About Lake Charlotte, TX

Lake Charlotte is a large body of water in Chambers County with a diameter of 1.5 miles. It is part of the "Largest Westernmost Cypress Swamp," together with Lake Miller and Mud Lake, with Lake Charlotte being the largest of the three.

Nicholas Descomps Labadie, a well-known physician, pharmacist, and entrepreneur, built a plantation on the shores of Lake Charlotte in the 1830s. During the Texas Revolution, he was also recognized as the surgeon who tended Sam Houston's soldiers and several injured soldiers in San Jacinto. Lake Charlotte was named after Charlotte Barthe Labadie, Nicholas Descomps Labadie's mother.

Lake Charlotte is becoming a popular recreational fishing destination for locals and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors find it a perfect area to go kayaking or paddle boating due to the tranquil and current-free waters. Lake Charlotte, conveniently accessible through I-10, receives many tourists each week, particularly anglers seeking catfish or bass.

All About Fishing in Lake Charlotte, TX

According to locals, Lake Charlotte's waters are usually clear due to the lack of current. Although the water is generally clear and shallow, the open waters are occasionally covered with a bloom of duckweed. This does not negate the fact that Lake Charlotte is teeming with largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish regardless of the season or water conditions. Fish can nest in the minimally disturbed waterways, especially since the waters are rich in cypress trees, algae, weed, and mangroves.

It's also crucial to be aware of the current fishing laws enforced by Texas Parks and Wildlife before planning a fishing expedition to Lake Charlotte. Largemouth bass, for example, has a daily limit of five fish with a minimum length of 14 inches. While there is no minimum size limit for channel catfish, there is a daily limit of 25. Furthermore, anglers can catch as many bluegill as they want, and there are no size limits. 

Spinning tactics are popular among anglers in Lake Charlotte because they are suitable for kayak fishing. Anglers can kayak the shallow regions of Lake Charlotte and take their chances when jigging because portions of the lake are shallow. Because the water in Lake Charlotte may get frigid, it's best to spin from a kayak or canoe. Lake Charlotte's water conditions are suitable for anglers of all levels, making it a great training ground for novice anglers or those looking to improve their skills, regardless of method. According to most locals, the best bait to use at Lake Charlotte is shrimp, especially when hunting bass.

Fishing Seasonality

In Texas, largemouth bass spawning begins in the spring when water temperatures reach around 60°F. This could happen anytime between February and May. When the water temperature reaches around 70°F, bluegill reproduce, and spawning may peak in May or June. However, it continues until the fall as water temperatures decline. Bluegill has a long spawning season because of its solid reproductive potential, leading to overpopulation, even in low-fishing-pressured water bodies like Lake Charlotte. This also explains why bluegill fishing is unregulated and unrestricted. Channel catfish spawn when water temperatures approach 75°F in late spring or early summer.

Fishing Seasonality

In Texas, largemouth bass spawning begins in the spring when water temperatures reach around 60°F. This could happen anytime between February and May. When the water temperature reaches around 70°F, bluegill reproduce, and spawning may peak in May or June. However, it continues until the fall as water temperatures decline. Bluegill has a long spawning season because of its solid reproductive potential, leading to overpopulation, even in low-fishing-pressured water bodies like Lake Charlotte. This also explains why bluegill fishing is unregulated and unrestricted. Channel catfish spawn when water temperatures approach 75°F in late spring or early summer.

All About Fishing in Lake Charlotte, TX

According to locals, Lake Charlotte's waters are usually clear due to the lack of current. Although the water is generally clear and shallow, the open waters are occasionally covered with a bloom of duckweed. This does not negate the fact that Lake Charlotte is teeming with largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish regardless of the season or water conditions. Fish can nest in the minimally disturbed waterways, especially since the waters are rich in cypress trees, algae, weed, and mangroves.

It's also crucial to be aware of the current fishing laws enforced by Texas Parks and Wildlife before planning a fishing expedition to Lake Charlotte. Largemouth bass, for example, has a daily limit of five fish with a minimum length of 14 inches. While there is no minimum size limit for channel catfish, there is a daily limit of 25. Furthermore, anglers can catch as many bluegill as they want, and there are no size limits. 

Spinning tactics are popular among anglers in Lake Charlotte because they are suitable for kayak fishing. Anglers can kayak the shallow regions of Lake Charlotte and take their chances when jigging because portions of the lake are shallow. Because the water in Lake Charlotte may get frigid, it's best to spin from a kayak or canoe. Lake Charlotte's water conditions are suitable for anglers of all levels, making it a great training ground for novice anglers or those looking to improve their skills, regardless of method. According to most locals, the best bait to use at Lake Charlotte is shrimp, especially when hunting bass.