Top 10 Bass Fishing Lakes in North Texas

Cedar Creek Reservoir, located about an hour southeast of Dallas, is a premier destination for bass anglers in North Texas. This 32,623-acre lake is known for its healthy population of largemouth bass, with many fish in the 5-10 pound range. The reservoir features a diverse habitat including submerged timber, hydrilla beds, and numerous coves and creek channels that provide excellent structure for bass. Spring and fall are particularly productive seasons, but year-round fishing opportunities exist. The lake also hosts numerous tournaments, attracting competitive anglers from across the region. With its proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and consistent bass production, Cedar Creek Reservoir is a must-visit for serious bass fishermen in North Texas.

Grapevine Lake, situated northwest of Dallas-Fort Worth, is a popular 7,280-acre reservoir known for its excellent bass fishing opportunities. Constructed in 1952, this U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake boasts a thriving population of largemouth bass, as well as spotted and white bass. The lake's diverse structure, including rocky shorelines, submerged timber, and numerous boat docks, provides ideal habitats for bass throughout the year. Grapevine is particularly noted for its trophy largemouth potential, with fish over 13 pounds recorded. The lake's proximity to the metroplex makes it a convenient destination for urban anglers, while its size allows for both recreational and tournament fishing. With consistent stockings and management practices, Grapevine Lake continues to be a top choice for bass enthusiasts in North Texas, offering year-round fishing with peak seasons in spring and fall.

Lavon Lake, located about 30 miles northeast of Dallas, is a 21,400-acre reservoir that has become a significant destination for bass anglers in North Texas. Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this lake is known for its diverse fish population, with largemouth bass being a primary target for many anglers. The lake's numerous coves, creek channels, and submerged timber provide excellent cover for bass, particularly in the northern portions of the reservoir. Lavon is also noted for its hybrid striped bass fishery, offering anglers a chance at multi-species action. While not typically known for trophy-sized largemouth, the lake's consistent productivity and healthy fish population make it a reliable spot for catching good numbers of bass in the 2-4 pound range. The lake's proximity to the Dallas metroplex, combined with its size and multiple access points, makes it a popular choice for both casual and tournament anglers throughout the year.

Lake Lewisville, often referred to as the "Urban Bass Fishing Capital of Texas," is a 29,592-acre reservoir located just 20 miles north of Dallas. This expansive lake is renowned for its excellent bass fishing opportunities, particularly for largemouth bass. The lake's diverse underwater terrain, including submerged timber, rocky points, and numerous bridges and marina structures, provides ideal habitats for bass throughout the year. Lewisville is known for producing trophy-sized largemouth, with fish over 10 pounds not uncommon. The lake also supports healthy populations of white bass and hybrid striped bass, offering anglers diverse fishing experiences. Its proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex makes it highly accessible, and it hosts numerous fishing tournaments annually. With consistent stockings and management by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Lake Lewisville remains a premier destination for bass anglers in North Texas, offering quality fishing opportunities in all seasons, with spring and fall being particularly productive.

O.H. Ivie Reservoir, while not technically in North Texas, is a notable mention for serious bass anglers in the region. Located about 200 miles southwest of Dallas, this 19,149-acre lake has gained significant attention in recent years for its exceptional trophy bass fishing. Managed by the Colorado River Municipal Water District, O.H. Ivie has become renowned for producing multiple ShareLunker bass (13+ pounds) since 2020, including several fish over 16 pounds. The reservoir's habitat includes flooded timber, rocky shorelines, and submerged brush piles, providing ideal conditions for big bass. While it requires a longer drive for North Texas anglers, many consider it worth the trip for the chance at a true trophy largemouth. The lake also offers good populations of white bass and crappie. O.H. Ivie's recent surge in popularity has made it a bucket-list destination for bass enthusiasts across Texas and beyond, particularly during the prime spring spawning season.

Lake Palestine, located about 100 miles southeast of Dallas, is a 25,560-acre reservoir that offers excellent bass fishing opportunities for anglers in North Texas. Created in 1962 by damming the Neches River, this lake is known for its diverse fish population, with largemouth bass being a primary draw. The lake's structure includes numerous coves, submerged timber, and expansive hydrilla beds, providing ideal habitats for bass throughout the year. Lake Palestine is particularly noted for its consistency in producing good numbers of bass in the 2-5 pound range, with occasional trophy fish exceeding 10 pounds. The lake's productivity is enhanced by regular stockings and management efforts by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Spring and fall are typically the most productive seasons, but year-round fishing opportunities exist. With its size and multiple access points, Lake Palestine accommodates both recreational anglers and tournament fishermen, making it a popular destination for bass enthusiasts from the Dallas-Fort Worth area and beyond.

Possum Kingdom Lake, often referred to as "PK" by locals, is a 17,000-acre reservoir located about 90 miles west of Fort Worth. Known for its clear, blue waters and scenic limestone cliffs, this lake offers excellent bass fishing opportunities in a picturesque setting. Possum Kingdom is home to both largemouth and smallmouth bass, with the latter being particularly noteworthy as it's one of the few lakes in North Texas with a significant smallmouth population. The lake's rocky structure, including submerged boulders and steep drop-offs, provides ideal habitat for both species. Largemouth bass in the 2-5 pound range are common, with occasional trophy fish exceeding 10 pounds. The lake's clear water can make for challenging but rewarding fishing, often requiring finesse techniques. PK also hosts numerous fishing tournaments throughout the year. While slightly farther from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex than some other lakes, many anglers find the unique fishing experience and beautiful surroundings well worth the drive. Spring and fall typically offer the best bass fishing, but the lake provides year-round opportunities for dedicated anglers.

Ray Roberts Lake, located about 10 miles north of Denton, is a 29,350-acre reservoir that has become a premier destination for bass anglers in North Texas. Completed in 1987, this relatively young lake is known for its excellent largemouth bass population and has consistently produced trophy-sized fish. The lake's diverse habitat includes standing timber, submerged brush piles, rocky points, and expansive flats with aquatic vegetation, providing ideal conditions for bass throughout the year. Ray Roberts is particularly noted for its potential to produce lunker bass, with several fish over 13 pounds recorded in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's ShareLunker program. The lake's clear water and significant depth variations offer opportunities for various fishing techniques, from shallow water tactics to deep water structure fishing. Its proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex makes it easily accessible for urban anglers, while its size allows for both recreational and tournament fishing. With consistent management and stockings, Ray Roberts Lake continues to be a top choice for serious bass anglers in North Texas, offering quality fishing experiences in all seasons, with spring and fall being particularly productive.

Lake Tawakoni, often called the "Catfish Capital of Texas," is also a notable destination for bass anglers in North Texas. Located about 50 miles east of Dallas, this 36,700-acre reservoir offers diverse fishing opportunities, with largemouth bass being a primary draw for many anglers. Created in 1960, Tawakoni is known for its abundant cover, including submerged timber, hydrilla beds, and numerous boat docks, providing excellent habitat for bass throughout the year. The lake consistently produces good numbers of largemouth bass in the 2-5 pound range, with the potential for trophy fish exceeding 10 pounds. Tawakoni's fertility and abundant forage base contribute to healthy bass growth rates. The lake is particularly noted for its spring fishing when bass move into shallow areas to spawn. Additionally, Tawakoni hosts numerous bass tournaments throughout the year, attracting competitive anglers from across the region. While it may not have the high-profile reputation of some other North Texas lakes, Tawakoni's consistent productivity and sizeable acreage make it a favorite among many local anglers, offering quality bass fishing opportunities year-round.

Lake Texoma, straddling the Texas-Oklahoma border about 75 miles north of Dallas, is a massive 89,000-acre reservoir renowned for its diverse fishery, including excellent opportunities for bass anglers. While famous for its striper fishing, Texoma also boasts impressive populations of largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass. The lake's vast size and varied structure, including rocky shorelines, numerous coves, submerged humps, and standing timber, provide ideal habitats for multiple bass species. Largemouth bass fishing is consistently good, with fish in the 2-5 pound range common and the potential for trophy catches exceeding 10 pounds. Texoma is particularly noted for its smallmouth bass fishery, offering some of the best smallmouth action in North Texas. The lake's clear waters in many areas make for exciting sight fishing opportunities, especially during the spring spawn. Year-round fishing is available, with spring and fall typically being the most productive seasons. Texoma's size accommodates both recreational and tournament anglers, hosting numerous bass tournaments throughout the year. Its unique position as a border lake also allows anglers to fish with either Texas or Oklahoma licenses, adding to its appeal as a destination for bass enthusiasts across the region.