Best Fishing Lakes in Texas: A Novice Angler’s Handbook

Did you pack an extra pair of socks? Extra bait? Sunscreen? We want you to be prepared for your unforgettable fishing weekend in Texas! Considered a perfect place for fishing, Texas has a strong outdoor culture that fosters a helpful community of anglers.

Texas offers diverse and abundant fish species, exciting fishing events, lake accessibility, and scenic, year-round fishing. We’ve broken down the best fishing opportunities for bass fishing and included some nearby spots as well. Spend less time reading and more time cracking open your tackle box with this helpful guide.

Best Bass Fishing Lakes in North Texas

Bass is the common name for multiple species of freshwater fish found in most lakes and rivers throughout Texas. Many anglers travel from other states to fish for bass in Texas. Here are some of the best bass fishing lakes in North Texas.



Lake Lewisville

Drive Time from Jacksboro: 1hr 19min

Fish Species: Largemouth bass, spotted bass, hybrid striped bass, crappie, and channel catfish.

Named the "Urban Bass Fishing Capital of Texas", Lake Lewisville is an angler’s paradise due to the abundance and variety of fish. The spacious and pristine lake is located 15 minutes north of Dallas and covers nearly 29,000 acres of surface area.

Lake Texoma

Drive Time from Jacksboro: 2hr 8min

Fish Species: Abundant Striped Bass species along with spotted bass, sand bass, largemouth bass, white bass, and common carp.

One of the largest reservoirs in the United States, Lake Texoma is another gem in North Texas. Both Texas and Oklahoma share Lake Texoma with about 80% of the land lying in Oklahoma. The lake is absolutely stunning and has numerous islands, river ledges, and underwater structures.

Lake Fork

Drive Time from Jacksboro: 3hr 14min

Fish Species: Abundant large-mouth bass, crappie, white bass, and channel catfish. 

Make sure you’re photo-ready when you fish at Lake Fork because you’ll be hooking some award-winning bass, worthy of a camera crew. Although it's a bit of a drive from us, Lake Fork is one of the top bass reservoirs in the Nation and a popular lake for novice and serious bass anglers. Check the website for an updated fishing report for Lake Fork.

Nearby Fishing Lakes in North Texas

Trust us, you don’t need to travel far to enjoy fishing in the pristine outdoor paradise of Texas, (we’ve got over 7,000 lakes). There are many tranquil bodies of water located near our scenic campground in Jacksboro. Here’s some of the best ones, listed in order of distance.

Lake Jacksboro

Drive Time from Jacksboro: 10-minute drive from downtown Jacksboro.

Fish Species: Largemouth bass, white crappie, white bass, and channel catfish.

Of course, we have to start with a personal favorite. We might be a bit biased, but we think Lake Jacksboro is a delightful spot to go fishing and enjoy the outdoors. Plus, it's only a 15-minute drive from our RV campground and safari park! You can check out our helpful guide to Lake Jacksboro for more information.

Lake Bridgeport

Drive Time from Jacksboro: 30 minutes

Fish Species: Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, hybrid striped (Palmetto) bass, channel catfish, crappie, and sunfish.

Lake Bridgeport is unique on this list in that it is a freshwater, man-made reservoir. The crystal blue water of Lake Bridgeport contrasts with the reservoir’s dark stone bottom dark, creating a striking sight.

Eagle Mountain Lake

Drive Time from Jacksboro: 1hr 7min

Fish Species: Largemouth bass, spotted Bass, channel catfish, white bass, and white crappie.

Easily one of the most picturesque lakes in North Texas, Eagle Mountain Lake is great for activities like fishing, skiing, wakeboarding, and recreational boating. The spacious lake spans 8,694 acres and there are numerous parks located around the lake for hiking and biking. Take advantage of the numerous hills, bluffs, and mountains that offer great views of the area.

Possum Kingdom Lake

Drive Time from Jacksboro: 1hr 20min

Fish Species: Largemouth bass, striped bass, white bass, white crappie, and blue catfish.

Although you probably won’t spot any possums while you’re there, Possum Kingdom Lake used to be a plentiful spot for hunters. The modern-day lake is a very popular spot year-round providing a panoramic escape for swimming, boating, and fishing. Possum Kingdom Lake is also known for its towering rock landforms that provide terrifying cliff-jumping opportunities and boat party hangouts.

Types of Fishing

Because this is a novice guide, we’ve included some of the basic types of fishing. Try them all and pick your favorite! 

Angling/Rod Reeling: Angling is perhaps the most widely practiced form of recreational fishing and uses a fishing rod, typically with a line and hook, to catch fish.

Fly Fishing: Fly fishing is a distinctive angling method where an artificial "fly" is cast using a fly rod, reel, and specialized weighted line.

Trawling: Trawling is a method used primarily in commercial fishing and involves dragging a net through the water behind a boat, usually at a specific depth or along the ocean floor.

Does Texas require a fishing license/permit?

A fishing license is required of anyone who fishes in the public waters of Texas, however, you do not need a fishing license to fish from the shore in a state park. To be on the safe side, double-check the local fishing ordinances before putting your line in the water.

Stay at Hidden Lake RV & Safari Park

We hope we’ve inspired you to get your wading boots wet and get out there! When you’ve captured your prize-worthy haul, head back to our property in Jacksboro any time of year. When the temperature starts to drop and the leaves change color, visit us for some of the best fall fishing in Texas. 

Hidden Lake RV & Safari Park has spacious RV spots, a beautiful ranch, and up-close animal encounters at our safari park perfect for the kids. Don’t wait to book your Texas vacation and take advantage of the ample fishing opportunities waiting for you! Book your stay today!