What fish are at Jim Chapman?

Fishing Jim Chapman is most likely to be for Palmetto Bass. Palmetto Bass accounts for 18 of 49 plants on record, ahead of Largemouth Bass and 5 more. Palmetto Bass was last stocked July 1, 2024. Largemouth Bass was last stocked July 1, 2021. Sunshine Bass was last stocked July 1, 2026. Lone Star Bass was last stocked July 1, 2026. 3 more species are on the stocking report.

Jim Chapman fishing

Fishing at Jim Chapman is on a reservoir, stocked with Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Palmetto Bass, Sunshine Bass, and 1 more. It is stocked about 1.4 times a year since 1991, most often in July. Species guides list dusk and night for Channel Catfish, dawn, day, and dusk for Bluegill, and dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass.

Last stocked

July 1, 2026

Plants on record

Since 1991

Species recorded

Elevation

444.6 ft

Common questions

What fish are at Jim Chapman?: Fishing Jim Chapman is most likely to be for Palmetto Bass. Palmetto Bass accounts for 18 of 49 plants on record, ahead of Largemouth Bass and 5 more. Palmetto Bass was last stocked July 1, 2024. Largemouth Bass was last stocked July 1, 2021. Sunshine Bass was last stocked July 1, 2026. Lone Star Bass was last stocked July 1, 2026. 3 more species are on the stocking report.
When is Jim Chapman stocked?: Last stocked July 1, 2026. It is stocked about 1.4 times a year since 1991, most often in July. The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of July. In 2026 it was July 1, 2026, about when it usually is. No plants recorded in 1994, 1995, 2001, 2012, and 2020.
How do you get on Jim Chapman?: Shore fishing is available and there is a boat ramp. The nearest town is Cooper, TX. Facilities include camping, dock, and cleaning station. Cooper Lake State Park's South Sulphur and Doctors Creek units flank Jim Chapman Lake with boat ramps, two lighted fishing piers, and fish-cleaning stations; a park fee applies, but bank fishing needs no license. Three more public ramps ring the lake outside the park.

Access and facts

Water type: reservoir
Nearest town: Cooper, TX
Shore access: Yes
Boat ramp: Yes
Facilities: camping, dock, cleaning station

Cooper Lake State Park's South Sulphur and Doctors Creek units flank Jim Chapman Lake with boat ramps, two lighted fishing piers, and fish-cleaning stations; a park fee applies, but bank fishing needs no license. Three more public ramps ring the lake outside the park.

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 Jim Chapman is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of July. In 2026 it was July 1, 2026, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 1994, 1995, 2001, 2012, and 2020.

Fish at Jim Chapman

Fishing Jim Chapman is most likely to be for Palmetto Bass. Palmetto Bass accounts for 18 of 49 plants on record, ahead of Largemouth Bass and 5 more.

Palmetto Bass 18 plants

Plants: 18 of 49
Last stocked: July 1, 2024

Largemouth Bass 17 plants

Plants: 17 of 49
Last stocked: July 1, 2021

Seasons and rigs are on the Largemouth Bass guide.

Sunshine Bass 7 plants

Plants: 7 of 49
Last stocked: July 1, 2026

Lone Star Bass 3 plants

Plants: 3 of 49
Last stocked: July 1, 2026

Blue Catfish 2 plants

Plants: 2 of 49
Last stocked: July 1, 1992

Seasons and rigs are on the Blue Catfish guide.

Bluegill 1 plant

Plants: 1 of 49
Last stocked: July 1, 1991

Seasons and rigs are on the Bluegill guide.

Channel Catfish 1 plant

Plants: 1 of 49
Last stocked: July 1, 1991

Seasons and rigs are on the Channel Catfish guide.

Fish stocked per year

62,8931991
2,411,2791992
681,8591993
146,5731996
482,8791997
675,7491998
582,4441999
9,1322000
584,2882002
572,3892003
167,7072004
190,3882005
142,1782006
188,9312007
192,5222008
566,4472009
365,0412010
104,0702011
172,6842013
76,2042014
147,1742015
92,5362016
1,890,2612017
91,4652018
208,8992019
195,0652021
402,1062022
152,5592023
495,0162024
320,4642025
236,9792026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 49 plants Showing 49 plants

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Date	Species	Quantity	Avg. length	Source
July 1, 2026	Lone Star Bass	136,424	–	report
July 1, 2026	Sunshine Bass	100,555	–	report
July 1, 2025	Lone Star Bass	129,473	–	report
July 1, 2025	Sunshine Bass	190,991	–	report
July 1, 2024	Lone Star Bass	122,715	–	report
July 1, 2024	Sunshine Bass	179,430	–	report
July 1, 2024	Palmetto Bass	192,871	–	report
July 1, 2023	Sunshine Bass	152,559	–	report
July 1, 2022	Sunshine Bass	402,106	–	report
July 1, 2021	Sunshine Bass	194,868	–	report
July 1, 2021	Largemouth Bass	197	–	report
July 1, 2019	Largemouth Bass	208,899	–	report
July 1, 2018	Palmetto Bass	91,465	–	report
July 1, 2017	Palmetto Bass	1,890,261	–	report
July 1, 2016	Palmetto Bass	92,536	–	report
July 1, 2015	Sunshine Bass	147,174	–	report
July 1, 2014	Palmetto Bass	76,204	–	report
July 1, 2013	Palmetto Bass	172,684	–	report
July 1, 2011	Palmetto Bass	104,070	–	report
July 1, 2010	Largemouth Bass	365,041	–	report
July 1, 2009	Largemouth Bass	475,672	–	report
July 1, 2009	Palmetto Bass	90,775	–	report
July 1, 2008	Palmetto Bass	192,522	–	report
July 1, 2007	Palmetto Bass	188,931	–	report
July 1, 2006	Palmetto Bass	142,178	–	report
July 1, 2005	Palmetto Bass	190,388	–	report
July 1, 2004	Palmetto Bass	167,707	–	report
July 1, 2003	Largemouth Bass	477,289	–	report
July 1, 2003	Palmetto Bass	95,100	–	report
July 1, 2002	Largemouth Bass	489,878	–	report
July 1, 2002	Palmetto Bass	94,410	–	report
July 1, 2000	Largemouth Bass	9,132	–	report
July 1, 1999	Largemouth Bass	484,695	–	report
July 1, 1999	Palmetto Bass	97,749	–	report
July 1, 1998	Largemouth Bass	482,084	–	report
July 1, 1998	Palmetto Bass	193,665	–	report
July 1, 1997	Largemouth Bass	482,879	–	report
July 1, 1996	Palmetto Bass	146,573	–	report
July 1, 1993	Largemouth Bass	200,084	–	report
July 1, 1993	Largemouth Bass	481,745	–	report
July 1, 1993	Largemouth Bass	30	–	report
July 1, 1992	Largemouth Bass	1,929,012	–	report
July 1, 1992	Largemouth Bass	192	–	report
July 1, 1992	Blue Catfish	482,075	–	report
July 1, 1991	Largemouth Bass	5,142	–	report
July 1, 1991	Largemouth Bass	151	–	report
July 1, 1991	Bluegill	41,600	–	report
July 1, 1991	Channel Catfish	12,500	–	report
July 1, 1991	Blue Catfish	3,500	–	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.