Soil Conservation Service Site 5a Reservoir Fishing in Bell County, Texas

• Overview

  Look for Soil Conservation Service Site 5a Reservoir in the Bell County part of Texas. The country here is open plain. Killeen lies 2.4 miles from the water. Killeen is the closest city, 2.5 miles away. If this one is busy: Engineer Lake a touch under 2.5 miles, Soil Conservation Service Site 8 Reservoir 4.1 miles away, City of Killeen Reservoir a touch under 4.2 miles and Larned Lake 5 miles away. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Soil Conservation Service Site 5a Reservoir

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Fish reported in the area, according to open records, include plains darter, Rio Grande longear sunfish, bluegill and green sunfish. The list reflects reported sightings and surveys rather than what is stocked. Read this water before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 84°F, while January sits near 47°F. Fishing runs all year, with summer the awkward season. Heat pushes fish deep from June onwards, so start early. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. It holds true on this water more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. The car has to stay half a mile away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. The nearest alternative is Engineer Lake, 2.5 miles out. Nothing here settles the position at this water for certain.