Some lakes need the gators, sure would help on the jet fleas and wakeboard boats!

1st off thats about a 11-12' gator easily 500lbs+ and yes you get too close in there territory especially during mating season they can be quite agressive....had cousin fish the yucatan in eastern La and hooked a 10' bout 3 feet up the tail on crankbait thought he had big catfish till he surfaced at the boat and went straight down and snapped his line...he has a 12'9" 750lber they caught back in the late 80's...

I have fished Belton and Stillhouse for years and have never seen any on either. Not saing there aren't any, I just haven't seen one. Some say there is a big one on Stillhouse up the river. I've fished up there as far as Knuckles Crossing and not seen any. Even if they are there, ou shouldn't have a problem with them. Growing up in La. we used to fish where there were quite a few gators and never had one approach us on the bank or in his boat. Now if you see a trail of tiny bubbles coming our way, you might want to grab your dog and get back away from the water!

Yes, their are gators in Stillhouse....Very rare siting but you have to go as far up the river as possible. Very airy feeling if you're by yourself. Never saw any on Belton but I haven't explored it enough yet.

I avoid the gator bite by using a dip net to land my fish. Also, I assume that all lakes grow gators. Needless to say, I'm careful not to fall in the water.

I wouldn't take the dog. Gators love them. I lived in Louisiana 15 yrs. I saw a gator get an Irish setter that a woman was letting the dog get a stick that was thrown in the water. They warn people that live on Cross lake in S'port to not let their dogs get out by the water. They usually won't mess with a human but a dog is a different story.

Yep... I am from Louisiana... I knew a guy called "Stumpy" that used to swim in the bayou....

If your in a boat I wouldn't worry about it. We throw ribbits and they chase them right to the boat then just sit there waiting on it to come back. I've only had one that came up next to the boat to tell us to leave and that was because my buddy kept trying to hook it. That one was every bit of 13'. But if you don't mess with them they aren't going to mess with you, even if you have a dog. And if they want the dog you will see them cruising in to get a closer look before they would try something.

transplant, you should probably stay away from choke.
slept on a picnic table first trip down there, woke up with about 6 of em just waitin for me to fall off.
saw a few fishing that day, partner foul hooked one about 8' and just cut the line.

we fished the cattails later and kept hearing them dive under but never did see them.

See them on almost every trip here in Louisiana and have never had a problem. They see you and go the other direction. They do not see a 20 foot bass boat as a meal.

just an fyi, if you are being serious guns are not allowed on coe lakes. do so at your own risk.

The little ones are fun to catch. This one is about 3' caught on a Culprit work (you can see it in its mouth).
The pattern was weightless swimming worms in thick vegetation, LOL
I was wade fishing when I caught it, and put it in the boat to take it's picture.
After the picture, I unhooked it and let it go. It was calling its mamma with squeeky grunt sounds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_29k6dJ6DA

Take a look at the kitty cat in this video.

If you are worried about them, I would not go near any lakes. There are lots of snakes out there also. And LEECHES!

Yes they are in Stillhouse. Below gravel crossing, there is a small fork, when the water is closer to pool, and a big one lives right there. Myself and Shane were chasing the whites and ran into him twice. Got pics with an iphone. I would guess hes about 12'. You can also see slides down the bank all over the place. I would kayak there, but deff not swim or let my dog swim in that area. Main lake, never seen em, nor do you hear about it.

And they are not on Belton.