Bonham Lake is a 1,020 acres lake with a Recreation Area on the east side of the lake providing a public boat ramp, handicap access, and picnic and camping facilities. A second public ramp is available on the north shore. A boat permit is required.
Most of the shoreline is ringed with cattails which provide some cover for small fishes. Scattered boat houses also provide cover for largemouth bass, crappie, and sunfish. There is a modest amount of standing timber and cut banks which provide habitat for catfish. Probably some of the best cover is provided by the 1.5 miles of rip-rap along the dam.
Fish the dam with spinner baits in the spring for largemouth bass. Spinner baits are also good in the many coves that are lined with cattails. The edges of the cattails hold lots of bass. Later on in the summer and into fall go to worms and crankbaits for bass. Crappie fishing is best in the winter and early spring. In the winter they are deep in schools near cover and in the spring they move into the shallow shoreline to spawn. Jigs or minnows are baits of choice. Channel and blue catfish are best from late winter through the fall. Drift fish using liver, blood bait, crawfish, or cheese.