Welcome to our new blog. We plan to feature articles by Texas fishermen who are skilled in the art of catching sunfish. If you would like to join our group please feel welcome. If you would like to post on this site please contact me at lilburn@uwmail.com. I have contacted many of you, and I await hearing from you and receiving your first article. Please limit your posts to how-to articles and stories about your fishing experiences. The more pictures the better. Controversial items, criticism of TPWD, and such should best be posted on the TFF or other forum. If you decide to post on a regular basis I will need a picture of you, your real name and your website if you have one. You will be added to the sidebar as one of our fishermen. No handles or avatars, please.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park

This past weekend my wife and I took the Palo Pinto county historical tour. This tour is a self guided driving tour which covers about 8 sites in Palo Pinto County with historical significance. One of the stops this year was the newest Texas state park, the Palo Pinto Mountains State Park.


The term Palo Pinto Mountains refers to range of hills in western Palo Pinto County, Texas. The name Palo Pinto roughly translates to "painted stick" because the early settlers found totem poles carved by the Indians in the area. Isolated, rugged, and scenic, the ridge extends some fifteen miles, from near the intersection of Texas State Highway 16 and Farm to Market Road 207 in the southwest, to Crawford Mountain just south of the Fortune Bend on the Brazos River in the northeast. Although small, the range contains steep slopes and deep valleys. The high point is Crawford Mountain at the north end, with an elevation of 1,470 feet (450 m) and about 360 feet (110 m) of prominence.

The state park is located near the city of Strawn. The park consists of about 4000 acres. Palo Pinto Creek runs along the north edge of the property. The park contains Tucker Lake, which is stocked with bass, catfish and crappie. The lake is only 81 acres when full, and at present is low. The lake is reached by an unimproved gravel road off FM2372.

The park superintendent is John Ferguson. Mr. Ferguson can be reached at 254-210-3015 or email john.ferguson@tpwd.state.tx.us.

According to Mr. Ferguson the park will not be open to the general public for some time, depending upon when the state legislature appropriates funds for development. However, the park is available for use by groups by contacting Mr. Ferguson. The lake is open for fishing, but it is a rugged climb down to the water. I did not see a boat ramp.