Lake Nocona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Nocona |
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| Farmer's Creek Reservoir | |
 Lake Nocona
Location in Texas
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| Location | Montague County, Texas |
| Coordinates | 33°52′N 97°39′W / 33.867°N 97.650°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Built | 1959 |
| First flooded | 1960 |
| Surface area | 1,470 acres (595 ha) |
| Max. depth | 80 feet (24 m) |
| Water volume | 25,400 acre-feet (31,300,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 827 feet (252 m) |
Lake Nocona, also known as Farmer's Creek Reservoir, is a man-made lake in Montague County, Texas. It was created by building a dam across Farmer's Creek. Construction started in 1959 and finished in October 1960. This lake helps provide water for cities, businesses, and mining in the area. It sits about 827 feet (252 meters) above sea level. Lake Nocona holds a lot of water, about 25,400 acre-feet (31.3 million cubic meters). It can be as deep as 80 feet (24 meters) and covers an area of 1,470 acres (595 hectares). The lake is located about nine miles (14 kilometers) northeast of Nocona, Texas.
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Fishing at Lake Nocona
Lake Nocona is a fantastic place for fishing. It is known as one of the best bass fishing lakes in Texas. The lake is home to many different kinds of fish.
Types of Fish You Can Catch
- Largemouth Bass: These are very popular here. The biggest one ever caught in Lake Nocona weighed 13.4 pounds (6.1 kg) in 1997.
- Crappie: A record crappie weighing 1.81 pounds (0.82 kg) was caught in 1999.
- Catfish: Both blue and channel catfish live in the lake. The largest catfish caught was 13.13 pounds (5.96 kg) in 1995.
- Hybrid Striped Bass: These fish are also a good catch. A record 11.3-pound (5.1 kg) hybrid striped bass was caught in 2005.
Best Fishing Spots
The lake has many great spots where fish like to hide. There are areas with standing timber (trees that were left in the water when the lake was filled). You can also find milfoil and floating pondweed, which are water plants that provide excellent cover for fish. Many boat houses around the lake also offer good hiding spots. The rocky areas along the dam, called rip-rap, are perfect habitats for bass and sunfishes. In early spring and winter, big bass can often be found in the deeper, rocky ledges near the dam.
Fun Things to Do at Lake Nocona
Lake Nocona offers more than just fishing! It's a great place for many outdoor activities.
Parks and Camping
The lake has a marina where you can dock boats. There are also places to park your RV and camping grounds if you want to stay overnight. Three public parks are located around the lake:
- Weldon Robb Park
- Joe Benton Park
- Boone Park
All these parks are free to enter and are open all year round. They have boat ramps, making it easy to launch your boat, and fishing piers where you can fish from the shore.
Special Events
The city of Nocona often hosts a special fireworks show at Weldon Robb Park on July 4th. It's a fun way to celebrate and enjoy the lake.
Nearby Towns and Places to Explore
While visiting Lake Nocona, you might want to check out some of the nearby towns and areas:
- Nocona, Texas
- Capps Corner, Texas
- Illinois Bend, Texas
- Spanish Fort, Texas
- Nocona Hills Country Club and Residential Community
