Best Fishing Spots in Texas: Where the Pros Go to Fish
Texas, with its expansive landscapes, is a paradise for fishing enthusiasts, boasting some of the best saltwater fishing in Texas. From the sprawling Gulf of Mexico to the secluded nooks of its rivers and lakes, Texas offers an abundance of opportunities for catching a wide variety of fish, including Marlin, Largemouth Bass, and Speckled Trout. Whether you're drawn to the thrill of Texas gulf fishing for majestic Billfish or prefer the tranquility of fly fishing in one of the best fishing lakes in Texas, the state's rich fishing culture and diverse ecosystems make every cast an adventure.
Navigating the vast options for fishing in Texas can be overwhelming, but knowing where the pros go can turn an ordinary fishing trip into an unforgettable journey. This article will guide you through some of the prime locations, from the lush waters of Caddo Lake to the bountiful depths of Lake Texoma, revealing why these spots are considered the best places to fish in Texas. Ready your tackle box and prepare to explore the good fishing lakes in Texas, where every catch tells a story of adventure and patience.
Caddo Lake
Stepping into the serene world of Caddo Lake, you immerse yourself in Texas's only natural lake, a haven known for its shallow, cypress-filled waters and swampy bayous. This unique ecosystem, named after the Caddo Indians, houses one of the largest flooded cypress forests in the US, setting the stage for an unparalleled fishing experience. Here, trophy bass fishing reigns supreme, with a record bass weighing over 16 lbs (16.17 lbs) being a testament to the lake's rich biodiversity.
Fishing Services and Opportunities:
Paul Keith's Caddo Lake Guide Service: Offers comprehensive fishing trips, leveraging over 38 years of experience. Services include:
Half-day trips (5 hours) are $350.00 for 1 or 2 people and $100 for each additional person.
Expert guidance on productive fishing patterns and areas.
Up-to-date tips and techniques, plus emergency medical services.
Featured in prestigious outlets like Field and Stream and the Discovery Channel.
Other Notable Services: are $350.00 for 1 or 2 people and $100Caddo Lake Fishing Guide Services, Caddo Pro Bass Guide Services, and Ole Jigger Caddo Lake Adventures, among others, offer a variety of fishing and scenic tours, including bass, crappie, and bream fishing.
Best Times and Species:
Winter into Early Spring: Ideal for crappie and white bass.
Late Spring: Sunfish and catfish thrive.
Spring: Largemouth bass season.
Year-Round: Chain pickerel can be found interspersed throughout the year.
Caddo Lake's enchanting environment provides a backdrop for fishing, wildlife viewing, and photography, making it a multifaceted destination for enthusiasts and families alike.
Choke Canyon Reservoir
Venturing an hour outside of San Antonio, you'll find Choke Canyon Reservoir, a prime destination for those seeking the thrill of fishing in Texas. Nestled within the Frio River watershed in Live Oak and McMullen Counties, this reservoir boasts steep rocky banks, ample vegetation, and a variety of fish species that promise an adventurous fishing experience.
Key Features and Fishing Opportunities:
Surface Area & Depth: Encompassing 25,670 acres with a maximum depth of 95.5 feet, providing diverse fishing habitats.
Fish Species: Home to Alligator gar, Largemouth Bass, White Bass, Crappie, and various Catfish species.
Vegetation & Structure: Features include steep rocky banks, creek channels, submerged timber, and native aquatic vegetation, creating perfect ambush spots for predatory fish.
Best Fishing Practices:
Seasonal Tips: For Largemouth bass and Alligator gar, fishing is fruitful year-round. Cooler months are ideal for Blue Catfish and White Bass, while Crappies and Catfish thrive in warmer seasons.
Tactics: In spring, use spinnerbaits and crankbaits, top water baits near weed beds in summer, and switch to deep-water fishing with crankbaits and Texas-rigged worms as the seasons change.
Remember, Choke Canyon Reservoir is known for its fluctuating water levels and clear to slightly stained waters, adding a layer of challenge and excitement to your fishing adventures. Whether you're casting from the rocky shores or navigating its vast waters, each catch is a testament to the reservoir's abundant life and the angler's skill.
Lake Texoma
As you navigate the vast waters of Lake Texoma, an 89,000-acre reservoir straddling the Texas-Oklahoma border, you're entering a world-renowned for its year-round fishing opportunities. This lake, a sanctuary for anglers chasing the thrill of catching striped bass, largemouth bass, catfish, and more in Lake Texoma, Texas, is where you need to be for an unforgettable fishing adventure.
Seasonal Fishing Guide:
Spring (March to May): Experience the excitement as stripers move into shallow waters chasing warmer temperatures. Early spring is perfect for drifting live bait on rocky shorelines. By April, follow the stripers into deeper waters.
Summer to Fall (June to October): The season kicks off with topwater action in May, peaking with lure fishing in October. Drifting live bait through schooling stripers beneath seagulls is exhilarating.
Winter: Though stripers slow down, deadsticking with artificial lures like soft plastic flukes can yield fantastic results.
Regulations and Limits:
Bass: 12-inch minimum length; daily bag limit of 5.
White Bass: 10-inch minimum; daily bag limit of 25.
Catfish: No length limit; daily bag limit of 15, with a 5-fish limit for blue catfish.
Amenities for Anglers:
Lake Texoma isn't just about the fish; it's about the experience. With several marinas, campgrounds, and parks, it's ideal for both day trips and extended stays. Fishing guides and rental boats are readily available in this boating Texas hotspot, ensuring you have the expertise and equipment to explore the lake's diverse fishing spots. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to the sport, Lake Texoma offers a fishing adventure like no other, with the promise of making every cast count.
Lake Amistad
As you set your sights on Lake Amistad, you're exploring a 64,900-acre reservoir known for its crystal-clear, blue waters and exceptional fishing opportunities. Located just 12 miles northwest of Del Rio, this lake is a haven for anglers seeking diversity in their catch and quality in their fishing experience. Here's a quick guide to making the most of your time at Lake Amistad:
Fish Species & Best Times to Fish:
Catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, white bass.
Largemouth bass are best caught in fall, winter, and spring.
White bass fishing peaks in January and March.
Fishing Reports & Updates:
Stay informed with Lake Amistad fishing reports, supported by Toyota and the federal Sport Fish Restoration program.
Text TPWD REPORT to 468-311 or subscribe via email for weekly updates.
Zebra Mussel Alert: Remember to drain water from boats and onboard receptacles to prevent the spread of zebra mussels.
Lake Amistad Fishing Report Highlights:
Recent Catches: Notable catches include largemouth bass in the 5-8lb range, with tournament bags over 28lbs.
Fishing Patterns:
Shallow: Successful presentations include 5-inch Optimum BLT swimbaits and finesse worms in 1-15 feet of water.
Mid-Depth: Senko-type baits and 10-inch worms are productive in the 5-25-foot range, with football jigs and Carolina rigs dominating the 10-30 feet zone.
Deep: The deep bite near creek points is still productive with drop-shots in 20-50ft.
Lake Amistad's status as a National Recreation Area underscores its beauty and the quality of its fishing opportunities, making it a must-visit for any angler looking to cast their line in Texas waters.
Lake Fork
As you cast your line into the waters of Lake Fork, a 27,690-acre reservoir designed as a premier bass fishing lake since 1980, you're entering a realm where trophy bass is not just a possibility but a common expectation. This lake, a sanctuary for anglers aiming to catch the big one in Texas largemouth bass fishing, is teeming with largemouth bass leading the pack alongside a diverse population of black crappie, channel catfish, sunfish, and white crappie.
Fish Species & Prime Seasons:
Largemouth Bass: Peak seasons in spring, fall, and winter.
Crappie & Catfish: Year-round, with heightened activity in warmer months.
Best Fishing Months: January to March and October to November, favoring mornings and late afternoons.
Fishing at Lake Fork is as much about strategy as it is about patience. Here are some essential tips:
Location Matters: Seek out areas with ample protection, like rocks, docks, boat ramps, and weed beds.
Lure Selection: Small baits and long casts are effective; frog pattern topwaters excel in grass and brush.
Seasonal Tactics: jerk baitTarget pre-spawn bass in the south half of the lake with a jerkbait, focusing on wind-protected pockets with ditches or creeks.
Whether you're after the trophy bass Lake Fork is famous for or the abundant crappie and catfish, remember to adapt your tactics to the seasons. From the thrill of catching a bass weighing between 7 and 10 pounds to the satisfaction of a successful crappie haul, Lake Fork offers a fishing adventure that caters to every angler's dream, including those passionate about crappie fishing in Texas.
Guadalupe River
Diving into the tranquil waters of the Guadalupe River is an adventure in one of America's top 100 trout streams and the southernmost trout stream in the U.S. This river, a gem in Texas's crown, is meticulously managed as a trophy trout fishery, ensuring that each catch is a memorable one. Here's what sets the Guadalupe River apart for those interested in Texas trout fishing and fly fishing.
Key Highlights:
Trophy Trout Fishing: The limit is one trout over 18" per day caught on an artificial lure or fly, and the focus is on quality over quantity.
Year-Round Potential: Thanks to the tail-water system from the Canyon Lake dam, trout have the potential to thrive all year, with the average catch in the 12" to 14" range.
Guided Experiences: Lone Star Fly Fishing, a premier Texas fly fishing guide service, offers guided fly fishing, specializing in navigating the Guadalupe's waters. Their full, 3/4, and half-day floats are perfect for both novice and experienced anglers, making it a go-to for those looking to explore Texas waters.
Fishing Seasons and Species:
Best Time to Visit: Late spring or early summer, with guided trips available for bass in the warmer months.
Diverse Fish Population: The area is home to rainbow trout, brown trout, Guadalupe bass, and more, providing a rich fishing experience.
Remember, the Guadalupe River's banks are privately owned, so respecting property rights while enjoying the public streambed is crucial. Booking your trip in advance is highly recommended, especially during the coveted winter months, to secure your spot in this angler's paradise.
Lake Lewisville
As you venture into the waters of Lake Lewisville, you're greeted by a diverse habitat ripe for fishing, from boat ramp areas to the secluded docks and rocky edges. This lake, known for its largemouth bass weighing up to four and a half pounds, presents a unique challenge and opportunity for anglers looking to test their skills against Texas fish. Here's a quick guide to what works best in these waters:
Effective Baits and Techniques:
Top Picks for Lures:
Shanes Baits Umbrella Rigs and Megabass Vision 110+1 for deep waters.
For shallow areas, Zoom Baby Brush Hog in Blue Fleck and Jackhammer chatterbait with a bluegill pattern excel.
Near docks and rocks, an Underpin with a paddle tail or a Z-Man ChatterBait Jackhammer paired with a Zoom Super Fluke trailer are irresistible to bass.
Strategic Fishing Spots:
Key Areas: Focus on boat ramp areas, docks, and rocky edges where largemouth bass are known to congregate.
Tactics: The fish were particularly attracted to baits mimicking shad and those that produced significant noise, indicating the importance of using lures that both look and sound like natural prey.
Observations and Tactics:
The group's success came from running and gunning, constantly moving to find active fish, especially around bait balls and where fish were seen popping top water. This approach, coupled with picking apart the rocky shores, proved effective in enticing bites.
Lake Lewisville's dynamic fishing environment requires a mix of patience, mobility, and the right choice of bait. Whether you're exploring the vast open waters or the intricate shoreline, the adventure awaits with every cast.
Conclusion
Embarking on a voyage through Texas's vast and verdant waterscapes offers anglers, both novice and seasoned, a tapestry of fishing adventures unparalleled in diversity and thrill. From the mystical cypress embrace of Caddo Lake to the sprawling bounty of Lake Texoma, each destination unfolds a chapter of aquatic bounty, with the prized catch waiting beneath the surface.
The richness of these waters, complemented by the insights on seasonal tips, species, and best practices shared, ensures that every fishing expedition can be tailored to promise not just a catch but an enduring memory. Discover the best fishing spots in Texas and consider Texas fishing charters for an enhanced experience.
As the lure of the water calls, readiness is key to seizing the moment and the catch that legends are made of. Ensure your fishing adventure is complemented with the ideal vessel for your endeavor; find your next fishing boat at Fish and Ski before you head out on the waters.
Whether drawn to the serene solitude of fly fishing in the Guadalupe River or the competitive sport of bass fishing in Lake Fork, Texas's waters beckon with promise and potential. Here, every cast tells a story, every catch a triumph, and the journey on the water, a return to the profound simplicity of man, fish, and the boundless Texas sky.