from warm water lakes known for bass fishing to cold water lakes stocked with trout. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner, West Texas has something to offer for everyone who seeks an enjoyable day of fishing.

Major West Texas Lakes & Species

West Texas major lakes and fish chart

Lake & Fish Chart For Western Texas

Major fishing waters in West TX, cross referenced with fish species in each lake. For a more complete list of fish species in West Texas, see the list below.

West Texas Fishing Lake Sizes & Locations

Amistad Reservoir is a 64,900-acre reservoir on the southwest border of the state, at Del Rio.

Balmorhea Lake is a 570-acre lake in the eastern part of the state, at the town of Balmorhea.

Champion Creek Reservoir is a 1,580-acre lake in the west-central part of the state, 5 miles south of Colorado City.

E V Spence Reservoir (Lake E V Spence) is an 11,600-acre lake in the west-central part of the state, at Robert Lee.

Lake Alan Henry is a 2,900-acre lake in the west-central part of the state, at Justiceburg TX.

Lake J B Thomas (J B Thomas Reservoir) is a 7,300-acre lake in the west-central part of the state, 8 miles west of Ira.

Lake Meredith is a 16,000-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, north of Amarillo.

Lake Nasworthy is a 1,380-acre lake in the central part of the state, at San Angelo TX.

New Ballinger Lake is a 575-acre lake in the west-central part of the state, at the town of Ballinger.

O C Fisher Reservoir (O C Fisher Lake) is a 5,400-acre lake in the central part of the state, at San Angelo.

Oak Creek Reservoir (Oak Creek Lake) is a 2,370-acre lake in the west-central part of the state, at Blackwell.

Twin Buttes Reservoir is a 9,000-acre lake in the central part of the state, at San Angelo.

White River Reservoir is a 1,400-acre lake in the northwest part of the state, 40 miles east of Lubbock TX.

Click here for a list of popular marinas on fishing lakes in West Texas.

See lists of lakes in East Texas, or and Central Texas.

Select A Fish Species

Fish Species & State Records in West Texas

Primary fish species residing in West Texas Lakes

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Fishing for bass in West Texas

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass

World record: 22 lbs 4 oz

State Record: 18.18 lbs

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass

World record: 11 lbs 15 oz

State Record: 7.93 lbs

Spotted Bass

Spotted bass

World record: 9 lbs 8 oz

State Record: 5.56 lbs

Fishing for catfish in West Texas

Channel Catfish

Channel catfish

World record: 58 lbs 0 oz

State Record: 36.5 lbs

Flathead Catfish

Flathead catfish

World record: 123 lbs 9 oz

State Record: 98.5 lbs

Blue Catfish

Blue catfish

World record: 143 lbs 0 oz

State Record: 121.5 lbs

Fishing for crappie in West Texas

Black Crappie

Black crappie

World record: 6 lbs 0 oz

State Record: 3.92 lbs

White Crappie

White crappie

World record: 5 lbs 3 oz

State Record: 4.56 lbs

Fishing for walleye in West Texas

Walleye

Walleye

World record: 25 lbs 0 oz

State Record: 11.88 lbs

Fishing for trout in West Texas

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout

World record: 42 lbs 2 oz

State Record: 8.92 lbs

Fishing for panfish in West Texas

Bluegill

Bluegill

World record: 4 lbs 12 oz

State Record: 2.02 lbs

Green Sunfish

Green sunfish

World record: 2.2 lbs

State Record: 1.30 lbs

Hybrid Sunfish

Hybrid sunfish

World record: N/A

State Record: 1.73 lbs

Redbreast Sunfish

Redbreast sunfish

World record: 2 lbs 0 oz

State Record: 1.63 lbs

Redear Sunfish

Redear sunfish

World record: 5.4 lbs

State Record: 2.99 lbs

Tilapia

Tilapia

World record: 9.6 lbs

State Record: 7.75 lbs

Warmouth

Warmouth

World record: 2.4 lbs

State Record: 1.30 lbs

White Bass

White Bass

World record: 6.8 lbs

State Record: 5.56 lbs

Yellow Perch

Yellow perch

World record: 4 lbs 3 oz

State Record: 1.04 lbs

Fishing for striped bass in West Texas

Striped Bass

Striper

World record: 81 lbs 14 oz

State Record: 53.0 lbs

Hybrid Striped Bass

Hybrid Striped Bass

US record: 27 lbs 5 oz

State Record: 19.66 lbs

Fishing for other species in West Texas

Alligator Gar

Alligator gar

World record: 279.0 lbs*

State Record: 279.0 lbs

Longnose Gar

Longnose gar

World record: 50 lbs 5 oz

State Record: 50.31 lbs

Spotted Gar

Spotted gar

World record: 9 lbs 12 oz

State Record: 9.81 lbs

Click here for a Texas Fishing License.

Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby Lakes In West TX

Each major lake in western Texas is featured in this website with an entire page dedicated to everything you need to know about that lake. On those pages are lists of camping facilities at, or nearby, each lake. Begin your search by clicking here:

Pick A Lake

West TX Map - Fishing & Camping Areas

Pick A Lake

West TX Fishing Video

Contact Information

Texas Parks & Wildlife
West Texas Wildlife Law Enforcement Office
1702 Landmark Lane, Suite 1
Lubbock, TX 79415
806 761-4930

 

Fishing lakes in each state.

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