Lake Abilene in Taylor County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Out in Taylor County, Texas, sits Lake Abilene. It sits in pine and hardwood country. At some 411 acres it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. On our Taylor County list it sits near the top for size. For supplies, Tye is 15 miles out. Potosi is 15 miles and Merkel 17 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lake Abilene

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Documented catches and surveys in the area cover channel catfish, bluegill, Florida largemouth bass, Rio Grande longear sunfish and common carp. Presence in the area does not guarantee a fish on the day. Lake Abilene gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 82°F at the top of summer and 43°F at the bottom of winter. The year never really closes; it just gets uncomfortable in summer. March through May is the strongest run, with autumn a second stretch. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. It holds true on Lake Abilene more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. There is a ramp at Back Boat Ramp, half a mile out. There is a jetty half a mile off, worth knowing on a busy day. Buffalo Wallow sits half a mile away and is marked for fishing. There are picnic tables half a mile away. A toilet block sits half a mile away. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Caterpillar Lake at 1.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the current arrangement for Lake Abilene.