Nolan Lake in Bell County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Nolan Lake is one of the Bell County waters in Texas. It stands 712 feet above sea level. It measures about 39 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. It is among the larger waters listed here for Bell County. Supplies mean a trip to Nolanville, 4.1 miles off. Harker Heights is 6.2 miles and Morgans Point Resort 6.4 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Nolan Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Records collected within a few miles name channel catfish, Rio Grande longear sunfish, plains darter, green sunfish and largemouth bass. The records cover the area rather than this water alone. At Nolan Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 83°F, the coldest about 47°F. Long warm spells define the calendar more than any cold. March through May is the strongest run, with autumn a second stretch. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. It holds true on Nolan Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. You can camp about half a mile away, going by the mapping. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, Heiner Lake is 2.4 miles distant. For Nolan Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.