TPWD District Fisheries Office

PO Box 1446
Pottsboro, Texas 75076
(903) 786-2389
Dan Bennett, Biologist

About the Area

Local Information

  • Bonham Chamber of Commerce
    (903) 583-4811

Nearby State Parks

 

Bonham State Park Lake

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


Lake Characteristics

Location: In Bonham State Park southeast of Bonham off Texas Highway 78
Surface area: 65 acres
Maximum depth: 19 feet
Impounded: 1934, renovated 1959

Water Conditions

Conservation Pool Elevation: 608 ft. msl
Fluctuation: Minimal
Normal Clarity: Moderate

Reservoir Controlling Authority

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
(903) 583-5022

Aquatic Vegetation

Bushy pondweed, American lotus, black willow, cattail, buttonbush, and floating pondweed

Predominant Fish Species

Lake Records
Stocking History

Lake Maps

A park map is available at park headquarters.

Fishing Regulations

Being located within a state park, this lake is regulated as a Community Fishing Lake.

Angling Opportunities

Bonham State Park Lake is a quiet little body of water nestled in the rolling hills of central Fannin County. Surrounded completely by state park property, this picturesque lake offers the ultimate in quiet-time fishing for the big four: largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, and bluegill.

Species Poor Fair Good Excellent
Largemouth Bass   yes    
Catfish     yes  
Crappie   yes    
Sunfish       yes
Fishing Cover/Structure

The lake has submerged aquatic vegetation in the form of bushy pondweed and coontail. There are also stands of floating pondweed and American lotus. Some submerged brush and rip-rap exist along the dam. Fish-attracting structure has been added to this lake. Anglers may use GPS in conjunction with a fish finder to locate these structures.

Use the Habitat Structure Viewer for an interactive map of fish habitat structures and downloadable GPS coordinates.

Tips & Tactics

Fish for bass with topwater baits early and late, spinners in the spring, a Texas rigged plastic worm or grub in the summer, and crankbaits in the fall and winter. A canoe, kayak, or float tube works great fishing this lake. Shrimp, worms, or catfish stinkbait works for the channel catfish most any time, with the best action in late spring and early summer. Crappie school and go deep in the summer and winter, but can be found shallow in the spring and fall. Good catches are made on jigs and minnows. Bluegill are a "worm-fished-under-a-cork" angler's dream. Kids love them and Bonham State Park Lake is loaded.