Anyone ever been down there? The wife is wanting to go camping somewhere. I been itching to go down there and test out the redfish. Probably stay at the statepark. Been redfishing in the bays in FL, but never on a lake. Just curious if anyone may have any pointers. Bait, areas to fish, anything.

Thanks.

I've been there and camped there. Never fished for red fish though. Bowfishing for Tilapia is great though. buddy went there the other night and tore them up. Its a nice lake. Its worth checking out. Can't help with the redfish though. I saw some guys catching them, nice size ones too.

where is this???

Take I-45 from Houston or Dallas to Fairfield, Tx. The lake is right outside of town.

Are you just running the banks for tilapia? I was thinking about bringing the bows.

that is what i thought..... trying to see how redfish came into the conversation....

Redfish is a saltwater fish..... Fairfield is a freshwater lake correct?

Yessir. They stocked the lake with redfish though. Supposed to be great fishing.

interesting.... sounds like a good lake to bowfish.... airboats allowed? ill have to look up the state park info.

I don't know about airboats. You can't shoot the redfish, but the tilapia were put in for bowfishing. We're gonna go just to hang out, but it sure would be nice to catch a redfish or two for dinner. I can't even find a baitshop down there, so I don't know what we'll do. Maybe just bring some shrimp and a castnet.

I am curious what the Redfish have adapted to eating..... being its freshwater they may not bite on shrimp like they do in normal salt water fishing

Correct on fresh water and having redfish. The lake is also a power plant lake, so it gets hot. Never went after the redfish, but it has some of the best copper-nose bream fishing in Texas!

The locals will usually help you out. The game warden that lives there is a pretty cool guy and theres always a chance you'll see someone out there at night bowfishing. Best place for bowfishing tilapia is in the back of the coves behind the lilly pads runnin the banks. Oh yeah watch out for stumps near the banks and coots at night when runnin across the lake. Airboats are allowed..... last little bowfishing get together we had 3 big block airboats, 2 fan boats and a couple of trollers.

For day time bowfishing get behind the lilly pads and wade out to knee deep water close to the lilly pads (shooting distance) and watch under the edges for the tilapia to peak out at you. Or you can troll along the edges of the lilly pads (bank side) and watch the edges of them. They can see you and every time you draw they will spook.... its funnny watching them. Hope that helps ya some!

Be shore to note that I was laffin' with you and not at you !!!!

I too know some fellers thats gone down there to shoot them mexican taplopia's and thay came back reportin' a dang good time !!!!

My stepdad and son went there last weekend. troll for the reds like you would a striper. The campground dosent allow open consumption of alcohol, so bring a coozy or a cup. they gt showers and such there.

Grew up on that lake with my grandparents in the summer. Some of the best memories I have are with my grandfather push poling me around back in the creek channels just so I could shoot tilapia. If you've got a bow take it and get in on the action, its a blast. You used to be able to walk the banks and shoot them but last I heard they out lawed that. Bass fishing is decent as well, but IMO I'd chase the tilapia as they are good eating.

Thanks for the info guys. We're going to stay for sat and sun night for Memorial Day weekend. I had read about the alcohol in the park. I bought some cups. Not a problem on the water though right?

Never been any good at trolling but I'll give it a shot. I was debating whether I wanted to fool with the depthfinder, but looks like I may need to if we're gonna be trolling. I didn't want to mount the transducer, but I may just make something with a c-clamp to hold it for the weekend.

I'm am gonna bring the bow for sure. Maybe make the wife push pole me around. LOL.