With the lake flooded and the Catfish biting, the wife and I decide to go to Benbrook. I did not wan't to mess with the boat as the fish are right up by the bank anyway. Lantern, rodholders and all the needed stuff for a good nights bank fishing. We get to the Corp entry building at Holiday Park next to the Clear Fork and I tell the nice elderly couple that we are there to fish. I expect to gladly pay the 3 dollar fee and I was floored. No bank fishing is allowed in the park. You may camp, launch a boat, look at birds but not fish from the bank. Be warned if you go to Benbrook you had best have a boat. They said this is part of a new list of rules that have to do with making all the parks pay parks (which I agree should be done to keep the scum away) but no bank fishing???

I had the same thing happen a couple of months ago...no bank fishing allowed period.They suggested that I try Mustang which I did...not a problem over there.

I just can't see how they can let everyone else do whatever outdoor activity they are interested in except fish from the bank. You can ride a horse (no charge for some reason even though they poop everywhere) ride a bicycle, walk your dog, birdwatch, launch your boat and a myriad of other things for a 1-3 dollar charge. Obviously hunting in the park would be dangerous so I can see how that would against the rules. I almost always take my boat so it was never a problem until today.

dutch branch open yet? I usually launch at longhorn but I'm willing to pay some mula to get away from the crowds that swim everywhere at longhorn. Does holiday have a nice ramp?

IAM - I've only launched from the Benbrook Marina at Dutch Branch. It has been open for a while, although she has been closing the bait store at 6pm until she can hire some help. The ramp is in good shape, but is barely visible with the high water. It's a $5 fee to launch there, but it's worth it to me as she's pretty good about keeping an eye on everyone's vehicles and stuff.

Holiday does have a decent ramp on the point by the slough. I've never launched from it, but it looks to be in good enough shape. Again, high water will make most ramps barely visible.

They are probably tired of paying park people to pick up after all the low lifes that litter the bank. The easiest way to fix that is to stop it all together. Can't blame them for it.

Yeah...sorry to hear that. I bank fish from down around Bear Creek when I don't feel like hauling the boat over. They have been changing the rules recently...all for the better. If people didn't trash the place out and deal drugs around there all the time, we could all enjoy it.

The $3 charge should help clean out the rif raf.

now they would be going to longhorn.
Kevin, the last time I was at the marina the ramp was blocked off by cones and noticed that the parking lot is in bad shape. Does the marina have a courtesy dock? This was during February I think, I remember it was cold as nails. I will start launching over there because that is the main area I fish anyway.

I never noticed any more or less trash in the park than anywhere else. Most litter has washed from upstream, from the people who live and drive there.

I love the 3 dollar charge, the problem is after you pay the 3 bucks you still can't fish from the bank.

Yeah...I don't understand the No Fishing part.

IAM - She puts the cones out when she closes at night. If you get there early in the morning they will still be there, but you can move them. If she's up, she'll holler at you so you can give her the ramp fee, or just knock on the door. If she's not up, you can just catch her when you get back.

The parking could be a lot better, but it's not too bad. You can tie up to the bait house/crappie barge, then park your vehicle and come back. She's really protective of the boat slips, so don't park there (LOL).

I have launched many times early in the morning and never had a problem. I just move the cones, drive in, then put the cones back.