Fishing in Texas Lakes – A Year Round Opportunity
Texas fishing opportunities abound year round for a variety of freshwater fish species by fishing in Texas lakes, rivers, creeks, and ponds.
Natural Fishing Lakes in Texas
The only natural fishing lake in Texas available for fishing is Caddo Lake, located in northeastern Texas on the Texas/Louisiana border. The lake was artificially dammed in the early 1900’s for flood control purposes, but still boasts over 26,000 acres of cypress swamp. The lake holds a variety of freshwater fish species, including largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and sunfish.
Texas Reservoirs
Most available fishing in Texas lakes is via man-made reservoirs. These bodies of water vary in size and offer fishing opportunities for those fishing from the bank as well as opportunities for boat fishermen.
Most of these lakes are located in the eastern half of Texas, but there are others scattered around the state. Many of the lakes were impounded for the purpose of providing flood control and water services for growing communities.
Toledo Bend Reservoir, located on the border of Texas and Louisiana is the largest of these lakes.
Abundant Opportunities for Fishing in Texas Lakes
At last count, I believe there are 169 fishing lakes in Texas. These are public waters and don’t take into account private lakes and ponds.
Many of these are within quick driving distance from major cities like Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio.
I live in the Houston area, so I have had quite a bit of experience in fishing Lake Conroe, Lake Livingston, Lake Houston, Lake Somerville, and Lake Fayette, aka Fayette County Lake. All of these are within one to one and a half hours from Houston and provide ample opportunity to get your line stretched by a variety of species of fish.
The Dallas/Fort Worth area boasts one of the highest concentrations of opportunities for fishing in Texas lakes. Some of these lakes are actually in the metroplex, like Joe Pool Lake and Grapevine Lake. Within 80 miles, you’ll also find, Cedar Creek Lake, Lake Fork, Lake Granbury, Lake Lavon, Lake Lewsville, Lake Ray Hubbard, Richland-Chambers Lake, Lake Tawakoni, Lake Texoma, Lake Whitney and Ray Roberts Lake.
Near Austin, Texas you’ll find Lake Austin, Lake Buchanan, Canyon Lake, Georgetown Lake, Granger Lake, Town Lake, Lake Travis, Walter E. Long Lake, along with Inks Lake, Lake LBJ, and Lake Marble Falls.
To find Texas fishing lakes close to San Antonio, Texas look for Braunig Lake and Calavares Lake.
We are working on a comprehensive list of opportunities for fishing in Texas lakes, so please check back often for the latest updates and information.
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