Fishing at Barber Reservoir, Mitchell County, Texas

• Overview

  Look for Barber Reservoir in Mitchell County, Texas. The surroundings are pine and hardwood. It measures about 152 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. About 2.3 miles of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. Most waters listed here for Mitchell County are larger. The nearest town is Colorado City, 3.4 miles away. The big place round here is Abilene, 68 miles distant. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Barber Reservoir

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Records collected within a few miles name bluegill, gizzard shad, largemouth bass and channel catfish. Records come from public data, not from a stocking programme. Barber Reservoir repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 83°F, with January the cold end at about 42°F. The year never really closes; it just gets uncomfortable in summer. The first and last hours carry the summer; the middle is slow. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Plan any trip to Barber Reservoir around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Nothing in the way of made access shows up nearby: no ramp, no car park, no path. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Logsdon Reservoir sits 0.5 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position at Barber Reservoir before loading the car.