Best fishing lakes in Texas: 12 lakes and what bites

The lakes at a glance

1. Toledo Bend Reservoir

At some 186,000 acres, Toledo Bend Reservoir is a huge piece of water. The fish here are largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. It goes down to about 110 ft. Its bed shows two point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look.

Toledo Bend Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Sam Rayburn Reservoir

At 114,000 acres, Sam Rayburn Reservoir is a huge piece of water. It holds largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and white bass. The deepest water is around 80 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three steep ledges and a wind-blown bank: good places to start.

Sam Rayburn Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Lake Amistad

Lake Amistad spreads over 64,900 acres. The fish here are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass and catfish. The deepest water is around 217 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Lake Amistad today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Falcon Lake

Falcon Lake spreads over 83,700 acres of water. The fish here are largemouth bass, catfish, white bass and crappie. It goes down to about 110 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove: good places to start.

Falcon Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Lake Livingston

At 83,000 acres, Lake Livingston is a huge piece of water. Expect white bass, catfish, crappie and striped bass. It goes down to about 90 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank to work.

Lake Livingston today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Lake Fork

At some 27,300 acres, Lake Fork is a big lake. Largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill are the draw. At about 70 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer.

Lake Fork today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Lake Travis

Lake Travis spreads over 18,900 acres of water. Largemouth bass, white bass, catfish and crappie are the draw. The deepest water is around 210 ft.

Lake Travis today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Lewisville Lake

Lewisville Lake covers some 29,600 acres. It holds white bass, largemouth bass, catfish and crappie. The deepest water is around 67 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three steep ledges and an upper arm: good places to start.

Lewisville Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Caddo Lake

Caddo Lake spreads over some 25,400 acres. It holds largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. The deepest water is around 20 ft. The lake bed gives you three steep ledges and an upper arm to work.

Caddo Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Lake Conroe

Lake Conroe spreads over 21,000 acres. It holds largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and white bass. It goes down to about 79 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look.

Lake Conroe today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

11. Lake Meredith

At some 16,400 acres, Lake Meredith is a big lake. It lies about 27 miles south of Amarillo. It is the Canadian River behind Sanford Dam. Walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and white bass are the draw. At about 127 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Lake Meredith was formed by Sanford Dam on the Canadian River and is the centerpiece of Lake Meredith National Recreation Area in the Texas Panhandle.

Lake Meredith today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

12. Choke Canyon Reservoir

At some 25,700 acres, Choke Canyon Reservoir is a big lake. The lake is about 3.9 miles east of Three Rivers. Choke Canyon Dam holds it on the Frio River. The fish here are largemouth bass, white bass, catfish and crappie. At about 96 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer.

Choke Canyon Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Texas lakes by fish

A lake appears under a fish when it holds it, by the record or by the type of lake.

• Bass: Toledo Bend Reservoir, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Lake Amistad and Falcon Lake
• Walleye: Lake Meredith
• Crappie: Toledo Bend Reservoir, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Falcon Lake and Lake Livingston
• Catfish: Toledo Bend Reservoir, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Lake Amistad and Falcon Lake

Season by season

• Spring: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Summer: walleye are usually fair. Warm surface. They go deep in the day; try evenings.
• Fall: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Winter: walleye are usually at their best. Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.

Before you go

Buy a Texas fishing licence before the trip and read the state's rules for each lake: seasons, size and bag limits change from water to water. Each lake page on LakeScope shows today's water temperature, the wind, the best bite times and a 3-D view of the bed, so check it the morning you go.