Location: In Rusk County, on Martin Creek 3 miles southwest of Tatum on Texas Highway 43
Surface area: 4,981 acres
Maximum depth: 35 feet
Impounded: 1974

• • • Largemouth bass
    • Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Sunfish

A Triploid Grass Carp Permit is in effect on this lake. If a grass carp is caught, it must be immediately returned to the water unharmed. All other species are currently managed under statewide regulations.

Habitat in Martin Creek Reservoir consists of standing timber, creek channels, and minor stands of lily pads.

Anglers are most successful at catching largemouth bass during the fall and spring months. Due to cooler water temperatures and spawning behavior, fish are typically found in shallow water. When fish are active, crankbaits and spinnerbaits are usually the preferred choice. During the hot summer, the bite slows and fish activity is usually concentrated during early morning, late evening, and at night. Poppers, propeller baits, stickbaits, and buzzbaits are good topwater choices during low light conditions. Very little shoreline cover is present in this reservoir. Therefore, as the sun rises, most bass concentrate on deep ledges and creek channels. During this time, deep-running crankbaits and carolina rigs are the preferred baits.

Crappie fishing is good year-round with jigs and minnows fished over brushpiles and bends in creek channels, but fishing is best during the spring spawn. Anglers catch channel catfish throughout the reservoir with stinkbait in areas baited with soured grain. A few flathead catfish are caught on trotlines with live bait. Sunfish, especially bluegill and redear sunfish, can be caught year-round but fishing peaks during the late spring or summer when fish are on their spawning beds. Small jigs, spinners, earthworms, and crickets all catch sunfish.