Lake Nasworthy, TX

About Lake Nasworthy

Lake Nasworthy is a small constant-level reservoir on the South Concho River just southwest of San Angelo in West Texas. Built primarily as a cooling and water-supply lake, it covers only a few hundred acres, which makes it easy to learn and a favorite among local bank anglers, kayakers and small-boat fishermen. Because it is kept near full pool year round and sits in a region where many other waters fluctuate hard with drought, Nasworthy stays consistently fishable and gets steady pressure from the San Angelo community.

The lake is best known as a reliable, accessible warm-water fishery. Anglers come here for largemouth bass, a strong panfish population of crappie and sunfish, and a dependable catfish bite. Its compact size, residential and park shoreline, abundant docks and shoreline vegetation, and warm water temperatures driven in part by historic power-plant influence give it a productive, structure-rich character that fishes bigger than its acreage suggests.

Fish Species

Lake Nasworthy supports a typical but well-rounded West Texas reservoir community. The standouts are largemouth bass and catfish, with crappie and sunfish rounding out the everyday catch.

• Largemouth bass — the marquee gamefish here; the lake's docks, riprap, points and vegetation hold a healthy population and produce solid numbers plus the occasional quality fish.
• Channel and blue catfish — abundant and a mainstay for bank and boat anglers alike; channel cats are the bread-and-butter, with blues running larger.
• Crappie — found around docks, brush and submerged structure, best in spring and fall.
• Sunfish (bluegill and other panfish) — plentiful along the shoreline and a great target for kids and bank fishing.
• Hybrid striped bass / white bass — present in the system and a bonus catch for anglers chasing schooling fish; check current stocking and what is biting locally before targeting them.

Best Seasons & Times

Spring is the prime window. As water warms, largemouth move shallow to spawn around docks, flats and vegetation, and crappie stack up on brush and dock pilings. Pre-spawn and spawn periods produce some of the year's best bass fishing. Summer brings hot West Texas conditions; bass and catfish remain active but shift their best bite to early morning and the last hour of light, while midday fish hold deeper or in shade under docks. Summer nights are excellent for catfish. Fall cooling triggers a strong feeding push — bass chase bait on points and crappie return to predictable structure, making it a productive and comfortable season. Winter slows the pace but the lake stays fishable; target the warmest part of midday, slow your presentations, and expect catfish and crappie to keep biting in deeper, more stable water.

Across all seasons, low-light periods at dawn and dusk are the most reliable, and overcast or lightly breezy days often extend the bite well into the day.

Techniques & Baits

Largemouth bass: Work the lake's abundant docks, riprap, points and grass edges. Soft plastics — Texas-rigged worms and creature baits, wacky-rigged stick worms, and shaky heads — excel around cover. Squarebill and lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits and chatterbaits cover water along riprap and points, and topwater walking baits or poppers shine early and late in warm months. Skipping plastics or jigs under docks is a high-percentage tactic.

Crappie: Vertical-jig or use a slip float with small jigs and live minnows around dock pilings, brush and submerged structure; spring and fall are best.

Catfish: Bottom-fish cut bait, shad, shrimp, chicken liver, or prepared stinkbait off points, channel edges and near structure. Night fishing in summer is especially productive for channel and blue cats.

Sunfish: Small hooks tipped with worms or crickets under a bobber along the bank will keep panfish coming steadily.

Access & Launches

Lake Nasworthy sits within the city of San Angelo and offers good public access for its size. There are public boat ramps, day-use parks and considerable shoreline frequented by bank and kayak anglers, plus a residential and recreational shoreline with numerous private docks. The lake is well suited to small boats, kayaks and bank fishing, and its compact footprint makes it easy to cover. For current ramp locations, park hours and any access details, check with the City of San Angelo and local park information before your trip, as facilities and conditions can change.

Regulations & Licenses

A valid Texas fishing license with the appropriate freshwater endorsement is required for anglers of licensing age. Statewide and water-specific rules apply, and slot, length and daily bag limits vary by species and can change from year to year. Before fishing, review the current Texas Parks and Wildlife Department regulations for Lake Nasworthy and the species you plan to keep, and confirm any local park or city rules. Practicing selective harvest and releasing larger bass helps keep this small, heavily fished lake healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish is Lake Nasworthy known for?
Largemouth bass and catfish are the headliners, with channel and blue catfish offering a dependable year-round bite. The lake also has good crappie and sunfish populations, and hybrid striped/white bass show up as a bonus catch.

When is the best time to fish Lake Nasworthy?
Spring is the top season as bass spawn shallow and crappie gather on structure. Fall is also excellent for feeding bass and crappie. In summer, fish early morning, evening, and overnight for catfish; winter is slower but still fishable midday.

Can you fish from the bank at Lake Nasworthy?
Yes. The lake sits within San Angelo and has plenty of public shoreline, parks and ramps, making it very bank- and kayak-friendly. Catfish, sunfish and crappie are all reachable from shore, especially near docks and structure.

Do I need a license to fish Lake Nasworthy?
Yes. Anglers of licensing age need a valid Texas fishing license with a freshwater endorsement. Bag and length limits vary by species and can change, so check current Texas Parks and Wildlife Department regulations before keeping fish.