Bentsen Lake Fishing in Hidalgo County, Texas

• Overview

  You will find Bentsen Lake in Hidalgo County, Texas. Elevation runs to 108 feet. Small at around 18 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. On size it sits at the modest end of our Hidalgo County list. Some 3.3 miles away sits McAllen, the nearest settlement. For a city, McAllen is 3.1 miles off. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Bentsen Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Documented catches and surveys in the area cover bluegill, spotted gar and threadfin shad. Reported species tell you what lives around here, nothing more. On Bentsen Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 86°F in August and bottom out at 59°F in January. Cold never becomes a factor on this one. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. Plan any trip to Bentsen Lake around it. Sudden cold puts fish down faster than sustained cold does.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Parking is not close: half a mile from the bank, and no nearer option is mapped. Catfish want bait on the bottom: cut bait or worms, a simple running rig, and patience after dark. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. If the gate is shut, Lake Conception at 0.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Nothing on Bentsen Lake should be assumed from this page alone.