Or with 2 hours from downtown Dallas. The nice weather will be here soon and wanted to camp and fish on the lakeside for the weekend. Any recommendations for catfish that I can put up a tent and fire?

Purtis has primitive campgrounds and you are all by yourself but not sure on the catfishing in that lake. Cedar creek at sunny glenn and down the road has lake side camping as well but you have cabins and rvs behind you off the water a lil bit further.

I agree , I have been to Purtis and it VERY nice out there. If the fishing was better that would be my choice.

Mineral Wells SP doesn't have any primitive sites, but the cross timbers campground area has some great bank access along the trails there. Decent fishing when I've been. Really like that park.

Tawakoni-WInd Point Park
Cooper-State park,South Sulphur Unit

Mineral Wells State Park is the very best bet for camping and catfishing in the DFW area. It has everything from primitive campsites to full service campsites. See the web Page. I am not sure where gutcheck is coming from, but he is in error.

The good part is that the best catfish hole backs up to the camping area. Giant flatheads are caught there. In the summer the catfish feed on the flats near the boat ramp.

Reservations are required. There is a camping fee or an overnight fishing fee if you are not camping. The Texas State Parks pass is good for entry but not camping. The fees are small and the fishing is well worth it.

The lake also has a good crappie population. The crappie are also caught near one of the camp sites, along with other places.

There is a small store in the park which sells bait.

Any idea which camp site area the crappie hold to?

Here's a nice out of the way place.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/36/Fool_for_the_City.jpg

Just kidding.

You will soon know all my secrets if I keep typing.

The best Crappie area is behind camp site 25. There is a point there where numerous rocks are below the surface. The shore is rough and the access to the lake is somewhat hazardous, but I have caught hundreds of Crappie from my boat a few feet offshore. A pier at site 23 yields good catches, especially during the spring spawn.

During the spawn the area in front of site 59 is outstanding. If the lake is down, as it is now, a beach area is exposed which allows shore access to the spawning area.

If you have a boat the areas I mentioned are even better.

See the map of the campgrounds.

Mineral Wells SP is a great area and does have primitive camping but not near water. This is one of my favorite camp grounds. Lots of places to walk and fish.

Site 22 is right on the water and we have caught channel cats from that spot. We also caught them by the store out on the flats north of the boat ramp. Worms and stinkbait have worked best.

The few times I went it was awsome..I heard Purtis Creek was given the nickname "Mini Lake Fork"

Purtis Creek is my wife and I's fav spot to fish, camp, spend time outdoors ETC. It is a great place.

Great info...

Tinhead if you have a canoe or a jonboat with a small motor load up your camping gear into your boat and go down the Brazos around Marlin and camp on a sandbar or island. The catfishing is great and you'll be completely isolated. Brazos below PK between Hwy 16 and FM4 is good too, You'll have to raise the motor a few times.