Fishing at Possum Kingdom Lake
Two hours west of Fort Worth, visitors who curl off Texas Highway 16 and ride down the east shoreline of Possum Kingdom Lake see RV parks and campgrounds, small-town gas pumps and scrub brush. Rumbling along past the chaparral, it can be difficult to know that not far off lies over 300 miles of shoreline holding nearly 20,000 acres of winding, glimmering trophy bass waters.
Possum Kingdom Lake is one of the most popular fishing spots in North Central Texas. Born from the Brazos River and a 1936 Brazos River Authority reservoir project, the complex aquatic ecosystems and habitats within the cool dark water are home to various species of fighting fish, all of them with an appetite.
Recreation map courtesy of The Brazos River Authority
Possum Kingdom Lake fishing resources
As your friendly neighborhood marina, you can trust the Cliffs Marina to provide you with the most accurate and trustworthy information about Possum Kingdom Lake. Below are valuable and verified resources you can use to become the best angler you can be.
Types of fish in Possum Kingdom Lake
In 1938, Possum Kingdom Lake became the first water supply reservoir constructed in the Brazos River basin. Since then, the organic reservoir aging process has taken a toll on the extensive ecosystem. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has stocked more than 900,000 Florida largemouth bass fingerlings, 994,000 striped bass fry, 726,000 striped bass fingerlings, and 149,000 smallmouth bass fingerlings to boost the fish populations since 2021. In 2024 alone, Texas Parks and Wildlife inserted more than 300,000 striped, smallmouth, and Lone Star bass into the lake for sport.
There are plenty of fish in Possum Kingdom Lake, but what do you know about them and where they hide?
In Possum Kingdom Lake, striped bass can grow to 34 pounds. In fact, it’s a lake record. In recent years, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has stocked the lake, introducing hundreds of thousands of fingerlings into a habitat conducive to growing a good population of fighting bass.
As you set out on your excursion, keep an eye out for birds feasting on the water. The hungry striped bass drive the live bait to the surface and frequent the more open and deeper parts of the lake near the dam. For your bait, live shad or herring hooked through the lips on a circle hook is one of the most enticing sights for a striper. Mackerel, worms, and crawfish – they’ll smash them, too.
Photo credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
White bass measure an average of 12.5 inches, usually weigh around one pound, and are frequent in the deep water. Known as “Golden Eye,” these fish can provide much excitement during the pre-spawn and spring spawning season since the males migrate to spawning areas nearly up to a month before females do.
A prime spot to fish for white bass during this time is north towards the mouth of the river around centerline buoy 125. White bass will hit jigs and spoons, spinners, or just as likely go right after your minnow. They’re considered a panfish but will strike like a heavyweight, and are known to be especially aggressive toward trolling bait.
Photo credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
On any stretch of Possum Kingdom Lake water, you’ll find largemouth bass and its cousins like the Florida-strain largemouth bass. One of the most common yet sought bass, this predator looks for cover in logs, rock ledges, vegetation, and man-made and artificial habitats. The coordinates of these structures have been provided by the Brazos River Authority.
Photo credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
The crappie population is decent in the lake, with the best time to catch them during spring spawning season. Fish in the backs of coves and shallow water during this time while they’re easy to locate. When the season gets hotter, crappie move to deeper, cooler water – this makes for great night fishing. Then just as cooler weather rolls in, the fish make their way to shallower waters again.
Photo credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Channel, blue, and flathead catfish
These bottom feeders will make you feel like you’re at the top of the food chain. Channel, blue, and flathead catfish are all present in Possum Kingdom Lake. Reportedly, the blue catfish can grow particularly large averaging up to two feet in length and weighing more than 100 pounds. You don’t need to fish one particular piece of the lake to pull in a channel cat – they’re everywhere, particularly fond of the classic worm, and are highly active during night fishing.
Channel catfish
Photo credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Blue catfish
Photo credit: USFWS/Duane Raver
Flathead catfish
Photo credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Catfish will also suck down chicken livers, prepped stick bait, and live shiners or sunfish.
The various catfish species are impressive. Channel catfish have a reputation for being delicious, especially served blackened or in a po-boy.
Fishing spots on Possum Kingdom Lake
Possum Kingdom Lake is a large body of water, and crawling the lake until you find a favorite spot makes it that much more rewarding when the spot pays off.
Costello Island
Costello Island on Possum Kingdom Lake is a successful fishing spot for anglers because of the deep water, drop-offs, and rocks surrounding the island’s shoreline. Located north of The Cliffs Marina, rent a boat to reach this spot easily.
Hell’s Gate and Devil’s Island
Hell’s Gate and Devil’s Island make up one of Possum Kingdom Lake’s most recognizable natural landmarks. This rock formation and small island have plenty of cover and nooks and crannies for the schools of fish to hide and explore – making it a desirable fishing spot.
Photo credit: PossumKingdomLake.com
Photo credit: Brazos River Authority
Enhanced Habitats
Possum Kingdom Lake is curated with man-made structures designed to improve the quality of life of the reservoir fish. The enhanced habitats, located in 16 different places around the lake, created spaces for fish to spawn, feed, breed, and grow to maturity. As the population grows, the structures provide support and foster opportunities.
Check out a map of all the enhanced habitats on Possum Kingdom Lake here.
When you begin to plan your boating and fishing adventure, reach any of these fishing spots easily by renting a boat at The Cliffs Marina. Ask our friendly staff any questions you might have regarding boat rentals, boat storage, or your favorite fishing spot on the lake, today.