What fish are at Pinkston?

Fishing Pinkston is most likely to be for Largemouth Bass. Largemouth Bass accounts for 3 of 9 plants on record, ahead of Channel Catfish and 4 more. Largemouth Bass was last stocked July 1, 2008. Channel Catfish was last stocked July 1, 1987. Flathead Catfish was last stocked July 1, 1977. Lone Star Bass was last stocked July 1, 2023. 2 more species are on the stocking report.

Pinkston fishing

Fishing at Pinkston is on a reservoir, stocked with Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Flathead Catfish, Threadfin Shad, and Lone Star Bass. It is stocked about 0.2 times a year since 1976, most often in July. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike, dusk and night for Channel Catfish, and dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass.

Last stocked

July 1, 2023

Plants on record

Since 1976

Species recorded

Elevation

297.2 ft

Common questions

What fish are at Pinkston?: Fishing Pinkston is most likely to be for Largemouth Bass. Largemouth Bass accounts for 3 of 9 plants on record, ahead of Channel Catfish and 4 more. Largemouth Bass was last stocked July 1, 2008. Channel Catfish was last stocked July 1, 1987. Flathead Catfish was last stocked July 1, 1977. Lone Star Bass was last stocked July 1, 2023. 2 more species are on the stocking report.
When is Pinkston stocked?: Last stocked July 1, 2023. It is stocked about 0.2 times a year since 1976, most often in July. The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of July. In 2023 it was July 1, 2023, about when it usually is. No plants recorded in 41 years between 1976 and 2023.
How do you get on Pinkston?: Shore fishing is available, there is a boat ramp, and no fee is required. The nearest town is Center, TX. The City of Center maintains two free one-lane ramps, at the Dam Area off CR 1510 and at Sandy Creek Park off CR 1211, both near Aiken. Formal camping facilities are absent, but primitive camping is allowed near the ramps.
Which lakes near Pinkston were stocked more recently?: Naconiche (4.9 mi), Timpson (10.6 mi), and Center Municipal Park Lake (11.7 mi) were stocked more recently. Naconiche is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Threadfin Shad, and Lone Star Bass, Timpson is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Threadfin Shad, Largemouth Bass, and Flathead Catfish, and Center Municipal Park Lake is also stocked with Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass.

Access and facts

Water type: reservoir
Nearest town: Center, TX
Shore access: Yes
Boat ramp: Yes
Fee required: No

The City of Center maintains two free one-lane ramps, at the Dam Area off CR 1510 and at Sandy Creek Park off CR 1211, both near Aiken. Formal camping facilities are absent, but primitive camping is allowed near the ramps.

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 Pinkston is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of July. In 2023 it was July 1, 2023, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 41 years between 1976 and 2023.

Naconiche (4.9 mi), Timpson (10.6 mi), and Center Municipal Park Lake (11.7 mi) were stocked more recently. Naconiche is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Threadfin Shad, and Lone Star Bass, Timpson is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Threadfin Shad, Largemouth Bass, and Flathead Catfish, and Center Municipal Park Lake is also stocked with Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass.

Fish at Pinkston

Fishing Pinkston is most likely to be for Largemouth Bass. Largemouth Bass accounts for 3 of 9 plants on record, ahead of Channel Catfish and 4 more.

Largemouth Bass 3 plants

Plants: 3 of 9
Last stocked: July 1, 2008

Seasons and rigs are on the Largemouth Bass guide.

Channel Catfish 2 plants

Plants: 2 of 9
Last stocked: July 1, 1987

Seasons and rigs are on the Channel Catfish guide.

Flathead Catfish 1 plant

Plants: 1 of 9
Last stocked: July 1, 1977

Seasons and rigs are on the Flathead Catfish guide.

Lone Star Bass 1 plant

Plants: 1 of 9
Last stocked: July 1, 2023

Northern Pike 1 plant

Plants: 1 of 9
Last stocked: July 1, 1976

Seasons and rigs are on the Northern Pike guide.

Threadfin Shad 1 plant

Plants: 1 of 9
Last stocked: July 1, 1979

Fish stocked per year

149,0001976
2,0001977
1,5001979
165,0401987
11,1502006
10,9672008
50,4442023

Stocking history

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Date	Species	Quantity	Avg. length	Source
July 1, 2023	Lone Star Bass	50,444	–	report
July 1, 2008	Largemouth Bass	10,967	–	report
July 1, 2006	Largemouth Bass	11,150	–	report
July 1, 1987	Channel Catfish	165,040	–	report
July 1, 1979	Threadfin Shad	1,500	–	report
July 1, 1977	Flathead Catfish	2,000	–	report
July 1, 1976	Largemouth Bass	85,000	–	report
July 1, 1976	Channel Catfish	40,000	–	report
July 1, 1976	Northern Pike	24,000	–	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.