fishing lake jacksonville

For the Lake Survey Report from Texas Parks & Wildlife,
click here.

---

Lake Characteristics
Location: 3 miles southwest of Jacksonville off US 79
Surface area: 1,320 acres
Maximum depth: 62 feet
Impounded: 1957

Water Conditions
Current Lake Level: Click chart to view current data

Conservation Pool Elevation: 422 ft. msl
Fluctuation: 3 feet
Normal Clarity: Clear to fairly clear
Reservoir Controlling Authority:
Jacksonville Municipal Water Supply
PO Box 1390, Jacksonville, Texas 75766, (903) 586-3510

Fishing Maps
Click image to view large map with contours, facilities, etc.

This map was developed before 1957, and depicts the depth of waters below the lake's surface and the location of the old creek channels -– a great map for fishing enthusiasts who want to locate the best spots for angling. Click for larger view

.

Fish Species
Largemouth Bass (Black Bass) Spotted Bass (Kentucky Bass)      Distinguishing Largemouth from Spotted Bass White Bass (Sand Bass)      Ways to Identify White Bass White Çrappie (White Perch) Black Crappie (Calico Bass)	Sunfish (Bluegill, Bream, Brim) Blue Catfish Channel Catfish      Distinguishing Blue Catfish from Channel Catfish Flathead Catfish (Opelousa, Mud Cat) Triploid Grass Carp (White Amur) Common Carp

Lake Fish Records

Species	Weight	Length	Date	Angler	Bait or Lure
ROD AND REEL and TROTLINE
Bass, Largemouth	15.12	27.80	Apr 3, 1986	Melvin Berry
Bass, Spotted	0.94	12.88	Sep 14, 2002	Sally Dugan
Bass, White	2.54	17.63	Jun 1, 2001	Gary Dugan
Bluegill	0.35	7.50	Apr 12, 2005	Jacob George	Earthworm
Sunfish, Green	0.19	6.50	Jul 29, 2004	Clifford Hilbert	Fly Rod, JB's Spider
Catfish, Blue	72.25	48.00	Apr 11, 1999	Frank Diamont	Trotline
Sunfish, Longear	0.44	8.00	Apr 12, 2003	Clifford Hilbert	Fly Rod, Green's Special
Sunfish, Other Hybrid	0.53	8.50	Jul 29, 2004	Clifford Hilbert	Fly Rod, JB's Spider
Sunfish, Redbreast	0.69	10.00	Jul 29, 2004	Clifford Hilbert	Fly Rod, JB's Spider
Sunfish, Redear	0.65	9.50	Jul 29, 2004	Clifford Hilbert	Fly Rod, JB's Spider
FLY FISHING
Bass, Largemouth	2.90	18.50	Jul 29, 2004	Clifford Hilbert	Popping Bug
Bass, Spotted	0.44	10.00	Aug 13, 2004	Clifford Hilbert	DDR's Bugger
Bluegill	0.31	7.00	Apr 12, 2003	Clifford Hilbert	Green's Special
Sunfish, Green	0.19	6.50	Jul 29, 2004	Clifford Hilbert	JB's Spider
Sunfish, Longear	0.44	8.00	Apr 12, 2003	Clifford Hilbert	Green's Special
Sunfish, Other Hybrid	0.53	8.50	Jul 29, 2004	Clifford Hilbert	JB's Spider
Sunfish, Redbreast	0.69	10.00	Jul 29, 2004	Clifford Hilbert	JB's Spider
Sunfish, Redear	0.65	9.50	Jul 29, 2004	Clifford Hilbert	JB's Spider

Stocking History
.

Species	Year	Number Stocked	Size
Bass, Florida Largemouth	2007	120,790	Fingerling
Bass, Florida Largemouth	2006	86,081	Fingerling
Bass, Florida Largemouth	2005	441,000	Fry
Bass, Florida Largemouth	2000	135,222	Fingerling
Bass, Florida Largemouth	1999	135,300	Fingerling
Bass, Florida Largemouth	1979	4,000	Fingerling
Bass, Florida Largemouth	1978	138,053	Fingerling
Bass, Florida Largemouth	1977	85,000	Fry
Bass, Florida Largemouth	1977	47,200	Fingerling
Bass, Florida Largemouth	1976	138,000	Fingerling
Bass, Florida Largemouth	1975	67,000	Fingerling
Bass, Largemouth	1974	24,000
Bass, Largemouth	1973	4,000
Bass, Palmetto (Striped X White)	1983	14,584
Bass, Palmetto (Striped X White)	1981	16,349
Bass, Palmetto (Striped X White)	1979	14,000
Bass, Palmetto (Striped X White)	1974	15,000
Carp, Grass	2007	2,500	Adult
Carp, Grass	2006	1,390	Adult
Catfish, Blue	1987	6,149	Fingerling
Catfish, Blue	1975	2,000
Catfish, Channel	1994	295	Adult
Catfish, Channel	1986	4,011	Fry
Catfish, Channel	1983	4,000
Catfish, Channel	1982	4,000
Catfish, Channel	1981	2,000
Catfish, Channel	1980	2,000
Catfish, Channel	1979	4,000
Catfish, Channel	1978	17,500
Catfish, Channel	1974	2,000
Catfish, Channel	1973	2,000
Catfish, Channel	1971	2,000
Catfish, Channel	1970	2,000
Catfish, Channel	1969	2,500
Catfish, Channel	1968	2,500
Catfish, Channel	1967	2,000
Crappie, Black	1992	85,312	Fry
Crappie, Black	1990	69,638	Fry
Crappie, Black	1988	118,946	Fingerling
Crappie, Black	1970	2,000
Crappie, Black	1969	2,000
Crappie, Black	1968	1,500
Crappie, White	1988	180,143	Fingerling

Fishing Regulations
Most species are managed with statewide regulations. One exception is a minimum length limit of 18 inches for Largemouth Bass (also known as Black Bass). The daily bag limit for Largemouth and Spotted Bass (also known as Kentucky Bass) is five fish in any combination. A Triploid Grass Carp Permit is in effect on this lake. If a grass carp is caught, it must be immediately returned to the water unharmed. Bowfishing for grass carp is strictly prohibited.

Fishing Cover/Structure
Hydrilla has become a problem in the upper end of the lake and along the lake margins as far downlake as the marina. The City of Jacksonville is under an integrated management plan using chemical, biological, and environmental intervention to combat the problem. Lake Jacksonville is currently one of seven lakes under the statewide habitat initiative and receives annual plantings of 21 species of native aquatic vegetation. Its topography is steeper than most East Texas lakes and features abundant iron ore rock substrate on points and riprap along the dam.

Anglers need to find deep structure to catch a volume of fish. Largemouth Bass should be sought along the face of the dam and around patches of native vegetation in Cat Creek and Byrd Branch. Dropoffs along the island across from the marina can also be productive.

For contour and landmarks, click here for a Fishing Map of Lake Jacksonville.

Facilities
The Lake Jacksonville Concession Area maintains ten screened shelters, seven camping sites with water and electricity, and ten R.V. pads with water and electricity. There are three boat ramps on the lake and two public swimming areas. The camping area also has restroom facilities with showers for the campers.

There are picnic tables in the public area, which is located by one of the swimming areas.

For information on renting an RV pad, shelter or campsite on Lake Jacksonville, click here.