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Lake Fort Phantom Hill

Boat Ramps
6
Access Points
7
Species
20

Lake Fort Phantom Hill is a 4,213-acre impoundment located on Elm Creek in Jones County, approximately seven miles north of Abilene, Texas. Constructed in 1938, this reservoir offers a maximum depth of 66 feet and features 29 miles of shoreline. The lake is owned and operated by the City of Abilene for municipal, industrial, and recreational purposes. It's characterized by stained to muddy waters with red coloration in the upper end, and experiences moderate to severe water level fluctuations. Despite these challenges, Lake Fort Phantom Hill provides excellent angling opportunities for multiple fish species and has become a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts in West Central Texas.

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Lake Fort Phantom Hill. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Public Fishing Pier

Public Fishing Pier

Access Point

Know where you can legally fish on Lake Fort Phantom Hill

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Texas licenses and regulations

Texas Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Texas Fishing License

All residents and visitors over the age of 17 require a Texas fishing license to reel in fish, mussels, clams, and crayfish across the state. In addition, you’ll need specific tags or endorsements based on the size of the catch and its location.

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Texas Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Texas Stream Access Laws

Access must usually be obtained through the use of public property. The typical access may be from the right of way of a public road that crosses the stream, through a publicly owned boat launch area, or from some other public land (a park, for example) adjacent to the stream. There is no general right to cross private property to get to a navigable stream. There are a number of privately owned parks or campgrounds where members of the public may have access to a navigable stream by paying a small fee to the landowner. If the private landowner forbids access, an attempt to use the private land would be a trespass. Texas courts have recognized that a member of the public may engage in a variety of lawful activities along a navigable stream. Besides boating, persons may swim, float, walk, wade, picnic, camp, and (with a license) fish. Public use must be confined to the stream bed and, to a limited extent, the banks. State law prohibits parking on a highway bridge and generally forbids (with certain exceptions) parking in the main traveled part of a highway. Within a public road’s right of way, private fencing that restricts public passage to the stream is illegal.

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Take Lake Fort Phantom Hill with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

  • Use the map without signal

    Download the map around Lake Fort Phantom Hill to use it offline when coverage drops.

  • Log your catches here

    Keep a private fishing journal for Lake Fort Phantom Hill to find where and when fish are biting for you.

  • HD depth charts from Garmin

    Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.

Get the onWater Fish app

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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

See the best times to fish Lake Fort Phantom Hill and check the forecast before you go.

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