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Fishing

Man fishing on pier at Champion Lake

Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge currently offers three tracts for fishing opportunities. Champion Lake is our largest and easiest to access. You can drive right up to the 150-foot fishing pier, fish from a boat, or along a 3,000-foot levee. The lake consists of 800 plus acres of flooded cypress trees and buttonbush. The McGuire tract requires a quarter mile walk to a two acre pond and adjacent bayou. The Brierwood tract allows access to Gaylor Lake/Davis Bayou bank line less than 50 yards from the parking area. You will have the opportunity to catch bass, crappie or catfish at each of these areas. The wildlife is always abundant. Keep your eye out for alligators, opossum, beavers, otters, not to mention a few snakes.

Except for a portable toilet at Champion Lake, no other facilities are available.

Please leave the area cleaner than when you arrived.

These areas are the only FREE public fishing spots in Liberty County.

 

Click here for a map of Champion Lake
large mouth bass

General Refuge Regulations

* Public entry by walk-in only is permitted year-round from sunrise to sunset. Some tracts may be closed during hunting season.
* Current state fishing license is required for fishing, crabbing and/or crawfishing.
* Hunters must apply through a lottery system for a refuge hunt permit.
* Fishing is permitted only with pole and line, rod and reel or hand-held line.
* No fishing or entry within 200 yards of an established bird rookery (large concentrations of nesting birds) from March through the end of June.
* The use of trot lines, setlines, bows and arrows, gigs, spears, fish traps, crawfish/crab nets, or any traps or nets is not permitted.
* No catching of frogs or turtles.
* Boat motors are limited to 10 horse power or less. Boats with larger motors may be used but with trolling motors only.
* Vehicles are allowed only on roads or parking areas designed for such use.
* Disturbing or collecting any plant or animal is prohibited except under special permit.
* No firearms except by Refuge permit.
* Dogs or other pets must be leashed at all times.
* No swimming, water skiing, personal watercraft (Jet Skis), airboats, horses, or all-terrain vehicles.

What a catch!
A youth enjoying a day at Champion Lake
young boy holding fish
kids playing on pier
Photo by: Mike blessington, FWS  
         
Southwest Region 2 Site | National Wildlife Refuge System | USFWS National Site  
Questions? Need help with this web site?
Contact the Refuge Manager at fw2_rw_trinityriver@fws.gov