Brushy Lake in Nacogdoches County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Nacogdoches County end of Texas holds Brushy Lake. Height above sea level is 259 feet. About 5 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. 8.1 miles away sits Alto, the nearest town. Rusk is 12 miles away, with New Summerfield at 20 miles. You are close to a county edge here; who manages the access can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Brushy Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Open occurrence data for the surrounding area lists black bullhead, bluegill, redbreast sunfish and blacktail shiner. Use it to know what is possible here, not what is certain. On Brushy Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 82°F, the coldest about 46°F. The awkward stretch is midsummer, not midwinter. Heat pushes fish deep from June onwards, so start early. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Plan any trip to Brushy Lake around it. The first warm week of the year changes everything here.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. Catfish want bait on the bottom: cut bait or worms, a simple running rig, and patience after dark. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Failing this one, try Horseshoe Lake, 0.2 miles away. For Brushy Lake in particular, ask before you travel.