Ratcliff fishing

Fishing at Ratcliff is on a reservoir, stocked with Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, and Blue Catfish. It is stocked about 0.5 times a year since 1974, 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, 2021

Plants on record

25

Since 1974

Species recorded

5

Elevation

312.8 ft

Common questions

What fish are at Ratcliff?
Fishing Ratcliff is most likely to be for Channel Catfish. Channel Catfish accounts for 16 of 25 plants on record, ahead of Largemouth Bass and 3 more. Channel Catfish was last stocked July 1, 2021. Largemouth Bass was last stocked July 1, 2011. Hybrid Sunfish was last stocked July 1, 1997. Northern Pike was last stocked July 1, 1976. 1 more species is on the stocking report.
When is Ratcliff stocked?
Last stocked July 1, 2021. It is stocked about 0.5 times a year since 1974, most often in July. The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of July. In 2021 it was July 1, 2021, about when it usually is. No plants recorded in 26 years between 1974 and 2021.
How do you get on Ratcliff?
Shore fishing is available and there is a boat ramp. The nearest town is Ratcliff, TX. Facilities include camping. A 45-acre lake in Davy Crockett National Forest, once a log pond for the Central Coal and Coke Company sawmill (1902-1920) before the Civilian Conservation Corps built the current recreation area in 1936.
Which lakes near Ratcliff were stocked more recently?
Lancaster Community Park (24 mi), Houston County (25 mi), Nacogdoches (25.2 mi), Kurth (27.5 mi), and Shawnee Pond (29.7 mi) were stocked more recently. Lancaster Community Park is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, and Largemouth Bass, Houston County is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass, Nacogdoches is also stocked with Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass, Kurth is also stocked with Largemouth Bass and Blue Catfish, and Shawnee Pond is also stocked with Channel Catfish and Hybrid Sunfish.

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Ratcliff, TX
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
Facilities
camping

A 45-acre lake in Davy Crockett National Forest, once a log pond for the Central Coal and Coke Company sawmill (1902-1920) before the Civilian Conservation Corps built the current recreation area in 1936.

Sources: fs.usda.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , recreation.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , recreation.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , recreation.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , recreation.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , fs.usda.gov, accessed September 23, 2026

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How Ratcliff is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of July. In 2021 it was July 1, 2021, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 26 years between 1974 and 2021.

Lancaster Community Park (24 mi), Houston County (25 mi), Nacogdoches (25.2 mi), Kurth (27.5 mi), and Shawnee Pond (29.7 mi) were stocked more recently. Lancaster Community Park is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, and Largemouth Bass, Houston County is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass, Nacogdoches is also stocked with Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass, Kurth is also stocked with Largemouth Bass and Blue Catfish, and Shawnee Pond is also stocked with Channel Catfish and Hybrid Sunfish.

Fish at Ratcliff

Fishing Ratcliff is most likely to be for Channel Catfish. Channel Catfish accounts for 16 of 25 plants on record, ahead of Largemouth Bass and 3 more.

Channel Catfish 16 plants
Plants
16 of 25
Last stocked
July 1, 2021

Seasons and rigs are on the Channel Catfish guide.

Largemouth Bass 4 plants
Plants
4 of 25
Last stocked
July 1, 2011

Seasons and rigs are on the Largemouth Bass guide.

Hybrid Sunfish 2 plants
Plants
2 of 25
Last stocked
July 1, 1997

Seasons and rigs are on the Hybrid Sunfish guide.

Northern Pike 2 plants
Plants
2 of 25
Last stocked
July 1, 1976

Seasons and rigs are on the Northern Pike guide.

Blue Catfish 1 plant
Plants
1 of 25
Last stocked
July 1, 2003

Seasons and rigs are on the Blue Catfish guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 1,0001974
  • 2,2401976
  • 4,0001985
  • 30,0051987
  • 1381993
  • 3,6551994
  • 5,7151995
  • 24,2151996
  • 23,0001997
  • 1,2151998
  • 1,2221999
  • 1,2152000
  • 1,2962001
  • 1,2152003
  • 1,2152004
  • 1,2712005
  • 3,3372006
  • 6,2242011
  • 1,2312017
  • 1,2152018
  • 1,2382019
  • 1,2392021

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 25 plants Showing 25 plants

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
July 1, 2021 Channel Catfish 1,239 – report
July 1, 2019 Channel Catfish 1,238 – report
July 1, 2018 Channel Catfish 1,215 – report
July 1, 2017 Channel Catfish 1,231 – report
July 1, 2011 Largemouth Bass 6,224 – report
July 1, 2006 Largemouth Bass 3,337 – report
July 1, 2005 Channel Catfish 1,271 – report
July 1, 2004 Channel Catfish 1,215 – report
July 1, 2003 Blue Catfish 1,215 – report
July 1, 2001 Channel Catfish 1,296 – report
July 1, 2000 Channel Catfish 1,215 – report
July 1, 1999 Channel Catfish 1,222 – report
July 1, 1998 Channel Catfish 1,215 – report
July 1, 1997 Hybrid Sunfish 23,000 – report
July 1, 1996 Hybrid Sunfish 23,000 – report
July 1, 1996 Channel Catfish 1,215 – report
July 1, 1995 Largemouth Bass 4,500 – report
July 1, 1995 Channel Catfish 1,215 – report
July 1, 1994 Largemouth Bass 2,905 – report
July 1, 1994 Channel Catfish 750 – report
July 1, 1993 Channel Catfish 138 – report
July 1, 1987 Channel Catfish 30,005 – report
July 1, 1985 Channel Catfish 4,000 – report
July 1, 1976 Northern Pike 2,240 – report
July 1, 1974 Northern Pike 1,000 – 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.

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