Lake Alan Henry, TX

About Lake Alan Henry

Lake Alan Henry is a clear, deep canyon reservoir on the South Fork of the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River, tucked into the rugged caprock canyon country of Garza and Kent counties southeast of Lubbock, Texas. Impounded in the 1990s and managed as a water supply for the city of Lubbock, it is a relatively young West Texas lake with steep rocky banks, submerged timber, brush, ledges, and bluff walls. At a few thousand surface acres it is modest in size, but its clarity and structure make it fish much bigger than its acreage suggests.

Among Texas anglers, Lake Alan Henry has built a strong reputation as one of the better bass lakes in the region. It is especially well known for producing quality and trophy-class largemouth bass, and it is one of the relatively few Texas waters where anglers can also tangle with spotted (Kentucky) bass. Combined with healthy populations of catfish and crappie, the lake offers a genuine multi-species fishery in a part of the state where good bass water is hard to come by.

Fish Species

Lake Alan Henry supports a well-rounded warmwater fishery, with bass as the headline attraction:

• Largemouth bass — the marquee species and the reason most anglers make the trip. The lake has produced numerous heavy fish, and its Florida-strain genetics, clear water, and abundant structure give it real trophy potential.
• Spotted (Kentucky) bass — a true standout here, since spots are uncommon in most Texas reservoirs. They favor the deeper, rockier, current-influenced areas and offer fast action on lighter tackle.
• Channel and blue catfish — dependable and abundant, providing steady action and good eating from the deeper holes, points, and creek channels.
• Crappie — present around the lake's standing timber and brush, best in spring and around submerged cover.
• Sunfish and other panfish — bluegill and similar panfish round out the forage base and offer easy fun for kids and bank anglers.

Best Seasons & Times

Spring is prime time. As water warms from late winter into spring, largemouth move shallow to stage and spawn along protected rocky pockets, flats, and brush. Pre-spawn and spawn fishing can produce the biggest fish of the year, and crappie also move shallow to spawn around timber. Early morning and the warming midday window both produce.

Summer brings hot, bright West Texas conditions and clear water. Bass pull off the banks and relate to deeper points, ledges, brush, and timber. Fish low light at dawn and dusk for topwater and shallow action, then go deeper with the sun. Catfishing is excellent through the warm months, often best in the evening and after dark.

Fall cools the water and triggers feeding as bass follow shad toward creeks and pockets. Reaction baits shine as fish chase bait, and this is a strong window for numbers and quality. Comfortable weather makes it one of the most pleasant times to fish.

Winter slows things in the cold but rewards patient anglers. Bass and spots hold deep on rock, channel edges, and bluffs, responding to slow finesse presentations. Bright, calm afternoons fish best as the water warms a few degrees.

Techniques & Baits

Clear water and rock define how you should fish Lake Alan Henry. Natural, finesse, and structure-oriented approaches tend to outproduce heavy power-fishing here.

• Finesse plastics — drop shot, shaky head, Ned rig, and small soft-plastic worms in natural shad and green-pumpkin tones excel on the clear, rocky structure for both largemouth and spotted bass.
• Texas-rigged and wacky soft plastics — worked through standing timber, brush, and along bluff edges, especially in the pre-spawn and spawn.
• Jigs and football jigs — dragged on rocky points, ledges, and channel swings; a top choice for bigger bass holding on deeper structure.
• Crankbaits and jerkbaits — squarebills and medium-diving cranks on rock, and suspending jerkbaits in cooler water and clear conditions.
• Topwater — walking baits, poppers, and buzzbaits at dawn, dusk, and during fall shad activity.
• Crappie — minnows and small jigs fished tight to standing timber and brush, especially in spring.
• Catfish — cut shad, prepared/stinkbaits, and live or cut bait fished on the bottom near channels, points, and holes; productive after dark in summer.

Because the water is clear, lighter line, fluorocarbon leaders, and more subtle presentations often make a real difference, particularly under bright, calm conditions.

Access & Launches

Lake Alan Henry sits in remote canyon country southeast of Lubbock, and access is more limited than on larger, more developed Texas reservoirs, so plan ahead. There is public boat-ramp and marina access on the lake, and shoreline and developed recreation areas are available for bank fishing and launching. Some facilities and parts of the lake are managed by the city of Lubbock, and access points, ramp conditions, and lake levels can change with water supply demands and drought, so it is wise to confirm current conditions and any access requirements before you go. The lake's clear water and steep, rocky shoreline reward a boat with electronics for finding offshore structure, but bank and shallow-water anglers can still find productive water near accessible points and pockets.

Regulations & Licenses

A valid Texas fishing license with the appropriate freshwater endorsement is required for anglers of licensing age. Lake Alan Henry is managed under Texas Parks and Wildlife Department rules, and like many Texas bass lakes it may carry special harvest regulations such as slot or length limits for largemouth bass that differ from statewide defaults, along with bag and length limits for other species. These rules are set to protect the fishery and can change, so always check the current TPWD regulations for this specific lake before keeping fish. Practicing catch-and-release on larger bass helps preserve the lake's trophy potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lake Alan Henry known for?
It is best known as a quality and trophy largemouth bass lake in West Texas, with clear water and abundant rock, timber, and brush. It is also one of the few Texas reservoirs where you can catch spotted (Kentucky) bass, plus solid catfish and crappie.

When is the best time to fish Lake Alan Henry?
Spring is the standout for big largemouth as fish move shallow to stage and spawn, and for crappie around timber. Fall is excellent for active, feeding bass following shad. Summer fishing is good early and late in the day and after dark for catfish, while winter is slower but rewards deep finesse tactics.

Are there spotted bass in Lake Alan Henry?
Yes. Lake Alan Henry is one of the relatively few Texas waters with a notable spotted (Kentucky) bass population. Spots tend to hold on deeper, rockier structure and bite well on finesse presentations like drop shots, Ned rigs, and small jigs.

Do I need a license to fish Lake Alan Henry?
Yes. Anglers of licensing age need a valid Texas fishing license with a freshwater endorsement. The lake may also have special harvest rules such as bass slot or length limits, so check the current Texas Parks and Wildlife regulations for this lake before keeping any fish.