Champion Lake near Quitman: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  The Wood County end of Texas holds Champion Lake. The surface lies 404 feet up. The water measures roughly 7 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Nearest place of any size is Quitman, 4.6 miles away. After that come Mineola at 6.6 miles and Gunter at 10 miles. Close by you have: Brittains Lake 0.8 miles away, Kindle Lake sits 0.9 miles out, Hayes Lake 1.3 miles away, Evans Lake sits 1.7 miles out and Vickory Lake 2.4 miles away. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Champion Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Documented catches and surveys in the area cover largemouth bass, Florida largemouth bass, flathead catfish and blue catfish. Presence in the area does not guarantee a fish in this exact water on the day. On Champion Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 82°F in July and bottom out at 44°F in January. Summer heat is the limit here, not winter cold. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Plan any trip to Champion Lake around it. Overcast days spread the fishing across more hours.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. The nearest alternative is Brittains Lake, 0.8 miles out. Check the current arrangement for Champion Lake.