Argyle Lake packs a varied fishery into a lake you can learn without a big boat. Its steep sides give way to flatter, shallower water in the upper arms. That change is worth fishing carefully. Bass, crappie and saugeye give you several options, and fall trout stocking adds a different kind of trip.
Lake facts
- Lake size: About 93 acres
- Fish to target: Largemouth bass, saugeye, crappie, channel catfish and seasonal trout
- Depth: Maximum 34.6 feet
Where to fish
Start with the edges where shallow arm water meets the steeper basin. A small jig will let you check crappie depth without moving far, while a crankbait or jig near bottom is a reasonable saugeye approach. Bass anglers can work shoreline cover instead of spending the whole day in the middle. Channel cats offer another target with a bottom rig.
Getting on the water
The boat ramp is in the northwest arm, inside Argyle Lake State Park north of Colchester. Camping, hiking and picnic areas make it easy to stay at the lake after fishing. Don't count on boat rentals without checking first; the current facilities listing marks them unavailable.
A few things to know
Motors up to 10 horsepower can operate normally; larger motors must stay at no-wake speed. Bass have a protected 14- to 18-inch slot. If you're coming for stocked rainbow trout, check the fall closure and opening dates before making the trip. The shallow upper arms and deeper main basin fish differently as water temperatures change.
Nearby fishing waters
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.