Lake Kickapoo offers fishing and boating in southern Archer County

Lake Kickapoo is in southern Archer County, about 29 miles from Wichita Falls. It covers roughly 6,028 acres and was impounded in 1947 from the North Fork of the Little Wichita River. The lake is a water supply for Wichita Falls and is also open to the public for recreation.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) rates fishing as fair for largemouth bass, white bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish, and white crappie. The water is often murky with little underwater plant life. Bass tend to gather near points and islands. Crappie fishers often use the Kickapoo Fishing Barge, which charges a fee — call (940) 525-4431 for current details. Catfish are found all over the lake, but the upper section tends to be the most productive.

There is a free public boat ramp on the north side of the lake near the dam. It is maintained by the City of Wichita Falls. You need a standard Texas freshwater fishing license to fish outside any fee areas. All fish are subject to statewide size and bag limits. Check the current TPWD Outdoor Annual before you go.