Measuring 21,000 acres in surface area, Lake Conroe is a beautiful reservoir located in eastern Texas, mainly in Montgomery County. Lake Conroe is an impoundment of the west fork of the San Jacinto River, and the lake was created to store water for farming and residential use in Texas.
With clear, clean waters and a 157-mile shoreline dotted with pine forests, Lake Conroe is a popular location for the city-goers of Houston. There is plenty of luxury located near the lake from classy resorts to fine dining, but there are also plenty of quiet nature parks that provide areas for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing for visitors. Of course, the lake itself is a wonderful spot for swimming, playing water sports, boating, and fishing.
There are multiple boat ramps and marinas that allow access to the water for boating and fishing, and anglers are usually quite happy with the variety of fish species that can be caught in the lake. Below are some of the most common fish species that can be found in Lake Conroe.
Lake Conroe Fish Species
1) Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
Channel catfish are the most abundant catfish species that is present in Lake Conroe, and anglers can catch these fish in rocky areas or on the shoreline of the lake. Like all catfish, the channel catfish does not have scales and has barbels on the upper and lower jaw; however, the channel catfish can be distinguished by its deeply forked tail, silvery body, and overbite.
These fish grow to about 10 – 20 inches long and weigh anywhere from 2 – 10 pounds, but the largest channel catfish caught in Lake Conroe was 35 inches long and weighed 18.5 pounds. Catfish tend to eat quite a bit of food, so they use their barbels covered in taste buds to sense their surroundings and find food like snails, fishes, snakes, frogs, insects, aquatic plants, and possibly birds.
2) Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus)
Blue catfish have a substantial fishery at Lake Conroe, and these fish can be found in the cool, deeper waters of the lake. Blue catfish have a blueish-gray back that fades to a white belly, and they possess no spots, unlike channel catfish. These fish generally range between 20 – 60 inches in length and have an average weight of around 20 – 50 pounds. The largest blue catfish caught in Lake Conroe weighed 67 pounds and measured 49.5 inches long.
Blue catfish have jaws lined with tiny teeth that help them eat just about anything they can catch including insects, fish, worms, and crustaceans. The daily creel limit for channel and blue catfish combined in Lake Conroe is 25 fish. Only five of these fish can be 20 inches or greater in length, and only one fish can be 30 inches in length or longer.
3) Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris)
Flathead catfish are not the most abundant fish species in Lake Conroe, but they can still be found in areas of the lake where there are plenty of rocky or woody coverings and deeper waters. Flathead catfish are generally bigger than channel catfish, and flatheads are a mottled brown color with a square tail and an underbite. This species, like the channel catfish, has barbs on its dorsal and pectoral fins, which are used to poke predators or humans that may have startled them.
This species usually averages 20 – 30 inches in length, but the largest flathead catfish caught in Lake Conroe was 86 pounds and 55 inches long. Flatheads are fierce carnivores, and they typically prey on a variety of fish species such as drum, shad, and other catfish species including their own. There is a daily creel limit of five flathead catfish in Texas, and all fish kept must be longer than 18 inches.
4) Spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus)
Spotted bass can sometimes be seen in Lake Conroe because they enjoy very clear waters. They will often be found deeper than largemouth bass in areas with rocky bottoms and steeply sloping sides. This species has an olive green back that fades to silvery sides and a light belly. Spotted bass gets their name from the rows of small dark spots that line their belly.
These fish average around 10 – 17 inches in length and weigh 0.5 – 3.5 pounds, and the spotted bass found in Lake Conroe are usually on the smaller side of that range. Spotted bass also have a tooth patch on their tongues, which helps them eat crayfish, insects, and smaller fishes.
5) Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)
Largemouth bass are the most popular sport fish in Lake Conroe, and they can be found in areas with rocky ledges or vegetation. There are currently three subspecies of largemouths in Lake Conroe: the Florida largemouth, the ShareLunker largemouth, and the Lone Star bass, which are regularly stocked in the water. Largemouth bass get their name from their mouth, which extends past the eye, unlike smallmouth bass. These fish have olive-green bodies with dark mottling along the back and speckles along the sides.
This species typically grows to about 15 – 18 inches long, although the largest largemouth caught in Lake Conroe was 27 inches long and weighed 15.93 pounds. Largemouths are carnivores that primarily feed on crayfish and other fishes but will also eat insects. The daily creel limit for all black bass species combined is five fish, and the minimum length limit for largemouth bass in the lake is 16 inches.
6) Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus)
Black crappies are relatively common in Lake Conroe because they need still, clear waters in order to survive. Black crappies have compressed bodies that are darker green on the back with dark mottling on the silvery sides. They also have 7 – 8 spines on their dorsal fins, which distinguishes them from white crappies, which have 5 – 6 spines.
This species exhibits sexual dimorphism, so the males tend to be larger and darker than the females. Black crappies typically grow to about 8 – 12 inches and weigh 0.25 – 1 pounds, but recently, a 2.4-pound black crappie was caught in Lake Conroe. These fish are able to see relatively well in the dark, so they will generally hunt during the night or early morning for small fish, crustaceans, and insects.
7) White crappie (Pomoxis annularis)
White crappies are slightly less abundant in Lake Conroe compared to black crappies because white crappies prefer more turbid areas to live in. White crappies have compressed bodies that are silvery olive on the back and silvery white towards the belly. These fish have dark vertical bands along the sides of their bodies, and their gill covers have spines. During breeding season, males will look slightly different than females because the males will develop a dark throat.
White crappies average about 9 – 10 inches long and are around 2 pounds as adults, and the largest white crappie found in Lake Conroe weighed in at 2.77 pounds and measured 16.13 inches in length. These fish generally eat smaller fishes like minnows or shad, but they will also eat insects like mayflies. Currently, the daily bag limit for all crappies is 25 fish with a length minimum of 10 inches.
8) Smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus)
Smallmouth buffalo are a type of sucker fish that can be found in the clear, deep waters of Lake Conroe. These fish have brown or coppery backs and sides that fade to pale yellow bellies. Smallmouth buffalo may be confused with its relative, the bigmouth buffalo, but the smallmouth buffalo has very large scales and a larger humped back compared to bigmouths. Smallmouth buffalo also have a smaller mouth that faces downwards, whereas a bigmouth buffalo has a larger mouth that faces terminally.
This species typically grows to 15 – 30 inches in length and weigh 2 – 10 pounds; however, the largest smallmouth buffalo ever caught in Lake Conroe was 39 inches long and weighed 50.8 pounds. Because smallmouth buffalo are part of the sucker family, they feed primarily on the bottom of the lake on invertebrates, insects, shellfish, algae, and other vegetation, which they grind with bony plates in their throat.
9) White bass (Morone chrysops)
White bass are a popular catch in Lake Conroe during the spring and summer, and they are often found near channel breaks, where the water has a slight current. These fish are a silvery white color, and they wear 6 – 8 black stripes laterally across their bodies. White bass have a sharp point on each gill cover, and a single tooth patch on their tongue. They also have an underbite mouth, much like the largemouth bass; however, white bass are more closely related to striped bass.
White bass are mid-sized fish, and they average about 12 – 14 inches in length and weigh around two pounds. The largest white bass caught in Lake Conroe was 3.56 pounds and 18.5 inches in length. This species is highly aggressive when it comes to feeding, and schools of white bass will hunt together for items such as gizzard shad, perch, carp, and other fish species. In Texas, there is a 25-fish daily creel limit for white bass, and all fish kept must be greater than 10 inches long.
10) Striped bass (Morone saxatilis)
Striped bass are somewhat of a popular species in Lake Conroe, and they can be found in waters that are cool, clear, and deep. Striped bass have bodies that are laterally compressed with green or blue backs and silver iridescent sides. These fish also have 6 – 9 black stripes that run horizontally across the body.
Striped bass are larger fish that can grow to about 2 – 3 feet in length and weigh between 10 – 30 pounds. This species does not get incredibly large in Lake Conroe, as the largest striped bass caught in the lake weighed 12.11 pounds and measured 28.5 inches in length. This species is generally piscivorous and will hunt for other fishes at night.
11) Hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis x Morone chrysops)
Striped bass hybrids, also known as wipers, are crosses between striped bass and white bass, and they are produced in hatcheries in order to be stocked in bodies of water like Lake Conroe. These fish prefer waters similar to that of true striped bass in areas that are cool, clear, and deep. Striped bass hybrids have bodies that are laterally compressed and are silver in color with broken dark horizontal lines. This hybrid also has an arched back, much like white bass, in addition to two tongue patches, which they inherit from the striped bass.
Striped bass hybrids grow very rapidly, and they can reach 18 – 20 pounds by eight years of age. These fish travel in schools and will hunt for items such as shad, minnows, crustaceans, and insects. The current daily creel limit for striped bass and hybrids combined is five fish, and all fish kept must be greater than 18 inches in length.
12) Yellow bass (Morone mississippiensis)
Yellow bass may be found in Lake Conroe, and they prefer areas that have little vegetation and low turbidity. This species is characterized by its olive-green back and yellowish sides. They also have seven dark horizontal stripes on the mid to upper portion of their bodies and broken lines on the lower middle portion.
Yellow bass are relatively small, growing to about 6 – 10 inches long and weighing around 8 – 11 ounces, and the largest yellow bass caught in Lake Conroe was 0.88 pounds and 11.25 inches long. These fish do not have tooth patches on their tongues, but they still are able to hunt in schools for insects, crustaceans, and other fishes.
13) Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)
Bluegills are a common sunfish in North America, and they can be found in shallow, vegetated areas of lakes as juveniles, but adults will tend to be in deeper waters during the day. These fish are characterized by having disk-shaped bodies with an olive green back, an orangish-yellow belly, and a black dot at the base of the dorsal fin. Bluegills get their name from the bluish hue surrounding the gill covers.
This species averages around 7.5 inches in length and weighs around half a pound as adults, although the largest bluegill caught in Lake Conroe was 1.41 pounds and 10.5 inches in length. These fish have very little mouths, so they will only eat smaller prey such as zooplankton, insects, worms, and snails. Bluegills are a main source of food for many larger fish species such as largemouth bass, so they have adapted to be maneuverable. For instance, this species can make very quick stops by spreading out their pectoral fins.
14) Longear sunfish (Lepomis megalotis)
Longear sunfish like the cooler, clear waters of Lake Conroe, where there are plenty of coverings to hide in. This species closely resembles other panfish, but they have a few distinguishing characteristics. One characteristic is that they have orangey-red bodies that are covered in light blue spots. This species also has an elongated ear flap that lacks a dot, unlike pumpkinseed sunfish. Longear sunfish also have a blue streak on the top of their mouths that other panfish do not have.
These fish average about 5 – 8 inches long and weigh around six ounces. Unlike many other sunfish, longear sunfish like to feed near the surface of the water on aquatic insects, microcrustaceans, fish eggs, and juvenile fishes.
15) Redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus)
Redear sunfish are found in Lake Conroe in areas where the water is warmer and has a moderate amount of cover. These fish have laterally compressed bodies that are usually green, gray, or olive, and they will sometimes have dark flecks and vertical lines along the length of them. Redear sunfish get their name from their black opercular (ear) flap which has a bright red border in males and an orange border for females.
This species can grow up to 12 inches long and generally weigh under two pounds. Redear sunfish are benthic feeders, and once they become adults and develop a strong jaw, they will almost exclusively feed on aquatic snails. These fish are slightly harder to catch compared to bluegills, but they are still willing to bite many kinds of bait, which makes sunfish a perfect starter fish for new anglers.
16) Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum)
Gizzard shad can be found near the shorelines of Lake Conroe where there are higher winds and turbidity. This species has silvery-blue backs that fade to white sides, and they average between 6 – 8 inches long and 1 – 8 ounces in weight. These fish also have a long final ray on the dorsal fin that resembles a whip.
Gizzard shad get their name from their unique muscular stomach that acts almost like a bird gizzard, which breaks down plant matter and phytoplankton that the fish filter feed on from the water column. This species is very important for the health of many ecosystems including Lake Conroe because they help control plankton populations, and they are a prey item for many other fish species including crappies, white bass, and black bass.
17) Threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense)
Threadfin shad is a prey species commonly found in Lake Conroe, and they are mainly found in shallower waters where the temperature is warmer. These fish have a silvery-blue back that fades to whitish sides and a belly. Their fins, especially their deeply forked caudal fins, are usually tinted yellow, and their chins have black speckles.
Threadfin shad look very similar to gizzard shad, but a major difference is that the threadfin shad’s upper jaw does not project beyond the lower jaw, unlike the gizzard shad. Threadfin shad are also smaller than gizzard shad, as adult threadfin shad grow to about 2 – 3 inches in length and weigh about one ounce. Threadfin shad almost exclusively eat zooplankton and phytoplankton, which they either filter feed through their gill rakers or hunt individually.
18) Freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens)
Freshwater drum, also known as sheepshead, is a fish that will most likely be found in the shallow, muddy waters of Lake Conroe. This species gets its name from the drumming or croaking noise males can make with a specific muscle in their body to attract mates. Freshwater drum are characterized by their silver bodies with a lateral line that extends all the way through their caudal fin. They also have a steeply sloping body that gives them the appearance of a humpback.
This species averages about 10 – 14 inches long and usually weighs up to five pounds. Drum have large teeth that help them eat a variety of prey at the bottom of the lake including snails, insects, small fish, and invasive zebra mussels.
19) Bowfin (Amia calva)
Bowfin can be found in Lake Conroe where the water is very clear and there is vegetation; however, they are able to breathe air, so they can also survive in areas that are subject to desiccation if they bury in the mud. These fish have long, slim bodies with an elongated dorsal fin and a round tail. Their bodies are olive or brown with dark mottling, and their bellies are cream or white in color. Bowfins also have no scales on their heads. Instead, their heads are covered in bony plates.
These fish grow to about two feet long and generally weigh less than 20 pounds. Bowfin have powerful jaws and many sharp teeth, so they are easily able to ambush many types of prey including fishes, frogs, small snakes, and birds.
20) Longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus)
Longnose gar are a relatively popular bowfishing species, and they prefer to live in slow or still waters that may be warmer. This species has very long, cylindrical, olive-brown or blue-gray bodies with white bellies and dark spots on the fins. These fish can vary in size depending on where they live, but they tend to be around 2.5 – 4 feet long and weigh about seven pounds, although they can grow to be much larger. The largest longnose gar caught in Lake Conroe measured 56.5 inches long and weighed 29.04 pounds.
Longnose gar also have a long narrow snout and mouth that contains razor-sharp teeth. When they hunt for prey, such as other fishes, they will lay motionless at the surface of the water stalking their prey. When the prey is close enough, the gar will thrash its snout and impale the unsuspecting prey with its teeth.
