I tried this in bank fishing to no avail, but that's not nearly as big a forum.

Does anyone know of any ponds or creeks in or around Houston that hold either bass, carp, gar, sunfish, or any combination of them?

I've been looking around for some good open creeks to fly-fish in but the problem with most of them is the tree growth.

If anyone has any ideas I'd be very appreciative.

Check out Sheldon Lake in NE Houston. Relatively small, good bank access, very weedy, and loaded with gators. Don't know much about the fish community. Also, the neighborhood is seedy ...so watch your stuff.

Armond Bayou over near U of H Clear Lake is nice.

Sheldon isn't fishable from the bank, except in very limited areas, mainly along Garret road during the warmer months. Those aren't usually that great in the summer, shallow water. Thought the lake has several well built piers, it doesn't appear any of them are fishable because of thick hydrilla.

I fish Sheldon on a regular basis, but fish from a Kayak. Right now, its difficult fishing. The hydrilla has choked much of the lake, except for a coupla of holes in the middle of the lake. But, the fishing is good if you are willing to deal with gators, a few snakes, and hydrilla monsters. The last two times I've fished Sheldon, I've had gators as friendly fishing companions. I've not seen any carp at Sheldon, but do well on catfish, bream, and some crappie. There are gar aplenty. For lure fishing, weedless is the only way to go.

I remembered one fishable place. Luce's Bayou. Its accessible from the Huffman-New Caney Hwy. Go 1960 east from Humble, cross Lake Houston, and turn left when you get to the first farm to market road. Go about 2 miles and you'll cross a bridge. That's Luce's Bayou. Right after you cross the bridge, there is a dirt road that goes off to the right and goes below the bridge. There's a lot of bank fishing area in there. Should be plenty of gar, a few carp, and I've done well on bream there.

I've been by there a million times for various reasons, it is not only "seedy" but dern dangerous, I am NOT going to go fishing there.

I've seen some nice bass boats even over by the road, Russell I believe it is on the north side, but I'm NOT fishing in there.

But thanks for the suggestion!

Thanks! Is it an alright area over there? I trust those rural areas much more than the semi-suburban poorish areas like that around Sheldon.

Regarding the hydrilla, I guess that's what it is, but whenever I drive by Sheldon I wonder how you could get a bass boat through all that stuff(though I've seen a few).

What part of Houston are you in and how far do you want to drive? I guess with that are you wanting fish for the table or catch and release? Some of the creeks I am just not sure I would keep anything caught from them.

Yeah some of the creeks around Houston are dirty and i would keep anything caught from them my self. are you looking for just creeks and bayous? or would you fish rivers too? The Trinity ans San jacinto and close and they are pretty open

They're all dirty, I know that, I'm a catch and release guy anyway.

I prefer creeks mainly because there are fewer people.

Bayous are alright if they are open enough but the problem with most of them is that they are so thin and flood out the vegetation and sometimes the surrounding land every time it rains for more than 5 minutes.

I don't wish to tell where I live but I am north of I-10. This is why I've been able to pass by Sheldon so many times, it isn't far from where I am.

Anyway, if anyone has creeks in safe areas anywhere in Houston I'd be interested.

Safe area is important. I've seen some great looking creeks and panfish areas but in neighborhoods I'd not even consider stopping in, you know? Therefore I do not wish to stop anywhere where I might, in addition to catching some nice panfish or bass, also get shot.

Yeah i hear you on that one i got ran off the other day from a lil slue where me and my buddy were fishing for small perch to put on a jugline.

Spring Creek has a lot of places where you have access. Some spots are over grown but usually there are beaches on one side or the other with plenty of room. We usually park up on Cypresswood Dr.. There are 3 ponds in W.G. Jones park on 1488 also. I think you have to go to the station and get a key to the gate now days. There are also a few ponds in Splendora that we have fished before but not in a while. They are just past the exit on the NW side feeder road.
I'll probably think of a few more after I head out...lol

Alot of people post here asking bout places to fish. I'd be willing to bet more than few guys in your area would be willing to take you on a boat for a day on a local lake if you asked and offered some assistance.

Just a thought, may not be right for you.

Thanks Weasel, I never really considered the Spring area but I might give it a half-day's time!

BMCD, there aren't many anglers from my area that I can think of. Not even on here. Not my exact area anyway.

And especially not fly-fishing anglers.

Regarding the boat, I'm rarin' to buy either a very nice inflatable(like a Sea Eagle) with motor, floorboards, bench seat etc., or a jon boat.

Also, possibly, a kayak is an option. The latter two are less preferable to the inflatable boat. Also possible, inflatable Sea Eagle kayak, the 330 model, seems very good for my purposes. I just want something to get me places on the water, and sturdy enough not to tip when I cast. Standing up is a plus, therefore I like the boats, not the kayaks.

But thanks for that advice. I've got plenty of friends with boats, I'm just not as into fishing off of a boat... may seem silly to you, but I'm a dedicated river wader/lake bank fisher!