Stillhouse Hollow Lake, TX

About Stillhouse Hollow Lake

Stillhouse Hollow Lake is a clear, deep impoundment of the Lampasas River in Central Texas, just south of Belton and a short drive from Killeen, Temple, and the Fort Cavazos area. Built and operated as a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood-control reservoir, it covers roughly 6,000 acres at normal pool and is known among Texas anglers for its noticeably clean, clear water, rocky shorelines, and steep limestone bluffs. That clarity and structure give it a different character than many of the stained, timber-filled lakes elsewhere in the state.

The lake earns its reputation on a few standout fisheries. It is one of the better Central Texas waters for smallmouth bass, which thrive on its rock and gravel, and it produces strong runs of white bass that draw crowds up the Lampasas River arm each spring. It also offers respectable largemouth bass, a hybrid striped bass fishery, and a solid year-round population of channel, blue, and flathead catfish. Add easy access from the I-35 corridor and you have a reservoir that fishes well for both serious bass anglers and families looking for a productive day on the water.

Fish Species

Stillhouse Hollow holds a diverse mix of warmwater gamefish. The species it is best known for:

• White bass (sand bass) — Abundant and a signature fishery here; large schools roam open water and stage for a strong spring spawning run up the Lampasas River.
• Smallmouth bass — One of the lake's claims to fame. The clear, rocky habitat suits smallmouth, and Stillhouse is considered among the more reliable smallmouth lakes in Central Texas.
• Largemouth bass — Present throughout, relating to rock, brush, points, and creek channels. Numbers are good, with quality fish for anglers who target structure in clear water.
• Hybrid striped bass — Stocked and providing hard-pulling open-water action, often mixing with white bass over schools of shad.

Other species worth targeting include channel, blue, and flathead catfish, plus panfish such as crappie (around brush and bridge structure) and sunfish/bluegill. The forage base is dominated by threadfin and gizzard shad, which drives much of the open-water bite.

Best Seasons & Times

Spring is prime time. As water warms, white bass make their well-known run up the Lampasas River arm and into feeder creeks, offering fast action on small jigs and spinners. Largemouth and smallmouth move shallow to spawn around rock and gravel, and crappie stack on brush and bridges. Mornings and evenings are best as the season progresses.

Summer pushes fish deeper in the clear water. Early morning and late evening topwater can be excellent, but midday fishing means working deeper points, humps, ledges, and bluff edges. White bass and hybrids school heavily over open-water shad — watch for surface feeding frenzies and diving birds, which can produce nonstop action. Night fishing for catfish is popular and effective in the heat.

Fall brings cooling water and another strong feeding period. Schooling white bass and hybrids chase shad to the surface, and bass feed aggressively on points and flats to fatten up. This is one of the best windows for fast, visual fishing.

Winter slows the pace but rewards patience. Fish hold deep and tight to structure; slow presentations work for bass and crappie, while catfish and the occasional schooling white bass still come on calm, stable days. Midday often fishes better than dawn in cold weather.

Techniques & Baits

Because Stillhouse runs clear, lighter line, more natural colors, and longer casts often outproduce heavy, flashy presentations. Match approaches to the target species:

• Smallmouth bass: Work rock, gravel, and bluff transitions with finesse tactics — drop shots, Ned rigs, tubes, small swimbaits, and football jigs in shad and crawfish colors. Smallmouth here respond well to natural, subtle presentations.
• Largemouth bass: Crankbaits and Carolina rigs on points and ledges, soft plastics (worms, creature baits) around brush and rock, and topwater early and late. In clear water, downsize and use natural hues.
• White bass and hybrids: When schools surface, throw small slabs, jigging spoons, swimbaits, or topwater into the frenzy. Subsurface, vertical-jig spoons over deep shad schools or troll. During the spring run, small jigs, in-line spinners, and live minnows fished up the river arm are deadly.
• Catfish: Cut shad, live bait, prepared/stink baits, and chumming over flats and channels. Flatheads favor live bait near cover; blues and channels roam flats and creek channels.
• Crappie: Minnows and small jigs around submerged brush piles and bridge pilings.

Electronics that help you locate shad schools and offshore structure are a real advantage on this lake, especially in summer and winter when fish go deep.

Access & Launches

Stillhouse Hollow Lake is easy to reach from the I-35 corridor between Belton and Killeen, making it convenient for anglers in Temple, Killeen, and the greater Fort Cavazos area. As a Corps of Engineers reservoir, it offers public access including boat ramps, day-use areas, and parks managed around the lake, along with developed facilities near the dam end. Some access points and parks may charge day-use or launch fees, and conditions can vary, so it is wise to confirm what is open before you go. Bank and wade fishing opportunities exist around rocky shorelines, parks, and near the dam, while a boat opens up the lake's many points, bluffs, and the productive Lampasas River arm. Expect popular ramps and parks to be busy on spring and summer weekends, so arriving early helps.

Regulations & Licenses

A valid Texas fishing license with the appropriate freshwater endorsement is required for anglers of the applicable age — check current requirements before fishing. Statewide and water-specific rules apply to species such as largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass, hybrid striped bass, crappie, and catfish, and these size (slot/length) and daily bag limits can change and vary by species. Always review the current Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Outdoor Annual or the agency website for the latest regulations before your trip. As a Corps of Engineers lake, standard boating, safety, and park rules also apply, so be sure your boat is properly equipped and registered.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish is Stillhouse Hollow Lake best known for?
It is best known for its white bass (sand bass) runs and for being one of Central Texas's more reliable smallmouth bass lakes, thanks to clear, rocky water. It also offers largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, and good catfishing.

When is the best time to fish Stillhouse Hollow Lake?
Spring is the top season, with the white bass run up the Lampasas River arm and bass moving shallow to spawn. Fall is also excellent for schooling white bass and hybrids chasing shad on the surface. In summer, fish early and late or go deep midday.

Why does Stillhouse Hollow fish differently than other Texas lakes?
The lake is unusually clear and deep with rocky, limestone shorelines instead of stained, timber-filled water. Clear water means fish can be line- and lure-shy, so lighter line, natural colors, and finesse presentations often outproduce heavy tackle.

Do I need a license to fish Stillhouse Hollow Lake?
Yes. A valid Texas fishing license with a freshwater endorsement is required for anglers of the applicable age. Size and bag limits vary by species and can change, so check the current TPWD Outdoor Annual before you go.