I'm just curious if anyone has tried fishing any of the lakes and if it was worth a trip for the fishing. I know that the alligator population is large, so that may be a challenge. Are there any bank fishing locations, or is it all off of piers?

I have.....and YES the gator population is up there. and I would NEVER recommend fishing off the bank, only from the piers. In fact they have sign on the piers that state when you catch a fish, you need to get it out of the water as soon as possible, as there could be a gator ready to snag it. last summer I went, its about 30 minutes from my house, and there were two gators in the hole by the pier, just trolling. This was in 40 Acre Lake. a lot of the others lakes in the park are VERY low.....some you can't even get to the water. Elm Lake, with is the other large lake in the park is very dry, and what has water, it almost totally covered in lilies. use Google maps and you can see where the clear parts of the lakes are..... here is a link to it, just use the satellite image.

Brazos Bend State Park

Forget the lakes. Hit the river. The one time I was there, i caught some mullet right away with cast net, then used them as bait. Something broke my 20 lb test line.

I have fished there several times and have had no problems with gators. Overall I think the fishing is poor, especially when it is so shallow, and you would have better luck elsewhere.

Thanks for the advice guys. I started another thread asking about the park lakes in the Missouri City area to try.

@calamusink, was there easy access to the river near by? Did you fish near 1462 or inside the park?

Inside the park. very short walk from the camp site we were at.

I was there last summer at 40 Acre Lake, and the guy fishing next to me on the pier caught a small catfish. As he pulled it up, a gator launched itself about 3 feet into the air trying to grab the fish as he pulled it up.

I personally have never had problems with the alligators on the banks. Treat them like wild animal and with respect. Don't get too close. If you leave them alone, they will leave you alone. That being said, I did almost step on one in high grass a few years ago. Scared us both. He jumped in the water and I jump about 3 feet in the air.

I have caught a few bass, crappie and bluegill on 40 acre lake. I think it was right after they stocked it a few years ago. The park rangers did some reconstruction back by the observation tower to create a fishing hole and that where I found the fish. [with a little help from the park ranger!]. Haven't been back there in a few years. It is about a 1.0 mile walk from the parking lot. The trails get so much people traffic that I don't think the gators are an issue, although they do creep close sometimes. The pier gets so much fishing pressure that I wouldn't even try there. Beautiful park, but I personally feel the fishing is lousy on lakes. The river sounds like a much better option to me. I personally know that Mizzou City area has many options for bass and catfish. Going to check out the other thread now.