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 Maps
A park map is available at park headquarters.
Fishing Regulations
This state park lake is subject to special regulations for Community Fishing Lakes. All fishing must be with pole and line (no trotlines or juglines). For blue and channel catfish, the daily bag limit is 5 in any combination, with no minimum length limit. Other species are managed under statewide regulations.
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 |  |
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| Catfish |  |
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| Crappie |  |
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| Sunfish |  |
Fishing Cover/Structure
The lake has plenty of submerged aquatic vegetation in the form of bushy pondweed and coontail. There are also stands of floating pondweed and American lotus. There is some submerged brush and rip-rap along the dam.
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.
