Southwest-Lake Conroe, Texas
Lake Conroe, Texas, is a 20,000-acre lake west of Houston on the outskirts of the Sam Houston National Forest. Lake Conroe has bluegill that "grow to enormous sizes," according to the Texas Department of Fish and Wildlife. Rangers with the TDFW report interviewing anglers with, "12-inch bluegills in their creels." Rangers recommend fishing the lake along the rip-rap and fishing deep near the toe of the slope of the lake.
Lake Conroe
394 FM 1375 W.
New Waverly, Texas 77358
936-344-6205
tpwd.state.tx.us
Midwest-Stockton Lake, Missouri
Stockton Lake, in Stockton State Park, Missouri, is one of the Midwest's best bluegill lakes. Stockton Lake is a deep lake with abundant aquatic vegetation, which makes is prime waters for bluegill. The lake covers more than 25,000 acres. The Missouri Department of Conservation reports the lake is one of the cleanest in the state. The MDC stocks the lake yearly and governs 55 fish beds for healthy fisheries, bluegill included.
Stockton State Park
19100 S. Hwy. 215
Dadeville, MO 65635
417-276-4259
mostateparks.com
Southeast-Beaver Lake, Arkansas
Beaver Lake, Arkansas, is reported as a top bluegill lake. The lake/reservoir is northeast of Springdale, Arkansas, and occupies 28,000 acres. Arkansas State Fisheries Biologists work the lake gathering information on the various species and overall health of this deep, clean lake. According to at the Fishingnotes.com, bream (bluegill) fishing here is some of the best in the state. Guides writing in at the website report success along the vegetation near the shores and under overhanging trees and structures.
Beaver Lake
21392 East Highway 12
Rogers, AR 72756-8183
479-789-2380
arkansasstateparks.com
Article Written By Eric Cedric
A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.
