Averhoff Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Averhoff Reservoir |
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 Averhoff Reservoir
Location in Texas
Averhoff Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Zavala County, near Crystal City, Texas |
| Coordinates | 28°48′N 99°49′W / 28.800°N 99.817°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Nueces River |
| Primary outflows | Nueces River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 174 acres (70 ha) |
| Max. depth | 28 ft (8.5 m) |
| Surface elevation | 600 ft (180 m) |
Averhoff Reservoir is a cool, narrow lake in Zavala County, Texas. It's about 10 miles (16 km) north of Crystal City and 100 miles from San Antonio. This lake is actually a reservoir, which means it's a large, artificial lake used to store water.
It was built in 1948 by a local water district. The main reasons for building it were to provide water for farms, offer fun recreation, and help control floods. Two dams were built across parts of the Nueces River to create this lake. The Zavala-Dimmit County Water Impound District takes care of the dam and the lake. Averhoff Reservoir is also a great spot for fishing and boating!
The lake covers about 174 acres, which is like 130 football fields! It can get as deep as 28 feet (about 8.5 meters). Normally, the water level is around 600 feet above sea level, but it can change a lot, sometimes by 15 feet or more. The water is usually clear or just a little bit cloudy. Back in 2005, a plant called Illinois pondweed grew in some parts of the lake, covering about 4 acres.
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What Can You Do at Averhoff Reservoir?
Averhoff Reservoir is a popular place for fishing! To make fishing even better, different types of fish have been added to the lake over the years. You can find fish like crappie, catfish, and largemouth bass here.
Fish Stocking History
Stocking means adding young fish to a lake to help the fish population grow. Here's a look at when and how many fish were added to Averhoff Reservoir:
| Species | Year | Number Stocked | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bass, Florida Largemouth | 2017 | 18,799 | Fingerling |
| Bass, Florida Largemouth | 1998 | 32,568 | Fingerling |
| Bass, Florida Largemouth | 1995 | 31,969 | Fingerling |
| Bass, Florida Largemouth | 1994 | 31,917 | Fingerling |
| Bass, Palmetto | 1983 | 1,620 | |
| Bass, Palmetto | 1981 | 1,300 | |
| Bass, Palmetto | 1979 | 3,550 |
Fishing is the main fun activity at the reservoir. The rules for catching fish here are the same as the rules for fishing across the whole state.
Where Do Fish Hide?
The banks of Averhoff Reservoir are made of mud and gravel. You'll also see trees and bushes hanging over the water, and some dead trees standing in the lake. These spots are great places for fish to hide! There aren't many water plants growing in the lake itself.
Fishing Tips for Anglers
If you like to fish for bass, the best times to visit are in the fall, winter, and spring.
- In the early morning and late evening, try using "topwater" baits like buzzbaits. These float on the surface.
- "Texas rigged" and "Carolina rigged" worms and lizards are also popular. Try fishing these around the bushes that hang over the water.
If you're looking for catfish, you can find them all over the lake.
- "Stinkbait" and "cutbait" (small pieces of fish) work really well for catfish.
For crappie anglers, try these tips:
- In the fall and winter, look for deep spots where fish might be hiding. Use small jigs (a type of fishing lure) with light fishing line.
- In the spring, fish near structures in water that's about 3 to 6 feet deep. Small spinners and jigs are good choices then.
