Guys,
I am starting to do some research on a place at a lake for me and the family in the next few years. My question is what lakes should I be considering. Some of the factors I am weighing are:
Cost of places
Lake levels and fluctuations
Quality of fishing (we like bass, crappie, whites and cats but dont need all just good for at least some of them)
Distance from home of course
What else should I be thinking about??

So far Im thinking about Hubbard Creek, Ivie, Oak Creek, Fork. For is farther than I want but its such a good lake I was looking but am afraid it would be so far I wouldnt use it as much as closer lakes. Please give me some insight if you have been in this position and what you did and what have been the likes and dislikes. Thanks so much. We will not be looking for anything expensive, just a cheap little house or a trailer house, not a camper as thats to cramped for us and the boys. I would like to spend under 60K but around 50K would be better. Thanks inadvance and I cant wait to see your responses.
Danny

At that price level, are you seeking waterfront, or just close enough that it's a short drive with the trailer?

Certainly, all the other questions about buying a home apply: property taxes, road quality, access to utility services, convenience to a decent-sized town, septic/well or sewer, the list goes on and on. Being in the country is nice, but I'd like to be within an hour's drive of a good city that has decent food and a hospital, just in case. That's just me, of course.

Allen Henry is a good lake, I understand, but I don't know much about water levels and the other questions you asked.

Also, Ivie has been yielding some damn good fish this year as well. I don't car much for Eden, TX, but San Angelo is a sweet town.

Waterfront is cool but not a must! Close enought with a ramp for the community or a public ramp really close. Would like to be able to walk to the water for sure and would at least need a community dock to fish from some as well. Thanks

Bit man
I lived in Midland for 27 yrs the only thing I like about that God forsaken town is Taco Villa I sure do miss it here in Central Tex.As for the lake it was talked bout a long time ago to build a lake out there but the implementation of a golf course took its place, very stupid planning on the part of the folk's with all the decision making powers.400 miles is a long way to go for a lake.There are some nice ones a lot closer, OH Ivie for instance you could live in San angelo and have access to 5 or more lakes within an 1 1/2- 2 hrs drive,since you live in Midland you drive that far anyway to get to a decent body of H2O anyway.good luck in your search Iwould like to recommend the lakes around Burnet Marble Falls or Killeen Belton allof these places have nice water with all of the requirements needed for your family.

i feel the pain lived there 22 years. and forget taco villa its all about rosas lol have you looked into the colorado river in kingsland? very nice my aunt used to have a property there that was awesome.

Taco Villa is nasty!!! Rosas all the way for sure for me!! LOL

Im thinking about Hubbard Creek and Ivie the hardest. I can be at Ivie in 2.5 hours and hubbard in about 2.75.

I work a shedule that will allow me to use the place alot so I dont want to sacrifice some of the better lakes due to a little more windshield time. But for quicker trips the closer lakes would be great. I like Ivie alot but the lake drops so low all of the time it scares me some. What all do you guys know about Hubbard??

I thought you already had a place at Brownwood?
I would look at Lake Hubbard if it were me. The
fishing at Ivie is to hit & miss. Plus if Ivie
doesn't get some water it's gonna be so low you
may not want to fish it.

Johnny

AMISTAD ALL THE WAY!!!!

I know one thing! I'd want that house sitting on top of a storm shelter!

Hubbard Creek is a great place with lots of waterfront homes. It is within an hour of Abilene and is right next to Breckenridge. The lake is a great multi species fishery! Dont think you could go wrong there.

+1

Considering distance from Midland - I would have to rate Ivie very, very high.

Can any of you tell me more about finding a place on Hubbard?? It is leading the debate right now and I think its a great place. Amistad is great also and Ill prolly do some research but dont know if I want to be that close to the border all the time.

The Rough Canyon area of the Devils River would be pretty far away from the Border. I've got some friends that have places around the Devils Shore area and really like it. Bear in mind that the biggest issue anywhere you may go is water supply.

Hubbard Creek +1

I've heard they have some monster crappie in that lake as well.