Aside from their famous BBQ, Texas is also home to some of the richest fishing lakes. If you’re planning to go south for a fishing trip, you shouldn’t miss these seven spots. From trout, catfish, bass, crappie, alligator gar, and more, these lakes are teeming with the biggest catches. So pack your tackle and let’s take a quick trip to these best lakes to fish in Texas:
Best Lakes to Fish in Texas
1. Lake Conroe
Located in Montgomery County, this 21,000-acre lake is popular among anglers. It’s only an hour drive away from Houston, making it very accessible if you’re going around Texas.
Lake Conroe is a man-made lake that’s literally carpeted with catfishes. Locals also claim that the catfishes you’ll catch on Lake Conroe are some of the tastiest ever. So if you love catfish, this is the lake to be.
Aside from fishing by the banks, you can also rent kayaks to fish on deeper parts of the lake. Take note that this lake is also the reserve where the whole Houston gets their water supply. You may also notice that there are a lot of boats on the lake during the peak season.
2. Lake Amistad
Lake Amistad is situated in the northwest part of Del Rio. Its water is no doubt rich because it feeds directly from the Rio Grande River. Lake Amistad is a large reservoir that stretches for up to 64,900 acres.
Anglers will have a good spot here, especially during spring or fall. The winds are stronger in the other seasons, which will make it difficult to get a good catch.
Lake Amistad takes pride in its bass fishery. In fact, this place hosts fishing competitions because of its ideal landscape and water topography.
You’ll find largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, striped bass, and catfish on Lake Amistad’s waters. Remember that you must secure the necessary fishing license before you can take any marine life Lake Amistad because it’s a reservoir.
3. Lake Texoma
Off the borders of Oklahoma is the famous Lake Texoma. Many anglers gather here to catch channel catfish and blue catfish, with some growing as heavy as 100+ pounds. Remember that a large part of Lake Texoma is located in Oklahoma, so you should only fish on the Texas part after securing a permit.
To secure a permit to fish in Lake Texoma, you must pay for a $12 license. The place implements strict rules to prevent the spread of any invasive species.
Lake Texoma is much larger than Lake Amistad since it spans at a vast 74,686 acres. Aside from catfish, you can also catch crappie, a variety of bass, and bluegill on its waters.
Aside from the lake, you can also visit the five public parks that surround the reservoir.
4. Lake Buchanan
If you want to catch white bass or striped bass, Lake Buchanan is the best place to visit. This is a man-made lake that took shape after the Buchanan Dam construction that feeds from the Colorado River.
Since this lake is deeper than Texoma or Amistad, you can also chance upon some flathead, blue, and channel catfishes. You can also catch sunfish and crappie on good days.
Overall, Lake Buchanan has a highland vibe. To boost the fishing industry here, the local authorities have added fish-attracting structures. You can use the local GPS in the area to locate such structures so you can boost your catch.
Bow fishers should seek the advice of the local authorities before fishing.
5. Lake Fork
Lake Fork rose to fame among anglers with its big bass fishes. This 27,000+ acre reservoir is just 65 miles off Dallas. Lake Fork is designed to become a prime bass fishing spot, so it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to large catches.
The lake is teeming with largemouths, black and white crappie, sunfish, white bass, and channel catfish. Take note that this lake is shallower for just 70 feet deep.
If you’re planning to fish in Lake Fork, you must note the length limit as well as bag sizes for the fishes. For example, the daily bag limit for bass fish is just five, which can be a combination of any bass species. Each fish species have a specific limit except common carp.
6. Cedar Creek Lake
Cedar Creek Lake is only a short distance from Fort Worth-Dallas Metroplex, so it’s very accessible to anyone visiting Texas. This lake is about 32,000 acres big with a maximum depth of 53 feet.
This lake is known for bass fishing, with the best spots located near the waterfront. If you want to catch largemouth bass, you should seek the lower end of the lake. However, if you don’t want to go too far from the crowd, you should stick near the Twin Creek or Caney Creek.
Aside from largemouth bass, you can also catch striped and white bass as well as flathead, channel, and blue catfish in Cedar Creek Lake. There’s also a fair number of crappie on these waters.
7. Granger Lake
Granger Lake is located northeast of Austin, Texas. This is a favorite among anglers who want to catch crappie. The best time to fish here is during spring when the crappies are the most active in foraging.
Aside from the famed crappie, you can also chance upon some catfish here if the weather is good. However, largemouth bass is a rarity here.
This is a smaller lake for just 4,000 acres, but there are clear access points for fishing, parking, and other amenities. It’s a shallow reservoir with barely any aquatic vegetation, and the water is turbid. Instead, it’s dominated by laydowns, willows, and stumps.
Conclusion
The best lakes to fish in Texas will take you into a unique fishing experience. You can take a trip around Texas to experience these waters and see its rich marine life. Just make sure that you secure all the needed permits so you can fish without the hassle.
