Purtis Creek's Old Bass Reputation Needs an Update

Purtis Creek is a fishing lake built with anglers in mind, but its bass rule needs a careful read. The roughly 350-acre lake has standing timber, rocky cover, shoreline plants, and two accessible fishing piers. Texas Parks and Wildlife built the impoundment in 1985, and the lake opened to the public in 1988. Catfish, crappie, and largemouth bass remain the main draw.

The old catch-and-release reputation no longer tells the whole story. Under the current lake rule, anglers may keep largemouth bass that are 16 inches long or shorter. Larger fish generally go back. A bass at least 24 inches long may be held briefly for weighing, and a fish weighing 13 pounds or more may qualify for the ShareLunker program under TPWD's instructions.

Fishing inside the state park does not require a Texas fishing license, but harvest rules still apply. The park keeps motorboats at idle speed, enforces a no-wake policy, and limits how many motorboats can be on the lake. Two piers, ramps, and loaner tackle make the lake approachable for someone learning to fish.

The live regulation page matters more than the lake's old reputation. Check it before keeping any bass because size and bag rules can change. The park page also carries current alerts, day-use availability, and fees.