Lake Monticello
Size: 2,000 acres
Age: Impounded in 1972
Location: Lies on Blundell and Smith creeks just west of Mount Pleasant in Titus County off Farm Road 127.
Description: This power plant lake provides cooling water for a lakeside generating plant. The upper end is full of standing timber which provides superb fish habitat. The water is fairly clear for this region but fertile enough to support excellent fishing. Maximum depth is 40 feet.
Controlling Authority: Texas Utilities, 400 North Olive Street, Dallas, TX 75201.
TPWD Fisheries Office: 3802 East End Blvd. So., Marshall, TX 75670,
(903) 938-1007.
Fishing Regulations: Bass -- Three per day, none 14 and 21 inches long. All
others same as statewide.
Stocking History:
Flathead catfish -- 1973
Florida bass -- 1973
Channel catfish -- 1972, 73
White crappie -- 1986
Blue catfish -- 1972, 81
Black crappie -- 1988, 89, 90
Walleye -- 1973, 74
Hybrid sunfish -- 1972
Comments: This may be the showcase lake for restrictive bag limits on bass.
Thanks in part to catch-and-release, this reservoir continues to produce
splendid bass fishing year after year in spite of its small size and intense
fishing pressure.
Lake Records:
| Species | Pounds | Inches | Angler |
| Largemouth bass | 14.09 | 28.00 | Jimmy Rex Kimble |
| Flathead catfish | 38.00 | 40.00 | Jerry D. Roark |
| Blue catfish | 35.50 | 42.00 | David M. Whitley |
Fishing Tips: When the weather is coldest, fishing here can be torrid. For trophy
black bass, use black jigs, live water dogs or diving crankbaits along the
edges of the flooded creek channels to catch fish weighing 10 pounds or
better. Don't forget the catfish! Drifting in a boat with shrimp or minnows can
pay dividends.
Fishing Quality:
Largemouth bass -- 
Catfish --
Crappie --
Sunfish --
Facilities: Boat launching is limited to a single two-lane ramp, and overnight camp
space is scarce. Titus County runs the park facilities, open to the public for a
modest fee.