TPWD District Fisheries Office

5325 N. 3rd
Abilene, Texas 79603
(325) 692-0921
Michael Homer, Biologist

About the Area

Nearby State Parks

 

Hords Creek Reservoir

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


BOATER ADVISORY: Zebra mussels have invaded this reservoir! CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY your boat, trailer, livewells/bait buckets, and other gear before traveling to another water body. Draining water is required by law and possession and transport of zebra mussels is illegal.

Some parks and boat ramps are closed due to flood damage. Check the Army Corps of Engineers closure report for status updates.

Lake Characteristics

Location: On Hords Creek in Coleman County, 63 miles south of Abilene and about 10 miles west of Coleman
Surface area: 510 acres
Maximum depth: 39 feet
Impounded: 1948

Water Conditions

Current Lake Level
Conservation Pool Elevation: 1,900 ft. msl
Fluctuation: Moderate, sometimes prone to long periods with dropping water levels
Normal Clarity: Slightly stained to clear with visibility up to 4 feet

Reservoir Controlling Authority

US Army Corps of Engineers
HCR 75, Box 33
Coleman, Texas 76834
(325) 625-2322

Aquatic Vegetation

Floating-leaf pondweed and water willow

Predominant Fish Species

Lake Records
Stocking History
Latest Survey Report

Lake Maps

A contour map is available. Download the map or pick up a copy at the Abilene fisheries office, (325) 692-0921.

Fishing Regulations

All species are currently managed under statewide regulations.

Angling Opportunities

The reservoir is known for its largemouth bass fishing, but populations of flathead catfish and sunfish should not be overlooked. Florida largemouth bass were introduced in 1986.

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

A variety of cover and structure is scattered throughout the reservoir including some aquatic vegetation, dead submerged brush, black willow trees, rocky ledges and points, a rip-rap dam, and several well-defined creek channels. When the reservoir is low, fishing cover is primarily restricted to rocky structure and some brush.

Man-made structures have been used to create artificial fish habitat in this reservoir. The fish habitat structures were placed by TPWD in cooperation with the Still Water Bass Club. 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

Largemouth bass fishing is often very good, especially in the spring. Jigs and crankbaits are good in the early spring and late winter. As water warms, suspending jerkbaits and floating worms, buzzbaits, and spinnerbaits become productive. Trotlines baited along creek channels and steep, rocky banks are effective for flathead catfish. For kids seeking sunfish, small pieces of night crawlers and mealworms fished with number 6 cricket hooks under a cork or on the bottom can be a lot of fun.