World Challenge Lake Number 5 in Smith County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  World Challenge Lake Number 5 is one of the Smith County listings for Texas. The bank is 600 feet above sea level. At 8 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. It is a small entry by Smith County standards. Head to Hideaway, 3.2 miles away, for anything you forgot. Further out sit Lindale (5.9 miles) and Van (7.5 miles). Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on World Challenge Lake Number 5

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Public wildlife records from this area list black crappie, bluegill, redfin pickerel, lake chubsucker and mimic shiner. It reflects what has been logged, which depends on who was looking. At this water light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 83°F and January reads 44°F. Long warm spells define the calendar more than any cold. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. It sets the rhythm of the year at this water. Wind direction matters more than wind strength.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. The closest car park is 0.9 miles away, so pack accordingly. Pike mean a wire trace, no exceptions; big spoons and jerkbaits do the searching. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. World Challenge Lake Number 2, 0.3 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. What applies at this water may have changed since it was mapped.