I am planning on bank fishing and looking for tilapia. I saw squaw creek and I am wondering if anyone can give me any pointers on how to catch them. I know I can cast net them but I still want to reel them in. Thanks

Pattern for locating them in a lake, not sure, but they bite on jigs, inline spinners, roadrunners, other small lures, worms, dough balls, small minnows, etc. Find them and they are pretty easy to catch.

Eric

I have caught them while bass fishing, some really large. I'd recommend something similar to a drop shot rig with a small hook and I'd likely go with a minnow or a worm. Any of the coves will do if you are on the bank. A better spot at times would be up in the feeder creeks.

There are cleaning stations at the boat launch so you can clean them there before you take them home.

Brad

Photo of Squaw Creek tilapia below.

Oh geez!! That is huge. Yea, I am planning on going there next week to bank fish. I am hoping to catch a few since I've been skunk lately around DFW area for catfish.

Let us know how you do! I've been tempted to make the drive out there and try it myself. I've heard that when they are biting, you can clean up on them. Fill your freezer for a years worth of fish tacos!

I've not been to Squaw since Winter but caught a whole box of Tilapia and big channel cats. Squaw is the hottest water lake I've ever fished so Winter really pays off! Generally in the warmer months almost every fish in the lake goes as far up the river as they can go so they escape the hot power plant water circulating. Sometime you can just step from one boat to the next to the next up the river in the Summer. I wouldn't think the bank fishing areas would be very good right now but January and February should be non-stop action. We generally just use a slip float, small hook, and regular old worms. It's one heck of a good channel cat lake too! Good luck! Please report back! Thanks!

Yes, Squaw gets very hot with the water getting up into the 90s as I recall, maybe a bit warmer than that. During the cold winter months, it attracts lots of boats.

Tilapia once caught are not allowed to be released back into the lake; you either keep them for the fridge or leave them on the bank. There are that many out there!

It is a blue tilapia strain and it is one of the most cold tolerant of the species capable of surviving in waters down to mid 40s as I recall, so if the power generators were ever shut down during the winter months, they'd likely survive.

Yes, to the fish going up in the rivers to escape the heat. But, boaters aren't going back up in there to catch tilapia so much as the bass. Few people target tilapia out there from boats. And, tilapia have no issues with the hot water so while the river/creek shallows would be good places to fish, they'll still be in the main lake.

I'd carry out a large ice chest, a bag or two of ice and try to load the freezer. You'd be doing yourself, and the lake, a big favor.

Brad

I agree that about 90% are bass fishing the river. I've seen uncountable numbers of Tilapia and catfish between those bass though. I've also seen bass fishermen lay down their rod and pick up their bow to wack a few Talipia. Good fun for sure. I see many of those Tilapia turn orange in February during their spawn there.

I went early in the AM today and I did not catch any fish at all. The water is way too hot to fish and many of you are right about possibly going during cold season because that water is too hot. Maybe next time I'll catch something. Thanks for all the reply.

I've been waiting to hear your results! Go back in February and take 2 ice chests for your fish. Sry you didn't catch.

Would you say around Nov, Dec and Jan would be a good time to go?

I would say, late January thru end of February. I personally have fished this lake year around and find that if I don't want to catch bass there, I wait until late January. It's 1 1/2 hours away and I don't care to go just sit on the bank. Good luck this Winter! Colder the better at Squaw when going for Tilapia!