What fish are at Sunshine Lake?

Fishing Sunshine Lake is most likely to be for Channel Catfish. Channel Catfish accounts for 13 of 22 plants on record, ahead of Largemouth Bass and 4 more. Channel Catfish was last stocked July 1, 2025. Largemouth Bass was last stocked July 1, 2024. Bluegill was last stocked July 1, 1983. Blue Catfish was last stocked July 1, 2003. 2 more species are on the stocking report.

Sunshine Lake fishing

Fishing at Sunshine Lake is on a community pond, stocked with Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Threadfin Shad, and Blue Catfish. It is stocked about 0.4 times a year since 1974, most often in July. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike and Bluegill, dusk and night for Channel Catfish, and dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass.

Last stocked

July 1, 2025

Plants on record

Since 1974

Species recorded

Elevation

1,093.9 ft

Common questions

What fish are at Sunshine Lake?: Fishing Sunshine Lake is most likely to be for Channel Catfish. Channel Catfish accounts for 13 of 22 plants on record, ahead of Largemouth Bass and 4 more. Channel Catfish was last stocked July 1, 2025. Largemouth Bass was last stocked July 1, 2024. Bluegill was last stocked July 1, 1983. Blue Catfish was last stocked July 1, 2003. 2 more species are on the stocking report.
When is Sunshine Lake stocked?: Last stocked July 1, 2025. It is stocked about 0.4 times a year since 1974, 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 33 years between 1974 and 2025.
How do you get on Sunshine Lake?: Shore fishing is available and there is a boat ramp. The nearest town is Weatherford. Sunshine Lake, a 30-acre lake in Weatherford's 150-acre Cartwright Park, has a boat ramp restricted to trolling motors (no gas engines). It's popular with local anglers, and the park is a good spot to see wild turkey, deer, fox, armadillos and coyotes.
Which lakes near Sunshine Lake were stocked more recently?: Weatherford (8.5 mi) and Granbury (21.5 mi) were stocked more recently. Weatherford is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and Threadfin Shad and Granbury is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and Blue Catfish.

Access and facts

Water type: community pond
Nearest town: Weatherford
Shore access: Yes
Boat ramp: Yes

Sunshine Lake, a 30-acre lake in Weatherford's 150-acre Cartwright Park, has a boat ramp restricted to trolling motors (no gas engines). It's popular with local anglers, and the park is a good spot to see wild turkey, deer, fox, armadillos and coyotes.

Sources: weatherfordtx.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , weatherfordtx.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , weatherfordtx.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , weatherfordtx.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , weatherfordtx.gov, accessed September 23, 2026

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How Sunshine Lake 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 33 years between 1974 and 2025.

Weatherford (8.5 mi) and Granbury (21.5 mi) were stocked more recently. Weatherford is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and Threadfin Shad and Granbury is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and Blue Catfish.

Fish at Sunshine Lake

Fishing Sunshine Lake is most likely to be for Channel Catfish. Channel Catfish accounts for 13 of 22 plants on record, ahead of Largemouth Bass and 4 more.

Channel Catfish 13 plants

Plants: 13 of 22
Last stocked: July 1, 2025

Seasons and rigs are on the Channel Catfish guide.

Largemouth Bass 4 plants

Plants: 4 of 22
Last stocked: July 1, 2024

Seasons and rigs are on the Largemouth Bass guide.

Bluegill 2 plants

Plants: 2 of 22
Last stocked: July 1, 1983

Seasons and rigs are on the Bluegill guide.

Blue Catfish 1 plant

Plants: 1 of 22
Last stocked: July 1, 2003

Seasons and rigs are on the Blue Catfish guide.

Northern Pike 1 plant

Plants: 1 of 22
Last stocked: July 1, 1974

Seasons and rigs are on the Northern Pike guide.

Threadfin Shad 1 plant

Plants: 1 of 22
Last stocked: July 1, 1984

Fish stocked per year

1,0831974
22,0001981
12,0791983
4,1001984
4,0001985
1,6451991
1,4061992
1,4001993
1,4001995
1,1201996
2,8102001
1,4002003
1,4002005
1,4052008
1,4042009
1,4182013
1,4092021
372024
1,4882025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 22 plants Showing 22 plants

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Date	Species	Quantity	Avg. length	Source
July 1, 2025	Channel Catfish	1,488	–	report
July 1, 2024	Largemouth Bass	37	–	report
July 1, 2021	Channel Catfish	1,409	–	report
July 1, 2013	Channel Catfish	1,418	–	report
July 1, 2009	Channel Catfish	1,404	–	report
July 1, 2008	Channel Catfish	1,405	–	report
July 1, 2005	Channel Catfish	1,400	–	report
July 1, 2003	Blue Catfish	1,400	–	report
July 1, 2001	Channel Catfish	2,810	–	report
July 1, 1996	Channel Catfish	1,120	–	report
July 1, 1995	Channel Catfish	1,400	–	report
July 1, 1993	Channel Catfish	1,400	–	report
July 1, 1992	Channel Catfish	1,406	–	report
July 1, 1991	Channel Catfish	1,645	–	report
July 1, 1985	Largemouth Bass	4,000	–	report
July 1, 1984	Largemouth Bass	4,000	–	report
July 1, 1984	Threadfin Shad	100	–	report
July 1, 1983	Bluegill	8,000	–	report
July 1, 1983	Largemouth Bass	4,079	–	report
July 1, 1981	Bluegill	20,000	–	report
July 1, 1981	Channel Catfish	2,000	–	report
July 1, 1974	Northern Pike	1,083	–	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.