Mill Creek Reservoir
Quick Links: Fishing Regulations | Angling Opportunities | Cover & Structure | Tips & Tactics
Lake Characteristics
Location: On Mill Creek, a tributary of
the Sabine River, on Arnold Paul Road off Texas 243 in Canton,
Van Zandt County
Surface area: 237 acres
Maximum depth: 25 feet
Impounded: 1976
Water Conditions
Fluctuation: Moderate, 2-4
feet
Normal Clarity: Stained
Reservoir Controlling Authority
City of Canton
PO Box 245
Canton, Texas 75103
(903) 567-2826
Aquatic Vegetation
Aquatic vegetation in Mill Creek Reservoir has recently been limited. Emergent species predominate, but submerged types such as coontail and bushy pondweed are scarce. The invasive aquatic species alligatorweed does provide some additional cover. Hydrilla is found in limited amounts.
Predominant Fish Species
Lake Maps
No free maps available. Topographic maps may be available from online sources.
Fishing Regulations
Most species are currently managed under statewide regulations. The exception is largemouth bass. For this fish, length limit is a 14-21 slot. Bass 14 inches and less or 21 inches or greater in length may be retained. Only one bass 21 inches or greater may be retained each day.
Angling Opportunities
Largemouth bass is the most popular sportfish and this reservoir has has produced trophy fish in the past. The quality of the crappie fishery is sporadic but occasionally good. Blue and channel catfish have been stocked, but are generally uncommon.
| Species | Poor | Fair | Good | Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass |  |
|||
| Catfish |  |
|||
| Crappie |  |
Fishing Cover/Structure
Flooded timber provides limited cover. Overhanging brush and emergent vegetation along the shore provide most of the available fish habitat in the reservoir.
Tips & Tactics
Largemouth bass in the spring can be caught shallow along shorelines with overhanging brush and reeds with soft-plastics, jigs, and creature baits. In the summer, as bass move to deeper water, Carolina-rigged soft-plastics presented close to the bottom can be productive. Crappie can be found in the shallows spawning in the early spring. During the rest of the year, crappie will shadow schools of shad in the main lake. Using sonar to locate brush piles and/or schools of shad will often lead you to nearby crappie. Try using small hand-tied jigs and minnows for crappie.
