What fish are at Bardwell?

Fishing Bardwell is most likely to be for Palmetto Bass. Palmetto Bass accounts for 15 of 42 plants on record, ahead of Sunshine Bass and 5 more. Palmetto Bass was last stocked July 1, 2017. Sunshine Bass was last stocked July 1, 2025. Striped Bass was last stocked July 1, 1994. Blue Catfish was last stocked July 1, 2022. 3 more species are on the stocking report.

Bardwell fishing

Fishing at Bardwell is on a reservoir, stocked with Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Striped Bass, Palmetto Bass, and 1 more. It is stocked about 0.7 times a year since 1966, most often in July. Species guides list dusk and night for Channel Catfish and dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass and Striped Bass.

Last stocked

July 1, 2025

Plants on record

Since 1966

Species recorded

Elevation

419.2 ft

Common questions

What fish are at Bardwell?: Fishing Bardwell is most likely to be for Palmetto Bass. Palmetto Bass accounts for 15 of 42 plants on record, ahead of Sunshine Bass and 5 more. Palmetto Bass was last stocked July 1, 2017. Sunshine Bass was last stocked July 1, 2025. Striped Bass was last stocked July 1, 1994. Blue Catfish was last stocked July 1, 2022. 3 more species are on the stocking report.
When is Bardwell stocked?: Last stocked July 1, 2025. It is stocked about 0.7 times a year since 1966, most often in July. The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of July. In 2025 it was July 1, 2025, about when it usually is. No plants recorded in 27 years between 1966 and 2025.
How do you get on Bardwell?: Shore fishing is available, there is a boat ramp, and a fee is required. The nearest town is Ennis, TX. Love Park and Little Mustang Creek each have a 4-lane US Army Corps of Engineers boat ramp with parking for 20; Love Park charges a fee, Little Mustang is free. Waxahachie Creek Park has two 4-lane ramps. The former State Public Ramp is closed.
Which lakes near Bardwell were stocked more recently?: Joe Pool Reservoir (30.8 mi) was stocked more recently. Joe Pool Reservoir is also stocked with Largemouth Bass and Channel Catfish.

Access and facts

Water type: reservoir
Nearest town: Ennis, TX
Shore access: Yes
Boat ramp: Yes
Fee required: Yes

Love Park and Little Mustang Creek each have a 4-lane US Army Corps of Engineers boat ramp with parking for 20; Love Park charges a fee, Little Mustang is free. Waxahachie Creek Park has two 4-lane ramps. The former State Public Ramp is closed.

Sources: tpwd.texas.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , tpwd.texas.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , tpwd.texas.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , tpwd.texas.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , tpwd.texas.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , tpwd.texas.gov, accessed September 23, 2026

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How Bardwell is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of July. In 2025 it was July 1, 2025, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 27 years between 1966 and 2025.

Joe Pool Reservoir (30.8 mi) was stocked more recently. Joe Pool Reservoir is also stocked with Largemouth Bass and Channel Catfish.

Fish at Bardwell

Fishing Bardwell is most likely to be for Palmetto Bass. Palmetto Bass accounts for 15 of 42 plants on record, ahead of Sunshine Bass and 5 more.

Palmetto Bass 15 plants

Plants: 15 of 42
Last stocked: July 1, 2017

Sunshine Bass 8 plants

Plants: 8 of 42
Last stocked: July 1, 2025

Striped Bass 7 plants

Plants: 7 of 42
Last stocked: July 1, 1994

Seasons and rigs are on the Striped Bass guide.

Blue Catfish 5 plants

Plants: 5 of 42
Last stocked: July 1, 2022

Seasons and rigs are on the Blue Catfish guide.

Largemouth Bass 3 plants

Plants: 3 of 42
Last stocked: July 1, 1998

Seasons and rigs are on the Largemouth Bass guide.

Channel Catfish 2 plants

Plants: 2 of 42
Last stocked: July 1, 1972

Seasons and rigs are on the Channel Catfish guide.

Hybrid Sunfish 2 plants

Plants: 2 of 42
Last stocked: July 1, 1972

Seasons and rigs are on the Hybrid Sunfish guide.

Fish stocked per year

702,4001966
300,0001967
15,1501968
20,4701969
23,4001970
3,0001972
20,0001975
35,0231981
35,9501983
178,8111992
71,5521994
61,7001995
53,6001996
53,6921997
232,8731998
35,9092002
47,0002003
47,3382004
47,6102005
32,0982007
1,930,4692010
34,2112011
49,1092013
22,3032014
191,1362015
205,3762016
11,1992017
150,0002020
199,2412021
166,3072022
48,0622023
95,0092024
49,2382025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 42 plants Showing 42 plants

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Date	Species	Quantity	Avg. length	Source
July 1, 2025	Sunshine Bass	49,238	–	report
July 1, 2024	Sunshine Bass	95,009	–	report
July 1, 2023	Sunshine Bass	48,062	–	report
July 1, 2022	Sunshine Bass	50,281	–	report
July 1, 2022	Blue Catfish	116,026	–	report
July 1, 2021	Sunshine Bass	47,244	–	report
July 1, 2021	Blue Catfish	151,997	–	report
July 1, 2020	Sunshine Bass	150,000	–	report
July 1, 2017	Palmetto Bass	11,199	–	report
July 1, 2016	Sunshine Bass	47,393	–	report
July 1, 2016	Blue Catfish	157,983	–	report
July 1, 2015	Sunshine Bass	32,862	–	report
July 1, 2015	Blue Catfish	158,274	–	report
July 1, 2014	Palmetto Bass	22,303	–	report
July 1, 2013	Palmetto Bass	49,109	–	report
July 1, 2011	Palmetto Bass	34,211	–	report
July 1, 2010	Palmetto Bass	1,930,469	–	report
July 1, 2007	Palmetto Bass	32,098	–	report
July 1, 2005	Palmetto Bass	47,610	–	report
July 1, 2004	Palmetto Bass	47,338	–	report
July 1, 2003	Palmetto Bass	47,000	–	report
July 1, 2002	Palmetto Bass	35,909	–	report
July 1, 1998	Largemouth Bass	178,500	–	report
July 1, 1998	Palmetto Bass	54,373	–	report
July 1, 1997	Palmetto Bass	53,692	–	report
July 1, 1996	Palmetto Bass	53,600	–	report
July 1, 1995	Palmetto Bass	61,700	–	report
July 1, 1994	Striped Bass	71,552	–	report
July 1, 1992	Largemouth Bass	178,811	–	report
July 1, 1983	Striped Bass	35,950	–	report
July 1, 1981	Striped Bass	35,023	–	report
July 1, 1975	Palmetto Bass	20,000	–	report
July 1, 1972	Hybrid Sunfish	1,000	–	report
July 1, 1972	Channel Catfish	2,000	–	report
July 1, 1970	Striped Bass	23,400	–	report
July 1, 1969	Striped Bass	20,470	–	report
July 1, 1968	Striped Bass	15,150	–	report
July 1, 1967	Striped Bass	300,000	–	report
July 1, 1966	Hybrid Sunfish	3,400	–	report
July 1, 1966	Largemouth Bass	670,000	–	report
July 1, 1966	Channel Catfish	22,000	–	report
July 1, 1966	Blue Catfish	7,000	–	report

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Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.