Fishing at Mantzel Lake, Lee County, Texas

• Overview

  Mantzel Lake is a Lee County water, in Texas. The setting is warm green lowland on every side. It covers about 13 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. The closest town, Giddings, is 1.4 miles distant. The big place round here is College Station, 47 miles distant. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Mantzel Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Public wildlife records from this area list bluegill, green sunfish, black bullhead and bluntnose darter. Local agencies hold the definitive list for this water. On Mantzel Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put August at about 84°F and January near 49°F. Wet and dry spells shape the year more than temperature. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Mantzel Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. 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. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Seales Lakes at 1.7 miles is the sensible second choice. Signs at Mantzel Lake carry more weight than any list.