Fishing Lakes In West Texas
Guide to fishing in West TX
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.
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
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.
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
World record: 22 lbs 4 oz
State Record: 18.18 lbs
Smallmouth bass
World record: 11 lbs 15 oz
State Record: 7.93 lbs
Spotted bass
World record: 9 lbs 8 oz
State Record: 5.56 lbs
Fishing for catfish in West Texas
Channel catfish
World record: 58 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 36.5 lbs
Flathead catfish
World record: 123 lbs 9 oz
State Record: 98.5 lbs
Blue catfish
World record: 143 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 121.5 lbs
Fishing for crappie in West Texas
Black crappie
World record: 6 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 3.92 lbs
White crappie
World record: 5 lbs 3 oz
State Record: 4.56 lbs
Fishing for walleye in West Texas
Walleye
World record: 25 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 11.88 lbs
Fishing for trout in West Texas
Rainbow trout
World record: 42 lbs 2 oz
State Record: 8.92 lbs
Fishing for panfish in West Texas
Bluegill
World record: 4 lbs 12 oz
State Record: 2.02 lbs
Green sunfish
World record: 2.2 lbs
State Record: 1.30 lbs
Hybrid sunfish
World record: N/A
State Record: 1.73 lbs
Redbreast sunfish
World record: 2 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 1.63 lbs
Redear sunfish
World record: 5.4 lbs
State Record: 2.99 lbs
Tilapia
World record: 9.6 lbs
State Record: 7.75 lbs
Warmouth
World record: 2.4 lbs
State Record: 1.30 lbs
White Bass
World record: 6.8 lbs
State Record: 5.56 lbs
Yellow perch
World record: 4 lbs 3 oz
State Record: 1.04 lbs
Fishing for striped bass in West Texas
Striper
World record: 81 lbs 14 oz
State Record: 53.0 lbs
Hybrid Striped Bass
US record: 27 lbs 5 oz
State Record: 19.66 lbs
Fishing for other species in West Texas
Alligator gar
World record: 279.0 lbs*
State Record: 279.0 lbs
Longnose gar
World record: 50 lbs 5 oz
State Record: 50.31 lbs
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:
West TX Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
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.
083024*
TEXAS
Information about fishing lakes in West Texas
