McDonald Lake fishing

Fishing at McDonald Lake has Channel Catfish, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.8 times a year since 2006, 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, 2022

Plants on record

13

Since 2006

Species recorded

3

Elevation

386.8 ft

Common questions

What fish are at McDonald Lake?
Fishing McDonald Lake is most likely to be for Channel Catfish. Channel Catfish accounts for 9 of 13 plants on record, ahead of Bluegill and one more. Channel Catfish was last stocked July 1, 2022. Bluegill was last stocked July 1, 2008. Largemouth Bass was last stocked July 1, 2007.
When is McDonald Lake stocked?
Last stocked July 1, 2022. It is stocked about 0.8 times a year since 2006, most often in July. The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of July. In 2022 it was July 1, 2022, about when it usually is. No plants recorded in 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020.
Which lakes near McDonald Lake were stocked more recently?
Palestine (23 mi), Friendship Park Pond (24.7 mi), Athens (26.7 mi), and Houston County (30.9 mi) were stocked more recently. Palestine is also stocked with Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass, Friendship Park Pond is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Athens is also stocked with Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass, and Houston County is also stocked with Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass.

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How McDonald Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of July. In 2022 it was July 1, 2022, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020.

Palestine (23 mi), Friendship Park Pond (24.7 mi), Athens (26.7 mi), and Houston County (30.9 mi) were stocked more recently. Palestine is also stocked with Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass, Friendship Park Pond is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Athens is also stocked with Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass, and Houston County is also stocked with Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass.

Fish at McDonald Lake

Fishing McDonald Lake is most likely to be for Channel Catfish. Channel Catfish accounts for 9 of 13 plants on record, ahead of Bluegill and one more.

Channel Catfish 9 plants
Plants
9 of 13
Last stocked
July 1, 2022

Seasons and rigs are on the Channel Catfish guide.

Bluegill 3 plants
Plants
3 of 13
Last stocked
July 1, 2008

Seasons and rigs are on the Bluegill guide.

Largemouth Bass 1 plant
Plants
1 of 13
Last stocked
July 1, 2007

Seasons and rigs are on the Largemouth Bass guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 2,2472006
  • 11,6442007
  • 8,9072008
  • 9582009
  • 9502010
  • 1,8802012
  • 2,8562013
  • 1,0502014
  • 9572019
  • 9542021
  • 9742022

Stocking history

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
July 1, 2022 Channel Catfish 974 – report
July 1, 2021 Channel Catfish 954 – report
July 1, 2019 Channel Catfish 957 – report
July 1, 2014 Channel Catfish 1,050 – report
July 1, 2013 Channel Catfish 2,856 – report
July 1, 2012 Channel Catfish 1,880 – report
July 1, 2010 Channel Catfish 950 – report
July 1, 2009 Channel Catfish 958 – report
July 1, 2008 Bluegill 8,907 – report
July 1, 2007 Largemouth Bass 2,302 – report
July 1, 2007 Bluegill 9,342 – report
July 1, 2006 Bluegill 130 – report
July 1, 2006 Channel Catfish 2,117 – report

Species stocked here

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

Nearest lakes