TPWD District Fisheries Office

8684 LaVillage Avenue
Waco, Texas 76712
(254) 666-5190
Michael Baird, Biologist

About the Area
 

Stillhouse Hollow 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.

Lake Characteristics

Location: Five miles west of Belton off US 190
Surface area: 6,429 acres
Maximum depth: 107 feet
Impounded: 1968

Water Conditions

Current Lake Level
Conservation Pool Elevation: 622 ft. msl
Fluctuation: 3-4 feet
Normal Clarity: Very clear

Reservoir Controlling Authority

US Army Corps of Engineers
Belton/Stillhouse Hollow Lake
3740 FM 1670
Belton, Texas 76513
(254) 939-2461

Aquatic Vegetation

Hydrilla

Predominant Fish Species

Lake Records
Current Fishing Report
Stocking History
Latest Survey Report

Lake Maps

Available at local tackle shops

Fishing Regulations

All species are currently managed with statewide regulations.

Angling Opportunities

Largemouth bass is the most abundant sportfish in the reservoir, although there is also a good population of smallmouth bass. Fair to good populations of channel catfish are also available.

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

Stillhouse Hollow is an extremely clear and deep reservoir. The main lake area is dominated by steep rocky shoreline with limited amounts of standing timber. There are also numerous beds of hydrilla in the lower lake. The upper lake and river areas are slightly stained with numerous laydowns, brush piles, and standing timber. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recently worked with local partners to add fish attracting structure at four sites.

Use the Habitat Structure Viewer for an interactive map of fish habitat structures and downloadable GPS coordinates.

Tips & Tactics

Largemouth bass fishing is best during spring and fall when water temperatures range from the mid-50s to the mid-70s. At first light, topwater baits fished on rocky points or over hydrilla beds can be good. Later in the day, drop a heavy jig or large worm into matted hydrilla in 5'-15' of water. Smallmouth bass can be good year round. Topwaters and crankbaits fished around rocky points and riprap can be very productive. Channel catfish can be caught throughout the year. Drift fishing with shad across the flats is usually good. Trotlining is best in the upper lake. Flathead catfish are most often caught by trotliners using live sunfish on the upper lake. Crappie are caught most often in cedar bushes and other submerged brush piles. White bass fishing is best in early spring during the spawn which occurs upriver from the lake, usually in March.