Crook Lake

Blue and channel catfish provide a limited sport fishery and many fish are of harvestable size. Prepared catfish baits and live bait such as shad or worms are effective baits for catfish. Largemouth bass catch rates are low, but this population is one of a few in Texas that contains no Florida bass. Crappie are abundant in the reservoir, but the population is dominated by small individuals.

Aquatic vegetation includes Emergent varieties such as cutgrass and bulrush are abundant along shoreline. The age of the reservoir combined with the high turbidity limits the amount of submerged aquatic vegetation.

Largemouth bass fishing at Crook Lake peaks during spring pre-spawn when fish move to shallow flats and points — work Texas-rigged soft plastics, lipless crankbaits, and spinnerbaits for best results. Catfish are productive year-round; cut shad, chicken liver, or prepared stink bait fished on the bottom near structure produces steady action from spring through fall. Target crappie around any available timber or brush piles with small jigs or live minnows — late winter and early spring are prime when fish move shallow to spawn.

All species at Crook Lake are managed under standard Texas statewide regulations.