Photo by Chase Fountain / TPWD
WANDERLIST
Catch-and-Camp With Dad
by Sarah Bloodworth
How can you make a fishing trip with Dad even better? Bring a tent and camp overnight. Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to spend quality time outdoors. If your fishing hole has great camping facilities as well, consider giving your father (or father figure) a great catch-and-camp getaway at one of these spots. If you find your own, share it with us on social media.
WHITE RIVER RESERVOIR • SPUR
Catch largemouth bass, channel catfish and more in White River Reservoir, east of Lubbock. Walleyes bite April through June. Afterward, catch a bite yourself at the marina grill; Friday night features fried catfish. Head to one of four camping areas or two RV areas for a night stay with facilities that conveniently include a fishing house and cleaning station.
BRAUNIG LAKE • SAN ANTONIO
A quick drive to the southern edge of San Antonio takes you to Braunig Lake, where you can fish for red drum, hybrid striped bass and channel catfish with two boat ramps and good shoreline access. The uncrowded park offers inexpensive campsites on the water’s edge, with some sites shaded by large trees.
COLETO CREEK RESERVOIR • FANNIN
Four creeks feed into this reservoir that cools a power plant and provides great largemouth bass fishing. Coleto Creek Park has 75 multiuse campsites, picnic areas, a four-lane boat ramp, a 200-foot lighted pier and a couple of nature viewing/photography stations.
LAKE CONROE PARK • CONROE
If trophy bass is your game, consider bringing Dad to Lake Conroe. You’ll also find a lake full of channel catfish and some enormous bluegills. Camping options include the Cagle Recreation Area, with tent camping and RV sites, and the Stow-A-Way Marina and RV Park.
RICHLAND CHAMBERS RESERVOIR • CORSICANA
The Oak Cove Marina at the Richland Chambers Reservoir is known as a laid-back, friendly area with great fishing. Sought-after fish include crappie, white bass, catfish and hybrid stripers. There’s a wide variety of ways to stay, including tent and RV campsites, as well as a motel in case the weather gets harsh.
LAKE BUCHANAN • BURNET
Lake Buchanan is noted for its excellent striped bass and white bass fishing. Camping is available at Canyon of the Eagles (where there’s also an observatory for stargazing) and nearby Inks Lake and Colorado Bend state parks.
AMISTAD RESERVOIR • DEL RIO
Amistad offers five designated campgrounds with no reservations, but they rarely fill up. The Rough Canyon camping area is disability-accessible and includes boat ramps, cleaning stations and marina. Largemouth bass are the most popular sport fish in the reservoir.
