Fishing can be a fantastic pastime, and catfish fishing is especially enjoyable. Whether you are an experienced angler or a newbie to this activity, it helps to know some of the best places for catching these tasty fish. Fortunately, there are quite a few excellent lakes in Texas where catfish fishing is particularly rewarding. Here, we’ll introduce 15 of the best catfish fishing lakes in Texas so that you can add them to your must-visit list! So grab your rods and reels and get ready for some fun outdoor adventures at these great locations!
1. Lake Sam Rayburn
Covering 114,000 acres and located in the eastern part of the state, this is one of the largest lakes in Texas. It’s renowned for its excellent fishing opportunities – both freshwater and saltwater varieties! You can find Blue, Channel, and Flathead Catfish here, making it a great spot to target all three species.
2. Toledo Bend Reservoir
Spanning across two states (Texas and Louisiana), this massive reservoir offers up plenty of exciting catfishing action! It’s home to some large blue cats as well as respectable numbers of Channels and Flatheads. The best spots in this lake are on the east side near Pendleton Bridge, as well as the area around Iron Bridge.
Related Articles: Catfish Noodling – A Crazy Fishing Method
3. Choke Canyon Reservoir
Located in South Texas, this lake is a great spot for catfishing. It’s home to healthy numbers of Blue Catfish, which can reach sizes over 40 pounds! The best spots to target them are near the bridge crossings and along the shoreline near private boat ramps.
4. Falcon Lake
This lake straddles both sides of the Mexican border and offers up plenty of catfish action! Blue Cats are especially plentiful here – they can reach astonishing sizes of up to 100 pounds or more! There are also plenty of Channel Cats swimming around too so you should have no problem finding some good catches here.
Related Articles: Damn Good Tips And Tricks For Catfishing In The Raining
5. Lake Texoma
This lake offers anglers a great opportunity to catch large flathead catfish – they are plentiful throughout the waters here! It’s also home to some large Blue Cats as well as healthy numbers of Channel Cats. The best spots for targeting all three species can be found near the river mouth and in the deeper parts of the lake.
6. Amistad Reservoir
Located on the Rio Grande River, this reservoir is another great spot for catfishing in Texas. It’s renowned for its huge population of Blue Catfish which can reach impressive sizes of up to 80 pounds or more! Channel Cats and Flatheads are also common here, so you should have no trouble finding plenty of good catches throughout the lake.
7. Possum Kingdom Lake
This large reservoir spans over 8,000 acres and it’s a great destination for catfish anglers! The best spots to target Blue Cats are near the dam, while Channels and Flatheads can be found in deeper parts of the lake. It’s also home to some excellent Shortnose Gar so you may want to try your luck at targeting them as well!
Related Articles: 10 Hot Tips & Tactics For Catching A Giant Catfish On Red River Of The North
8. Lake Livingston
Covering over 83,000 acres, this is one of the largest lakes in Texas and it boasts some excellent catfishing opportunities! Blue Catfish are especially plentiful here – they can reach monster sizes of up to 40 pounds or more when caught from the deeper parts of the lake. It’s also home to plenty of Channel and Flathead Catfish, so you should have no problem finding plenty of good catches here.
9. Lake O’ The Pines
Located in East Texas, this reservoir is a great destination for catfishing! Blue Cats are plentiful here and they can reach sizes over 20 pounds when caught from the deeper sections of the lake. Flatheads are also common so make sure to target them as well – they can reach impressive sizes of up to 50 pounds or more!
10. Cedar Creek Reservoir
This lake covers 16,000 acres and offers anglers an excellent chance to catch plenty of large catfish. Blue Cats are especially plentiful here – they can reach sizes over 40 pounds when caught from the deeper parts of the lake. Channel and Flathead Catfish are also common so you should have no trouble finding some good catches throughout the reservoir!
Related Articles: Best Fishing Reel For Catching Catfish
11. Lake Conroe
Located just north of Houston, this lake is another great spot for catfishing in Texas. It’s home to plenty of large Blue Cats which can be found near bridge crossings and along rock piles. Channel and Flathead Catfish are also common here so make sure to target them as well – they can reach impressive sizes of up to 50 pounds or more!
12. Richland Chambers Reservoir
This massive reservoir covers over 43,000 acres and it’s a great destination for catfish anglers! Blue Cats are especially plentiful here – they can reach sizes over 40 pounds when caught from the deeper parts of the lake. Channel and Flathead Catfish are also common so you should have no trouble finding some good catches throughout the reservoir!
13. Choke Canyon Reservoir
This small reservoir is located near San Antonio and it offers up plenty of catfishing action! Blue Cats are especially plentiful here – they can reach monstrous sizes of up to 70 pounds or more! Channel and Flathead Catfish are also common so make sure to target them as well – you may even find some Alligator Gar swimming around too!
Related Articles: Best Time Of Day To Catch Catfish (Seasonal Guide)
14. Twin Buttes Reservoir
This small reservoir is located near San Angelo and it offers up some excellent catfishing action! Blue Cats are especially plentiful here – they can reach sizes over 30 pounds when caught from the deeper parts of the lake. Channel and Flathead Catfish are also common so make sure to target them as well – you may even find some Alligator Gar swimming around too!
15. Falcon Reservoir
Located on the Rio Grande River, this reservoir is a great spot for targeting trophy-sized catfish! It’s renowned for its huge population of Blue Catfish which can reach impressive sizes of up to 80 pounds or more! Channel Cats and Flatheads are also common here, so you should have no trouble finding plenty of good.
Best Tip For Catching More Catfish
The best tip for catching more catfish is to know your equipment and the area you are fishing in. Familiarize yourself with the type of bait, tackle, and lures that work best in that particular lake or river. An understanding of how water depth, temperature, and current affect fish behavior will also help you catch more catfish. Lastly, be sure to practice good conservation techniques such as using circle hooks to protect the species’ population. With a little knowledge and patience, you’ll soon become an expert in catfishing!
Related Articles: Do Catfish Bite in the Rain?
Conclusion
With over 15 million acres of lakes and rivers, Texas is one of the best states in the country for catfish fishing. The Lone Star State has a variety of different environments that are perfect for anglers looking to catch a big one. From largemouth bass to channel catfish, there are plenty of options for those looking to fish in Texas. With so many great lakes to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to start. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the 15 best catfish fishing lakes in Texas. So whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you’re sure to find a lake on this list that’s perfect for you.
