Fishing, boating and more can be found at Lake Belton, Stillhouse Hollow Lake

Nan Dickson/Telegram file A kite surfer takes advantage of a steady breeze and surprisingly warm February temperatures to spend some time being pulled across the water by a power kite at Temple Lake Park on Lake Belton.

BY ROBERT SUMMA

TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER

For residents or visitors looking for a way to relax in or on the water, two area man-made lakes provide that opportunity.

Built in 1954 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at a cost of more than $17 million to control flooding within the Brazos River Basin, Lake Belton is surrounded by both Bell and Coryell counties. At 12,385 acres, the lake has 136 miles of shoreline.

There are 16 parks at Lake Belton operated by the Corps. There also are three marinas along the lake — Frank’s Marina, 3269 Lake Road; Morgan’s Point Marina, 16 Calamity Jane Drive; and North Point Yacht Club, 3681 Cedar Ridge Park Road.

Recreation facilities available at the lake include camping, picnicking, fishing, boating and hiking. There are seven campgrounds and day-use facilities at the lake.

For those interested in fishing, some of the species found in Lake Belton include: Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel and flathead catfish, white and hybrid striped bass and sunfish.

Stillhouse Hollow Lake, built in 1968 by the Corps for more than $25 million, covers 6,429 acres.

The lake, which is on the Lampasas River and is south of Interstate 14 and west of Interstate 35, has seven parks operated by the Corps.

Stillhouse Park, 4050 Simmons Road, has the lone marina for the lake.

Within Stillhouse Park there are two group pavilions available for reservations, Island View and Tear Drop. Each can hold up to 120 visitors.

There also are individual picnic sites around the beach area at the park, as well as a swimming beach and playground.

Other recreation activities at Stillhouse Hollow Lake are campsites, boat ramps and trails.

Fish available in the lake include: Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel and flathead catfish, crappie and white bass.

Built in 1954 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at a cost of more than $17 million to control flooding within the Brazos River Basin, Lake Belton is surrounded by both Bell and Coryell counties.