Lake Murvaul Is Bass Water with Timber Still in It

Lake Murvaul sits on Murvaul Bayou, about 15 miles west of Carthage. It has creek channels, water plants, boat docks, and timber under the surface. The reservoir was impounded in 1958. It covers 3,397 acres and reaches 36 feet deep.

Bass give Murvaul its name with anglers, but they are not alone. TPWD also lists crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, bluegill, and redear sunfish here. Natural cover includes flooded timber, water plants, and creek channels. Docks, riprap, boathouses, and artificial PVC structures add more places for fish to hold.

Access stays local. Panola County Fresh Water District maintains improved boat access at Decker-Hill Park, the FM 1971 bridge area, Rosie Jones Park, and Tinkle Park. Decker-Hill also has the public fishing pier. Camping, picnic, and restroom facilities are available at some parks. Decker-Hill sits near the dam, the FM 1971 sites sit farther uplake, and Tinkle Park is on the south shore off FM 999 and Panola County Road 176. That makes Murvaul less of a postcard lake and more of a county water body people actually use.