Fishing near Abilene, Texas
The water near Abilene, from closest lake to bait shops.
- 4lakes in 30 mi
- 16access points
- 5shops nearby
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An angler overview of Abilene
The closest lake with TPWD data to Abilene is Kirby Lake, about 5 miles south of town.
The 30 mile list holds 4 lakes, led by Kirby Lake, Fort Phantom Hill Lake, Lake Abilene and Lake Clyde.
A 20 mile circle around Abilene holds 16 public access points on the TPWD map, including river access on Clear Fork of the Brazos River and Cal Young Park Lake.
TPWD stocked 800 rainbow trout at Cal Young Park Lake in Abilene during the 2025-2026 winter season. In 2020, Abilene was home to 125,182 residents.
Distances: Abilene town center to each lake point, straight line.
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Kirby Lake
5 miles south, 740 acres; excellent catfish.
See detailsFort Phantom Hill Lake
12 miles north, 4,213 acres; excellent catfish and crappie.
See detailsLake Abilene
17 miles southwest, 595 acres.
See detailsLake Clyde
18 miles southeast, 449 acres.
See detailsSweetwater Reservoir
33 miles west, 630 acres.
See detailsLake Coleman
33 miles southeast, 2,000 acres.
See detailsWinters-Elm Creek Reservoir
36 miles south, 337 acres.
See detailsOak Creek Reservoir
42 miles southwest, 2,375 acres.
See detailsPublic access around Abilene
Access points and lakes within reach of Abilene.
- Clear Fork of the Brazos River5 access points within 20 miles
- Cal Young Park Lake1 access point within 20 miles
Points around Abilene: TPWD access layer and GLO coastal inventory.
Bait stops and guides around Abilene
- A Fisherman's Retreatbait tackle, 2 miles northeast, (325) 672-0813
- Fishing Villagebait tackle, 4 miles southwest, (325) 695-4707
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Abilenesporting goods, 4 miles southwest, (325) 271-6950
- Big Country Bait & Grocerybait tackle, 11 miles north, (325) 676-9043
- Rafter K Outfittersbait tackle, 17 miles south, (325) 554-7609
- The Honey Hole Rv Park Fishing Dock and Bait ShopFreshwater guide, (325) 518-2607
Abilene listings: OpenStreetMap contributors, store lists and guide websites, October 2026.
Trophy records around Abilene
| Species | Weight | Lake | From town | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carp, Bighead | 90 lb | Kirby Lake | 5 miles | 2000 |
| Catfish, Flathead | 61.25 lb | Fort Phantom Hill Lake | 12 miles | 2011 |
| Catfish, Blue | 61.15 lb | Lake Clyde | 18 miles | 2023 |
| Carp, Grass | 33.78 lb | Fort Phantom Hill Lake | 12 miles | 2015 |
| Gar, Longnose | 25.86 lb | Fort Phantom Hill Lake | 12 miles | 2017 |
| Drum, Freshwater | 20.7 lb | Fort Phantom Hill Lake | 12 miles | 1997 |
| Buffalo, Smallmouth | 19.5 lb | Fort Phantom Hill Lake | 12 miles | 2002 |
| Bass, Hybrid Striped | 16.74 lb | Fort Phantom Hill Lake | 12 miles | 2016 |
| Carp, Common | 16.62 lb | Fort Phantom Hill Lake | 12 miles | 2020 |
| Bass, Largemouth | 14.83 lb | Lake Coleman | 33 miles | 2021 |
TPWD all-ages rod and reel lake records, lakes within 40 miles of Abilene.
Winter trout in Abilene
| Location | Trout stocked | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Cal Young Park Lake | 800 | 12/1/2025, 2/3/2026 |
Abilene trout dates: TPWD winter stocking schedule, 2025-2026 season.
Answers for anglers in Abilene
Which TPWD lake sits closest to Abilene?
Try Kirby Lake, about 5 miles south from the center.
How many lakes are within 30 miles of Abilene?
Count 4 lakes with survey data, including Kirby Lake, Fort Phantom Hill Lake, Lake Abilene and Lake Clyde.
Which lake near Abilene covers the most water?
Fort Phantom Hill Lake covers 4,213 acres and sits 12 miles off.
Where is public shore access near Abilene?
The TPWD layer lists 16 public access points within 20 miles of Abilene across lakes and streams.
Which rivers are close to Abilene?
Try Clear Fork of the Brazos River and Cal Young Park Lake, all within 20 miles.
Where is bait sold in Abilene?
The nearest is A Fisherman's Retreat in Abilene, 2 miles away.
Is there winter trout fishing in Abilene?
TPWD released trout at Cal Young Park Lake in the 2025-2026 season.
Which Texas county is Abilene located in?
Look under Taylor County.
Do minors need a license to fish near Abilene?
A license starts at age 17, so younger kids fish free near Abilene.
How do I know if lakes near Abilene are low?
Live TWDB levels sit on each lake page, such as Kirby Lake.