Fishing at Sal del Ray, Hidalgo County, Texas

• Overview

  In Texas, Sal del Ray falls inside Hidalgo County. It stands 30 feet above sea level. At 383 acres this is proper open water rather than a pond. There is roughly 6.8 miles of bank, more than one visit can cover properly. Size puts it in the front rank of our Hidalgo County list. For a base, Lasara sits 10 miles out. McAllen sits 25 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Sal del Ray

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. At Sal del Ray the water rewards a slow, careful approach. Sunken banks and old ditches show as changes in surface texture.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 58°F in January and 85°F in August. The season is continuous, with heat as the only real check. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. The season on Sal del Ray rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Hargill Reservoir, 5.5 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Confirm access to Sal del Ray locally before you travel.