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Texas stocked ponds: TPWD Neighborhood Fishin' lakes
These 18 small public lakes and ponds in city and county parks are on Texas Parks and Wildlife's Neighborhood Fishin' list. TPWD stocks them with channel catfish from mid-April through October (none in August) and rainbow trout from Thanksgiving to the first week in March. They're close to home and made for families and new anglers. Dates can change at the last minute, so check TPWD before a trip.
The program stocks catfish and trout. Other fish in these ponds, like bass and sunfish, come from past TPWD stockings or were already living there. Each pond page lists what TPWD's records show under "Other fish here."
Right now (Oct 20)
Catfish: In season. TPWD stocks catfish at these ponds from mid-April through October.
Rainbow trout: Starts around Thanksgiving (Nov 26, 2026). TPWD stocks rainbow trout here from Thanksgiving to the first week in March. TPWD hasn't posted its 2026–2027 trout schedule yet; we check it with every data refresh.
Special rules
5 fish a day, all species combined, only 1 black bass (14 inches or longer). Pole and line only, two poles max. Kids under 17 fish free; adults need a license with a freshwater endorsement. Rules and license details
Houston area ponds
| Pond | Park & city | Size (TPWD) | Trout schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burke-Crenshaw Lake | Burke Crenshaw Park 4950 Burke Rd., Pasadena |
3.8 ac | 2025–2026: 7 dates, Dec 12 to Mar 2 |
| Community Park Lake (Missouri City) | Community Park 1700 Glenn Lakes Lane, Missouri City |
3 ac | 2025–2026: 7 dates, Dec 12 to Mar 2 |
| Herman Little Pond | Herman Little Park 18660 Casper Dr., Spring |
3 ac | 2025–2026: 7 dates, Dec 12 to Mar 2 |
| Mary Jo Peckham Park | Mary Jo Peckham Park 5597 Gardenia Lane, Katy |
5 ac | 2025–2026: 7 dates, Dec 12 to Mar 2 |
Local TPWD office: (979) 272-1430.
Dallas-Fort Worth ponds
| Pond | Park & city | Size (TPWD) | Trout schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chisholm Park (Hurst) | Chisholm Park 2200 Norwood Dr., Hurst |
3 ac | 2025–2026: 4 dates, Nov 26 to Feb 20 |
| Greenbriar Park (Fort Worth) | Greenbriar Park 5200 Hemphill St., Fort Worth |
3 ac | 2025–2026: 8 dates, Nov 26 to Feb 27 |
| Lakeside Park (Duncanville) | Lakeside Park 515 Hill City Dr., Duncanville |
3 ac | 2025–2026: 8 dates, Nov 26 to Feb 27 |
| Mesquite City Lake | City Lake Park 403 S Galloway Ave., Mesquite |
5 ac | 2025–2026: 4 dates, Nov 26 to Feb 20 |
| South Lakes Park Pond (Denton) | South Lakes Park 556 Hobson Ln., Denton |
3.8 ac | 2025–2026: 8 dates, Nov 26 to Feb 27 |
Local TPWD office: (817) 732-0761.
Austin ponds
| Pond | Park & city | Size (TPWD) | Trout schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullfrog Pond | Travis County East Metro Park 18701 Blake Manor Rd., Manor |
1 ac | 2025–2026: 8 dates, Nov 26 to Mar 2 |
| Kingfisher Lake | Travis County East Metro Park 18701 Blake Manor Rd., Manor |
2 ac | 2025–2026: 8 dates, Nov 26 to Mar 2 |
Local TPWD office: (512) 353-0072.
San Antonio ponds
| Pond | Park & city | Size (TPWD) | Trout schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millers Pond | Millers Pond Park 6075 Old Pearsall Road, San Antonio |
6 ac | 2025–2026: 4 dates, Nov 26 to Feb 20 |
| Southside Lions Park (Hi-Lions) | Southside Lions Park 3100 Hiawatha, San Antonio |
7.5 ac | 2025–2026: 4 dates, Nov 26 to Feb 20 |
Local TPWD office: (210) 688-9460 or (210) 688-9516.
College Station ponds
| Pond | Park & city | Size (TPWD) | Trout schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Park Pond #1 (College Station) | Central Park 1000 Krenek Tap Road, College Station |
2 ac | 2025–2026: 8 dates, Nov 26 to Mar 2 |
Local TPWD office: (979) 272-1430.
Waco ponds
| Pond | Park & city | Size (TPWD) | Trout schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista Park Lake (Waco) | Buena Vista Park 2001 Madera Dr., Waco |
0.68 ac | 2025–2026: 8 dates, Nov 26 to Mar 2 |
Local TPWD office: (254) 666-5190.
Amarillo ponds
| Pond | Park & city | Size (TPWD) | Trout schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Center South (Amarillo) | Medical Center South 1100 Wallace Blvd, Amarillo |
7 ac | 2025–2026: 8 dates, Nov 26 to Mar 2 |
Local TPWD office: (806) 655-4341.
San Angelo ponds
| Pond | Park & city | Size (TPWD) | Trout schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakes Street Lake (San Angelo) | Oakes Street Lake 396 S. Irving Street, San Angelo |
4.2 ac | 2025–2026: 4 dates, Nov 26 to Feb 20 |
Local TPWD office: (325) 651-5556.
Wichita Falls ponds
| Pond | Park & city | Size (TPWD) | Trout schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Weeks Park (Wichita Falls) | South Weeks Park 2005 Southwest Parkway, Wichita Falls |
1 ac | 2025–2026: 8 dates, Nov 26 to Mar 2 |
Local TPWD office: (940) 766-2383.
Catfish dates aren't published pond by pond; TPWD stocks every Neighborhood Fishin' pond on the same catfish season. Trout dates come from TPWD's rainbow trout stocking schedule, which we check with every data refresh (last checked Oct 20, 10:24 PM CDT). Schedule dates are plans, not confirmed stockings. TPWD sends updates by text: text NF to 1-855-784-3034.
Rules at Neighborhood Fishin' ponds
TPWD's Community Fishing Lake rules (Outdoor Annual, valid Sep. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2027). A Community Fishing Lake is any public impoundment of 75 acres or less that lies totally within an incorporated city limits or a municipal, city, county or state park.
- Daily bag limit: 5 fish, all species combined, and only 1 of the 5 may be a black bass. Each person fishing gets their own daily bag.
- Black bass must be 14 inches or longer. No other species has a minimum length here.
- Pole and line only (rod and reel, fly rod or cane pole), and no more than two poles per person.
- TPWD's Neighborhood Fishin' page adds that trotlines, jug lines, fish traps, seines, cast nets, bows and spears aren't allowed at these lakes.
Sources: TPWD: Community Fishing Lakes regulations; Outdoor Annual definition of a Community Fishing Lake; TPWD: Neighborhood Fishin' regulations. Checked Oct 20, 2026. If anything here differs from the TPWD Outdoor Annual, TPWD is right.
Do you need a fishing license?
- Under 17: no license needed. TPWD: "Kids under 17 fish for free."
- 17 and older: you need a Texas fishing license with a freshwater endorsement. The resident freshwater package is $30 for the 2026–27 license year, and a One-Day All-Water license is $11 (residents) or $16 (non-residents). Residents born before Jan. 1, 1931 are exempt.
- Free Fishing Day: anyone can fish without a license on the first Saturday in June.
Bag limits apply to everyone, licensed or not. Neighborhood Fishin' ponds are in city and county parks, so the state-park license exemption doesn't apply here. Buy a license online from TPWD or at a retailer. Sources: TPWD: Neighborhood Fishin'; TPWD: Fishing Licenses and Packages. More detail: our License & regulations guide.
Before you go
- Gear: a light spinning combo, a few small hooks, split shot and a bobber is all you need. See our basic spinning setup for beginners and kids.
- Bait: for catfish, TPWD suggests strong-smelling baits like nightcrawlers, chicken livers, shrimp, stinkbait or cut hot dogs. For trout, cheese, kernel corn, worms, or a small inline spinner or spoon.
- Park amenities: TPWD describes these as clean, well-lit sites in city and county parks near picnic tables, parking and restrooms. Each pond page links the local park partner for hours and facilities.
- Fished one? Send a short report. A person reviews every report before it's published.
Sources: TPWD: Neighborhood Fishin' (sites, sizes, addresses, baits, rules); TPWD: catfish and trout stocking locations; TPWD: trout stocking schedule; TPWD news release, Apr. 8, 2026. Checked Oct 20, 2026. TPWD also stocks trout at dozens of other community lakes each winter; this section covers the Neighborhood Fishin' sites, which TPWD says will be stocked frequently throughout the trout season.