Soil Conservation Service Site 138 Reservoir Fishing near Mabank, Texas

• Overview

  Van Zandt County in Texas is where Soil Conservation Service Site 138 Reservoir sits. The surroundings are open plain. At roughly 19 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Start from Mabank, 4.6 miles down the road. Mesquite sits 39 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Soil Conservation Service Site 138 Reservoir

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Nearby survey and observation records mention green sunfish and slough darter. Records come from public data, not from a stocking programme. Read this water for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 83°F in July and bottom out at 44°F in January. Fish stay active all year, but they move with the heat. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer squeezes it into the edges of the day. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. On this water that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. For the panfish, a small hook, a float and a piece of worm outfish everything fancy. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Richards Lake at 1.3 miles is the sensible second choice. For this water in particular, ask before you travel.