McGinnes Lake, Texas: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  McGinnes Lake sits within McLennan County in Texas. The bank is 653 feet above sea level. It covers about 13 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Start from Moody, 4.3 miles down the road. It is 17 miles to Waco, the nearest city. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on McGinnes Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Fish reported in the area, according to open records, include Rio Grande longear sunfish, orangespotted sunfish, plains darter, gizzard shad and gray redhorse. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. On McGinnes Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 84°F for July and 46°F for January. Fish stay active all year, but they move with the heat. The first and last hours carry the summer; the middle is slow. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. McGinnes Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. Bluegill and other panfish take small jigs or worms under a float near any cover. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Soil Conservation Service Site 22 Reservoir, 0.7 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the position on McGinnes Lake before loading the car.