Jim Chapman Lake Fishing
The level today, plus ramps, records and limits on 19,305 acres in Delta County and Hopkins County.
- 19,305acres
- 55 ftmax depth
- 3boat ramps
- 15.17 lbrecord bass
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified or unknown, Public domain
Jim Chapman Lake by the numbers
Jim Chapman Lake covers 19,305 acres with a maximum depth of 55 feet, has held water since 1991 and sits in the TPWD Prairies & Lakes region, in Delta County and Hopkins County. Location: on the Middle and South Forks of the Sulphur River, northwest of Sulphur Springs in Delta and Hopkins counties.
For catfish and white & hybrid striped bass, the TPWD rating here is excellent.
In 1999 an angler set the lake bass mark at 15.17 pounds.
Clarity tends to be stained; the lake carries aquatic vegetation in the reservoir is typically unstable due to fluctuations in water level. when the reservoir is close to conservation pool elevation, and water is relatively stable, limited amounts of hydrilla and illinois pondweed can be found in shallow areas. american lotus also occurs when t; level changes are listed as moderate.
Controlling authority: US Army Corps of Engineers (903) 945-2108. Jim Chapman Lake facts from the TPWD lake page, checked October 2026.
The live gauge for Jim Chapman Lake
Hourly Jim Chapman Lake stage from TWDB, measured from full pool.
Texas Water Development Board, Water Data for Texas, reading dated 2026-10-10. Retrieved Oct 10, 2026 6:36 am ET. 30 day chart on TWDB.
USGS has no current reading for these gauges.
How Jim Chapman Lake rates for each fish
Survey based ratings for Jim Chapman Lake from TPWD biologists.
Scale used for Jim Chapman Lake: excellent 4, good 3, fair 2, poor 1.
TPWD lists the main species here as White & hybrid striped bass, Largemouth bass, Catfish, Crappie.
Jim Chapman Lake lake records
The biggest fish TPWD has on file for Jim Chapman Lake.
| Species | Weight (lb) | Length (in) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue catfish | 66.7 | 2025-01-17 | |
| Flathead catfish | 44.1 | 43 | 2010-06-12 |
| Channel catfish | 25.5 | 38 | 2001-04-15 |
| Freshwater drum | 23.34 | 34.5 | 2009-09-12 |
| Largemouth bass | 15.17 | 25.5 | 1999-04-04 |
| Hybrid striped bass | 13.15 | 25 | 2025-01-15 |
| Bowfin | 8.98 | 29.25 | 2020-02-01 |
| White bass | 3.22 | 17.25 | 1997-05-24 |
| White crappie | 3.1 | 16 | 1998-04-01 |
| Black crappie | 1.85 | 15 | 2003-04-29 |
Jim Chapman Lake records: TPWD water body records, list updated October 8, 2026. Retrieved October 2026.
Public access points on Jim Chapman Lake
TPWD records 5 access points on the lake, where 3 offer a boat ramp and 0 a marina.
Tira Boat Ramp
Two lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, courtesy docks. (903) 945-5256
Ramp detailsCooper State Park, South Sulphur Unit
Fee charged; restrooms, cleaning stations, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas. (903) 945-5256
Ramp detailsJohn's Creek Ramp
Two lane ramp; restrooms, parking, courtesy docks. (903) 945-3132
Ramp detailsCooper State Park, Doctor's Creek Unit
Three lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, cleaning stations, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas. (903) 395-3100
Ramp detailsCooper Dam Tailrace
No fee; restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking. (903) 945-2108
Ramp detailsBag and length limits for Jim Chapman Lake
The statewide freshwater limits listed below cover Jim Chapman Lake.
| Species | Daily bag | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass | 5 | 14 in minimum |
| Striped bass | 5 | 18 in minimum |
| Hybrid striped bass | 5 | 18 in minimum |
| White bass | 25 | 10 in minimum |
| Flathead catfish | 5 | 18 in minimum |
| White crappie | 25 | 10 in minimum |
| Black crappie | 25 | 10 in minimum |
Limits for Jim Chapman Lake from the TPWD Outdoor Annual, 2026-27 (valid Sep. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2027), checked October 2026.
Recent stockings in Jim Chapman Lake
| Year | Species | Number | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Lone star bass | 136,424 | Fingerling |
| 2026 | Sunshine bass | 100,555 | Fingerling |
| 2025 | Sunshine bass | 190,991 | Fingerling |
| 2025 | Lone star bass | 129,473 | Fingerling |
| 2024 | Palmetto bass | 192,871 | Fingerling |
| 2024 | Sunshine bass | 179,430 | Fingerling |
| 2024 | Lone star bass | 122,715 | Fingerling |
Jim Chapman Lake stocking: TPWD stocking by water body, retrieved October 2026.
Bait stops and guide services near Jim Chapman Lake
- Air-Stream Bait ShopSulphur Springs, 4 miles southwest of the lake, (903) 335-3200
- Dobyns RodsSulphur Springs, 14 miles south of the lake
- The Bait & Tackle ShopSulphur Springs, 16 miles south of the lake, (903) 885-9858
- Sabine Tackle SupplyGreenville, 30 miles southwest of the lake, (903) 454-2861
- Lockhart LuresYantis, 30 miles south of the lake, (903) 383-7663
Shop and guide sources for Jim Chapman Lake: OpenStreetMap, store locators and guide websites (October 2026).
Alongside Jim Chapman Lake
Big Creek Reservoir
6 miles northwest, 520 acres
Sulphur Springs Lake
11 miles south, 1,340 acres
Lake Crook
28 miles north, 1,060 acres
Bois d'Arc Lake
32 miles northwest, 16,641 acres
- Sulphur SpringsHopkins County, 13 miles south
- ParisLamar County, 24 miles north
- YantisWood County, 28 miles south
- PointRains County, 30 miles southwest
- Delta CountyFishing access across the county
- Hopkins CountyFishing access across the county
Before you fish Jim Chapman Lake, some answers
What are the dimensions of Jim Chapman Lake?
Per TPWD, Jim Chapman Lake spans 19,305 surface acres and is 55 feet deep at its deepest point.
When was Jim Chapman Lake built?
The reservoir dates to 1991.
How heavy is the top largemouth from Jim Chapman Lake?
The lake record largemouth bass weighed 15.17 pounds and measured 25.5 inches, caught 1999-04-04, per TPWD water body records.
What other lake records does Jim Chapman Lake hold?
Blue catfish 66.7 lb; Flathead catfish 44.1 lb; Channel catfish 25.5 lb.
Which species rate highest at Jim Chapman Lake?
Survey ratings: largemouth bass fair; catfish excellent; crappie fair; white & hybrid striped bass excellent.
How many places can I launch on Jim Chapman Lake?
TPWD counts 3 boat ramps at Jim Chapman Lake.
Where is the live gauge for Jim Chapman Lake?
The Jim Chapman Lake level box on this page refreshes hourly from TWDB and shows the gap to full pool.
Which rules cover Jim Chapman Lake?
Jim Chapman Lake uses the statewide rules, with largemouth at 5 a day and 14 inches or longer.
Does Jim Chapman Lake get stocked fish?
In 2026 TPWD put 136,424 fingerling lone star bass into the lake, and 7 stocking events are on record since 2024.
Which town is nearest Jim Chapman Lake?
Sulphur Springs is 13 miles south of the lake center, in Hopkins County.
Is there a bait shop near Jim Chapman Lake?
Try Air-Stream Bait Shop in Sulphur Springs, about 4 miles from Jim Chapman Lake, one of 5 shops listed above.
What state parks are close to Jim Chapman Lake?
TPWD names Cooper State Park State Park as the nearby state parks.
Heading to Jim Chapman Lake?
Every Texas lake on this site has the same ramp, record and limit details.