Richards Lake Fishing near Mabank, Texas

• Overview

  You will find Richards Lake in Van Zandt County, Texas. The bank is 417 feet above sea level. The water measures roughly 9 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Mabank sits 5.8 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Mesquite is the closest city, 38 miles away. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water. Most people fish the same few areas, which leaves the rest quiet.

• Where to Fish on Richards Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Nearby survey and observation records mention green sunfish and slough darter. Local agencies hold the definitive list for this water. Treat Richards Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 83°F; the cold one sits at 44°F. No part of the year shuts this water. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. The season on Richards Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Bluegill and other panfish take small jigs or worms under a float near any cover. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Soil Conservation Service Site 138 Reservoir, 1.3 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the position at Richards Lake before loading the car.