Fishing / Recreation

Lake Kemp: the 15,590-acre reservoir north of Seymour

Lake Kemp sits on the Big Wichita River in Baylor County and covers about 15,590 acres. It offers public fishing for striped bass, white bass, catfish, crappie, and largemouth bass, with multiple boat ramp access points.

Baylor County The Great Outdoors

Lake Kemp covers about 15,590 acres. It sits on the Big Wichita River, north of Seymour off US 183. The dam was finished in 1923. The City of Wichita Falls and the Wichita County Water Improvement District No. 2 own it together. It is a main water supply for Wichita Falls, even though the lake is outside that city.

TPWD rates largemouth bass fishing as good when the lake is at normal levels. Striped bass, white bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, white crappie, and spotted bass are also in the lake. Boat ramps are available around the lake. Ramps can become unusable when the water level drops. Check TPWD for current conditions before you go. Confirm access details on the TPWD lake page before your visit.

All fish at Lake Kemp follow standard statewide rules. Check the TPWD Outdoor Annual or the TPWD lake page for current rules before you fish. The nearest TPWD fisheries office is in Wichita Falls at (940) 766-2383.

Source to confirm: TPWD — Fishing Lake Kemp

More Baylor County notes

Property tax

How the homestead exemption cuts your Baylor County property tax bill

Texas lets homeowners who live in their primary home claim a homestead exemption. It lowers the taxable value of your home. Baylor County homeowners apply through the Baylor County Appraisal District in Seymour.

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Agricultural valuation

Ag valuation in Baylor County: lower taxes, but a rollback if you change the land

Texas lets qualifying farm and ranch land be taxed on its agricultural productivity value, not market value. That is usually much lower. But if you change how the land is used, you owe a rollback tax covering the past three years.

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Water / Groundwater

Drilling a well in Baylor County? You are tapping the Seymour Aquifer

The Seymour Aquifer is the main freshwater source under Baylor County. The Rolling Plains Groundwater Conservation District oversees well permits and water use in the county.

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Emergency / Weather hazards

Severe weather in Baylor County: tornadoes, hail, and extreme heat

Baylor County is in an active tornado and severe thunderstorm corridor. It has had 29 recorded tornadoes since 1950, including an EF3 near Seymour in April 2025. Large hail and extreme summer heat are also real hazards.

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