Lake Amon G Carter
Fishing Report

About Lake Amon G. Carter

Lake Amon G. Carter is on Big Sandy Creek six miles south of Bowie in Montague County (at 33°28' N, 97°52' W). It is owned and operated by the city of Bowie to supply water for municipal and industrial use. Construction of the reservoir began in July 1955, one month after the death of Fort Worth businessman and philanthropist Amon G. Carter. The reservoir was completed the following August. The lake has a normal capacity of 20,050 acre-feet, which increases by 10,000 acre-feet at the crest of the emergency spillway. The surface area is 1,540 acres, and the drainage area above the dam is 100 square miles. The waters of Prairie Branch, Trail Creek, and Brier Creek empty into the lake.

Fishing Amon G. Carter

Lake Amon G. Carter is actually two lakes in one. The original lake was constructed in 1956 and has different habitat than the 500-acre extension constructed in 1985. Habitat in the old lake is characterized by rocky shoreline, main lake points, cattail beds, and some standing timber in the upper end. The new lake is characterized by lots of standing timber and some weed beds along the shoreline. Both parts have rip-rap along their respective dams, providing excellent cover for fish. The 20-foot tunnel that joins the two lakes also provides good cover for some fishes.

Lake Amon G. Carter Fishing Regulations

All species are currently managed under Texas' statewide regulations.