I moved here from Missouri and have been trying to find some time to hit the waters. I have done some research into Belton and Stillhouse lakes, but haven't heard many good things unless you have a boat (which I do not). I'm not looking for trophy bass, just some good size fish for a fish fry. I fish primarily catfish, bass, and crappie and would like to stay local around Harker Heights/Belton, but am not opposed to driving to a productive area. Is there anyone out there with a recommendation(s) of where to try? Thanks.

Justin

Ft hoods ponds are the best kept secret

What's involved with getting onto the Fort for fishing? Don't you need to have a military pass or something like that?

You need an ID or gate pass plus your state fishing license, fort hood fishing license and fort hood area access pass. All but the gate pass can be had at the fort hood sportsman center.

There's definitely some great fishing out there and the size of some of the fish may surprise you! Also certain lakes are c&r only do to runoff from the wash racks and whatnot so pay attention to the signs.

Have you fished those ponds recently? A few years back the fishing was great at these lakes/ponds with some pretty big bass being caught but I stopped going after the fishing sucked which I assume was due to the year we had severe droughts. I wonder if it will be worth it to renew my pass.

Sounds great. I haven't even looked into post fishing as i figured i would be well over-fished and not worth the time. I'll have a look at them and see what the verdict is. Any off-post recommendations around stillhouse or belton lakes?

A buddy on a bass fishing forum I belong to fishes both of those lakes regularly and has pretty good luck in general from what he reports.

I've never been there since I fish the coast, but Belton and Still house are his go to lakes most of the time based on his postings.

I fished Belton this past weekend from my kayak and from the banks close to Franks marina and did well with smallies, catfish and fresh water drum using crayfish/crawdads. Just walk the banks lifting up rocks and you will find them. Throwing lures wasn't producing much. Stillhouse has been slow for me from the banks close to the dam. Stillhouse is great in the winter when the white bass migrate into the lampasas river.