Fishing Stock Ponds

There are many stock ponds in and around Houston. Some are in neighborhoods and some are on small farms. The term stock ponds refers to small bodies of water dug out to make water available to livestock like cattle, pigs, goats or wildlife like deer. Most are on a hill or valley with a damn at one end that will hold water all year long. Some are on a well so fresh water can be pumped in during dry spells and droughts. Some are well kept places like a park and others are a hole in a field with plants and trees all around. Each must be fished differently. Unless you know if the owner has put in structure you may have to spend several trips discovering how to find and catch fish.

Alex got a 4 pound bass with dads help.
As he grows his fish do too.

Structure is anything under water that will hold fish or fish will travel along. Old creek channels, coves and points are good places to find fish. Look for changes in the bank to tell if there is a deep or shallow area in front of you. Use a sinking bait and count down to tell how deep the water is. Also plants under the surface work to tell how deep the water is. If they are just under the surface it is very shallow or the pond water level is low.

Alex with a 2 1/2 pound bass on my 8 wt.

Trees that have fallen into the water are another good place to find fish waiting to ambush bait, frogs or other food. Cast across the log and catch ambush predators and then cast the length of the tree. Bridges and docks are also great places to find Bass, Bream and catfish.  Fish along the piers and see what is hiding under the bridge. Being on a dock or bridge lets you jig the fly vertically over deeper water than when fishing from shore. Some ponds will even have an island in the middle giving you more shoreline to fish.

Nicholas with his first bass on a fly rod.

You must ask permission to fish these stock ponds but with a promise to pick up trash, yours as well as others and make sure to close all gates, many farmers will let you fish. I practice catch and release but have had land owners ask me to bring them a fish or 2. I will keep a catfish for them but don't ever harvest bass. It takes 2 to 4 years to grow a 4 pound bass and costs a fortune to replace with the same size. Last time I checked it cost $600.00 for a 6 to 8 pound bass and $1500.00 for one over 10 pounds. They eat a lot of bait fish which costs money and should be released to breed and make more bass. If the big ones are taken out there will be no babies. Look at what happened to the redfish in the 70s and 80s here along the cost. After limits were put in place and a breeding/stocking program was set up the population has increased a hundred fold.
         Jim and a nice sunfish

One other consideration is the livestock. If cattle are present they can charge you when they see a stranger in their territory. Goats can also be aggressive and chase you or head butt you. I have even been run off by geese and swans when fishing local ponds. Snakes are also very common around water. Water snakes and cotton mouth are all over Texas and I have seen some big and aggressive ones when fishing. I  wear snake boots when in new areas and tall grass. If there is timber down around the pond copperheads will be there. They may be small but a baby packs the same punch and a big momma does.
John Gibson with a bluegill from his pond

Stock ponds are everywhere if you look. I use Google the earth and key maps to look for ponds. When I find some we make a trip to see if they are fenced or assessable. If there is a house I go ask if I can fish. If not you can check the local feed and grain store as they may know the owner. You might be surprised how many you will find that the owner has never fished and is shocked to know there are fish in it. I always stop by after and give a fishing report and chat and even leave a fly or 2 that worked that day. Texas is the friendliest state and most hospitable place on earth. Go out ad see what I mean and fish a stock pond.

Mark