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3,138-acre reservoir near Ennis. The lake tops out around 34 ft. The depth chart comes from Texas Water Development Board bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
The outline encloses 3,289 acres, worked by 35.8 miles of shoreline, broken up by 3 islands. An index of 4.5 puts the bank firmly in maze territory: point after pocket after cove, every one a casting target. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 59% of the surface — that's where the groceries are. Tip to tip the water measures near 6.2 mi with a 2.7-mi widest point. Ellis County claims this one. If the bite dies, Lake Waxahachie is 9 mi to the west.
Early season largemouth bass use the shallows, holding in 2 to 10 ft. Expect a summer slide to 8 to 20 ft, then a winter hold in 10 to 34 ft. Put Shallow bay flat first on the milk run — a weed flat near 4 ft that grades prime for spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow bay flat (4 ft) | Spinnerbait, Chatterbait |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Back-bay flat (8 ft) | Texas-rigged 10" worm, Deep-diving crankbait |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (5 ft) | Squarebill crankbait (shad), Spinnerbait |
| Winter | 10 to 34 ft | midday | Break off the point (10 ft) | Blade bait, Jigging spoon |
Start shallow in spring: white bass sit in 2 to 12 ft that time of year. Warm water sends them out to 8 to 25 ft; cold water stacks them in 10 to 34 ft. Top water on the chart: Waxahachie Creek inflow, an inflow / creek mouth in the 2 ft range, prime in spring. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. Throw a slab spoon or a small topwater (schooling fish) until the fish tell you otherwise.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Waxahachie Creek inflow (2 ft) | Curly-tail jig (white), Small lipless crank |
| Summer | 8 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (5 ft) | Slab spoon, Small topwater (schooling fish) |
| Fall | 6 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (5 ft) | Jigging spoon, Blade bait |
| Winter | 10 to 34 ft | midday | Deep basin (33 ft) | Jigging spoon (deep), Blade bait |
Spring white bass & hybrids on Bardwell Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 10 to 34 ft. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 33 ft, prime for winter. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. The summer box starts with a jigging spoon or a topwater (when schooling).
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Waxahachie Creek inflow (2 ft) | Rooster tail / inline spinner, Curly-tail jig (white/chartreuse) |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (10 ft) | Jigging spoon, Topwater (when schooling) |
| Fall | 8 to 25 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (5 ft) | Small blade bait, Jigging spoon |
| Winter | 10 to 34 ft | midday | Deep basin (33 ft) | Jigging spoon, Blade bait (vertical) |
Spring crappie on Bardwell Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 25 ft, and by winter most fish are in 10 to 34 ft. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 33 ft, prime for winter. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. The summer box starts with a jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled).
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (4 ft) | 1/16 oz jig + tube, Curly-tail grub |
| Summer | 10 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (10 ft) | Jig trolled/spider-rigged, Small crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 8 to 20 ft | dawn | Back-bay flat (8 ft) | Jig + minnow combo, Small swimbait (1.5-2") |
| Winter | 10 to 34 ft | midday | Deep basin (33 ft) | Tungsten jig + soft plastic, Tiny jigging spoon |
Early season channel catfish use the shallows, holding in 3 to 12 ft. Expect a summer slide to 8 to 25 ft, then a winter hold in 10 to 34 ft. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 33 ft that grades prime for winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dusk | Waxahachie Creek inflow (2 ft) | |
| Summer | 8 to 25 ft | night & dusk | Old creek channel (3 ft) | |
| Fall | 10 to 30 ft | dusk | Shallow feeding flat (20 ft) | |
| Winter | 10 to 34 ft | midday | Deep basin (33 ft) |
Structure-wise the chart holds 16 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 33 ft.
Access data: Texas Parks & Wildlife — Public Boat Ramps. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
| Date | Species | Count | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* | Sunshine Bass (fingerling) | 49,238 | — |
| 2024* | Sunshine Bass (fingerling) | 95,009 | — |
* Approximate date (agency reports month or season only). Source: TPWD stocking history, retrieved 2026-08-18.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Texas waters are set by the Texas Parks & Wildlife — and special regulations can apply to Bardwell Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Texas fishing regulations →
Bardwell Lake is about 34 ft (10 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from Texas Water Development Board bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target largemouth bass, white bass, white bass & hybrids, crappie, channel catfish on Bardwell Lake.
Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in spring. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
For largemouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Yes — per TPWD stocking history records, Bardwell Lake was most recently stocked 2025 with 49,238 sunshine bass (fingerling). The full stocking history is listed above.
Fishing on Bardwell Lake is regulated by the Texas Parks & Wildlife. Check the official Texas regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Lake Waxahachie 9 mi · Lake Halbert 22 mi · Navarro Mills Lake 24 mi · Joe Pool Lake 29 mi · Richland-Chambers Reservoir 31 mi · Cedar Creek Reservoir 33 mi · Alvarado Park Lake 34 mi · White Rock Lake 38 mi · Aquilla Lake 39 mi · Purtis Creek Lake 41 mi · Bachman Lake 41 mi · Lake Arlington 42 mi
See how Bardwell Lake stacks up: best largemouth bass lakes in Texas · best white bass lakes in Texas · best crappie lakes in Texas · best channel catfish lakes in Texas
Browse all Texas fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.