Anna has its own fishing pond at Natural Springs Park, which is a great starting point — but once the kids are hooked on fishing, a few solid spots open up within a reasonable drive south into McKinney, Prosper, and beyond. Lake Lavon, one of the best crappie fishing reservoirs in North Texas, is just under 25 miles away. Texas keeps the barrier to entry low: kids under 17 don't need a fishing license, so a spontaneous fishing trip is always doable. Here are the best fishing spots within 25 miles of Anna.
Top-Rated Fishing Spots Near Anna
1. Natural Springs Park (Anna)
Location: 1201 W White St, Anna, TX 75409
Anna👶 Best for all ages💲 Free🚗 0.9 miBest canopy for a small toddler party in Anna. Natural Springs' 20-person gazebo fits a typical 3-year-old birthday perfectly — a dozen kids, a handful of parents, room for cake and presents without the chaos of a bigger space. Two picnic tables, and electricity on-site if you're bringing a crockpot or speaker. The spring-fed pool and open field give little legs a place to run between songs and cake, and the whole setup costs $10/hour with a returnable deposit.
Good to know: catch-and-release, fishing pier, free entry, walking trails, playground, gazebo, picnic area, dog park, restrooms.
Parent tip: Catch-and-release means you'll want to practice releasing fish gently before the trip — it's a good teaching moment for kids. The pier fishes best early morning when the water is coolest and catfish are most active near the surface.
For current hours and seasonal closures, see the official Natural Springs Park page.
2. Melissa Lake Park (Melissa)
Leaving Anna, you're looking at under 10 min without traffic, close enough that the kids won't gripe about the car ride.
Location: 4101 Liberty Way, Melissa, TX 75454
May 2026 opener with light crowds: This brand-new pad hasn't yet become the summer pilgrimage spot, which means you might actually find parking and space to spread out. The pirate theme keeps younger kids engaged longer than plain ground jets would. Pair it with the nearby playground or bring a rod for the fishing pond when water play loses its appeal.
Parent tip: Brand new as of May 2026 — gear up for lighter crowds while it's still finding its audience. Bring your own kayak or fishing gear; the park is self-service. Kids under 17 fish free in Texas; adults need a valid Texas fishing license.
For weather closures, seasonal restrictions, or maintenance schedules, view the Melissa Lake Park city page.
3. Towne Lake Recreation Area (McKinney)
Starting in Anna, the drive takes about 18 min without traffic, and the round trip still fits inside a morning.
Location: 1405 Wilson Creek Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75071
McKinney's closest fishing option—a stocked pond with a pier and playground attached: Towne Lake Recreation Area is barely a half-mile from the Craig Ranch corridor and puts a stocked fishing pond, dedicated pier, and playground all in one 50-acre park. Channel catfish and largemouth bass are the consistent catches, and the pier height is right for younger kids. When a fishing trip needs a backup plan for attention-span limits, the playground is 30 yards from the water.
Good to know: 22-acre lake, lighted fishing pier, catfish, bass, bluegill, free entry, paddle boats, disc golf, lighted trails, restrooms.
Parent tip: The lighted pier makes evening fishing after 6 PM a productive option in summer when the afternoon heat makes daytime miserable. Bring your own bait — no shop on site. See what else is happening in McKinney this week if you want to make a full day of it.
Planning a specific day? Check the Towne Lake Recreation Area status page for closures first.
4. Bonnie Wenk Park (McKinney)
Leaving Anna, you're looking at about 18 min without traffic, close enough that the kids won't gripe about the car ride.
Location: 2996 Virginia Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75071
The flagship McKinney park that earns the drive from Allen: Five separate playground structures across 216 acres means you can rotate through activities without the crowds of a single massive playground — zipline, ropes course, toddler section, fishing, dog park, and paved trail. It's the park McKinney residents brag about.
Good to know: 5-acre stocked pond, fishing pier, catfish and bass, free entry, all-abilities playground, splash pad, dog park.
Parent tip: Shore fishing is as good as the pier here — the banks are gradual and safe for small kids to stand at the water's edge. A simple worm-and-bobber rig works reliably on the catfish population all year.
5. Frontier Park (Prosper)
Starting in Anna, the drive takes about 22 min without traffic, and the round trip still fits inside a morning.
Location: 1551 W Frontier Pkwy, Prosper, TX 75078
Older siblings have trails and fishing while toddlers splash: The splash pad is the draw, but the 79 acres around it keep everyone busy. Paved trails (1.7 miles), a catch-and-release pond, and ball fields mean your eight-year-old actually has something to do while your three-year-old handles the water. The oak canopy picnic area keeps shade simple.
Good to know: catch-and-release pond, TPWD rainbow trout (Feb derby), catfish, bluegill, free entry, batting cages, splash pad, lighted sports fields, restrooms.
Parent tip: Fishing Derby registration fills fast — follow Prosper Parks & Recreation on social media or watch prospertx.gov for registration dates each winter. For non-derby visits, morning catfish fishing is the most reliable year-round option.
Before heading out, review the Frontier Park status dashboard for seasonal maintenance updates.
6. Katherine B. Winniford Park (McKinney)
For Anna families, plan about 22 min each way, and McKinney is easy to get around once you're there.
Location: 4900 Highlands Dr, McKinney, TX 75072
The Metroplex's nearest rainbow trout pond to Anna: Katherine B. Winniford Park in McKinney is the most underrated fishing spot in Collin County — a 2.5-acre pond that gets a TPWD rainbow trout stocking every fall through early spring. If your kid has only ever caught catfish, this is the accessible way to introduce them to trout fishing without a long drive to the Hill Country. The pond also has a creek element kids enjoy exploring on the bank between casts.
Good to know: TPWD rainbow trout stocked Oct–Mar, 2.5-acre pond, creek feature, free entry, trails.
Parent tip: Visit October through March for the trout stocking window. PowerBait (salmon egg or cheese) and small spinners outperform live worms on stocked trout — pick some up before the trip. This spot is worth the drive from Anna specifically for the trout experience.
7. Lake Lavon (Lavon)
Not a quick stop from Anna at 23 miles, so it's best combined with other Lavon stops to make the drive worthwhile.
Location: East Fork Park, Lavon, TX 75166
Winter crappie at your doorstep from Anna: Lake Lavon is where Anna families go for the crappie bite — 21,400 acres of Collin County reservoir that ranks with the best of the Dallas area every winter and spring. Free shore fishing at 16 access points, reliable catfish year-round, and the spring white bass run that families actually mark on their calendar.
Good to know: 21,400 acres, crappie, white bass, catfish, bass, free shore fishing, 16 public access points, boat ramps, picnic areas.
Parent tip: The north and east shore access points are closest to Anna. Spring crappie fishing near submerged brush piles is what the lake is famous for. Adults need a valid Texas fishing license; kids under 17 fish free. See TPWD's Lake Lavon page for current regulations and access point details.
Save yourself a wasted trip — the Lake Lavon page lists current hours and closures.
How we picked these
We started with Anna's own Natural Springs Park and then mapped the best free, publicly accessible fishing spots within 25 miles — a slightly wider radius than our usual 20 miles because Anna sits at the northern edge of Collin County and good options thin out quickly heading further north. We prioritized stocked city ponds for their beginner-friendliness, then included Lake Lavon for families ready for a real reservoir experience. Spots with annual fishing events (Prosper's derby, Frisco's Trick-A-Trout) got extra weight as the best first-fishing experiences available. No private or pay-to-fish venues included.
Planning your visit
Texas fishing licenses are required for anglers 17 and older — purchase at tpwd.texas.gov or any Academy or Bass Pro location. Kids under 17 fish completely free in Texas. Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) are the most productive seasons for bass and catfish in this area. Summer fishing is best before 9 AM or after 6 PM. Katherine B. Winniford Park and Prosper's Frontier Park are seasonal for trout — plan those trips October through March. A basic medium-light rod, 8 lb. line, bobber, and a container of worms covers you at all six spots.
For more kids' events near Anna this week, see the Anna events page.
Anna Kid Fishing Checklist
- A rod sized for small hands: a short push-button spincast combo is far easier for a child to cast than a long rod, and it tangles less.
- Pinch the barbs flat: a quick squeeze with pliers turns any hook barbless. It comes out of a fish (or a thumb) in seconds and barely affects your catch rate.
- Sun protection and water: hats, SPF 50+, and a full bottle each. Natural Springs Park and most spots on this list sit out in open sun with little shade on the bank.
- Pliers, a small first-aid kit, and snacks: pliers for hooks, the kit for the occasional poke, and snacks because kid patience runs on a short clock.
Fishing Piers, Stocked Ponds & Places to Fish Near Anna
- Fishing piers: Natural Springs Park, Towne Lake Recreation Area and Bonnie Wenk Park have a fishing pier: a stable, railed platform over deeper water, the easiest place to start a young kid without wading the bank.
- Stocked ponds: Melissa Lake Park, Towne Lake Recreation Area, Bonnie Wenk Park and Katherine B. Winniford Park are regularly stocked, so there are actually fish to catch. That's the difference between a first trip that hooks a kid and one that bores them.
- Bank fishing: Katherine B. Winniford Park has open, walkable shoreline to cast straight from land, no boat or pier needed.
- Open water: Melissa Lake Park, Towne Lake Recreation Area and Lake Lavon step up to a full lake with a boat ramp when your kids outgrow the city ponds.
Licenses, Limits, and Catch-and-Release
- Know the license rule: in Texas, anyone 17 and older needs a fishing license; kids under 17 fish free, and bank fishing is license-free inside any Texas state park.
- Check bag and length limits: each species has its own keep limits, posted on the Texas Parks & Wildlife site. When in doubt, release it.
- Handle fish with wet hands: dry hands strip the slime coat that protects a fish. Wet your hands first, support the belly, and keep it out of the water only as long as a photo takes.
- Pack out your line: discarded fishing line tangles birds and turtles. A zip bag for old line and hooks keeps the bank safe for the next family.
Anna Fishing Spots, Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best fishing spots for kids near Anna, TX?
Our 2026 guide picks 7 standout fishing spots within about 25 miles of Anna. The top picks include Natural Springs Park, Melissa Lake Park and Towne Lake Recreation Area, each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.
Are fishing spots near Anna free?
Yes, every fishing spot in this guide is free to visit, with no admission fee or ticket required for Natural Springs Park, Melissa Lake Park, Towne Lake Recreation Area or any of the other picks.
What is the closest fishing spot to Anna?
Natural Springs Park is the closest pick at under a mile from Anna. It's the easiest one to fit into a weekday afternoon, short drive, low commitment, easy to leave early if the kids melt down.
Do I need a fishing license to fish near Anna?
In Texas, anyone 17 and older needs a fishing license, but kids under 17 fish free, and you can fish license-free from the bank in any Texas state park. Most of the spots in this guide are free public access, check the official page linked on each card for parking, pier hours, and any local rules.
Are there fishing piers or stocked ponds near Anna?
Yes, Natural Springs Park, Towne Lake Recreation Area, Bonnie Wenk Park have a fishing pier; and Melissa Lake Park, Towne Lake Recreation Area, Bonnie Wenk Park are regularly stocked. A pier gives kids a stable, railed spot over deeper water, and a stocked pond means there are actually fish biting, both make the difference on a first trip. Each card above notes what that spot has.