Some of the most attractive fishing destinations in North Texas are located in the Dallas-Forth Worth metroplex.
The metropolitan area encompasses dozens of parks with ponds, reservoirs, and lakes rich with bass, catfish, and various other freshwater fish species, so you don’t necessarily have to leave the Dallas city limits to reel in a trophy-sized catch.
What’s more, Lake Ray Roberts and Lake Fork are excellent spots for one-day fishing trips, as both locations are within a hundred miles from the Dallas downtown area.
Top Fishing Spots in Dallas at a Glance
Here are some of the best fishing spots in Dallas:
- Best for bass: Lake Ray Roberts
- Best for easy water access: Lake Cliff Park
- Best for boat fishing: Lake Fork
- Best for pier fishing: Lewisville Lake
Best Fishing Spots in Dallas in Detail
Bachman Lake
Recreational anglers will enjoy a day at the Bachman Lake in Northwest Dallas. The lake is easily accessible and offers many amenities, including picnic tables, public toilets, and boat rentals.
Consequently, you can pick a spot on the lake’s shore or try catching a catfish or a bass from a boat. The strict daily bag and fish size limits apply to all fish species in the lake, so you can only keep up to five bass, provided each fish is longer than 14 inches.
Type of fishing: Freshwater fishing, boat fishing
Expect to find: Channel Catfish and Largemouth bass
Rules and safety guidelines: It’s advisable to check the fishing rules before going to Bachman Lake because they change throughout the year.
Lake Ray Roberts
Named after the Texan congressmen who spearheaded its creation, Lake Ray Roberts is a water reservoir that spans over 29,350 acres.
The lake is within Ray Roberts State Park and comprises nine units containing fishing piers, marinas, boat ramps, and fish cleaning stations.
The best part is that you don’t need a fishing license to fish from the shore or a pier in Ray Roberts State Park, and you can buy a fishing license on the spot if you decide to angle from a boat.
Type of fishing: Pier fishing, boat fishing
Expect to find: Sunfish, Crappie, Blue Catfish, and Largemouth Bass
Rules and safety guidelines: Statewide harvest regulations and possession limits apply for all freshwater species caught at this location.
Lewisville Lake
Wynwood Park, Stewart’s Peninsula, and Willow Grove Park are only a handful of the countless scenic fishing spots at Lewisville Lake. This artificial reservoir is less than forty miles from Dallas, and you can reach it in under an hour.
There are several camping grounds around the lake, which makes it a perfect place for anglers who want to spend time away from the city. In addition, you can bring your boat or charter a boat if you want to explore the 29,592-acre lake.
Type of fishing: Pier fishing, kayak fishing
Expect to find: White Crappie, Channel Catfish, and White Bass
Rules and safety guidelines: Special rules apply for some fish species in Lewisville Lake
White Rock Lake
A popular recreational spot among Dallasites, White Rock Lake and the surrounding park is home to cultural events, rowing programs, and countless other activities.
The lake has several fishing piers and a boat house, which makes it an attractive option for anglers who enjoy fishing in an urban setting.
In addition, you can explore the lake on a kayak or canoe but don’t forget that angling at this location without a fishing license is prohibited. It’s also worth adding that the lake’s fish population is limited to Bass, Crappie, and Catfish.
Type of fishing: Kayak fishing, pier fishing
Expect to find: Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and Catfish
Rules and safety guidelines: Using more than 9.9 HP boat motors is prohibited.
Lake Fork
Some of the largest basses ever caught in North Texas were fished from Lake Fork. This fantastic fishing spot is approximately 90 miles east of Dallas, making it an excellent one-day fishing trip destination.
The lake has several fishing piers, so you don’t have to look for a perfect spot. Moreover, you can charter a boat and try casting a line away from the shore, but you must pay attention to submerged timber as it can easily damage your vessel.
Type of fishing: Pier fishing, boat fishing
Expect to find: Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, and Catfish
Rules and safety guidelines: Anglers must familiarize themselves with the lake’s harvest regulations before wetting a line.
Lake Cliff Park
Situated in the heart of the historic Lake Cliff district, the Lake Cliff Park provides a refuge from the bustling city. The park features a hiking trail, baseball court, outdoor restrooms, and a small lake.
Anglers can enjoy the view of downtown Dallas while fishing for Bass or Catfish. The park attracts thousands of visitors daily, so finding a good spot and avoiding the noise can be challenging.
Even so, Lake Cliff Park can be a great fishing spot if you don’t have time to visit some of the more popular fisheries in the area.
Type of fishing: Shore fishing
Expect to find: Sunfish, Bass, and Catfish
Rules and safety guidelines: You must follow the state fishing regulations when angling at this location.
Lake Arlington
Located less than thirty miles west of downtown Dallas, Lake Arlington is one of the best fishing destinations in North Texas. The fishing season is open throughout the year, but the best time to visit depends on the fish species you’d like to target.
The lake has a fishing pier and three boat ramps, but renting a kayak or a boat is the best option if you want to angle offshore because you cannot operate a boat or any other vessel on Lake Arlington without a permit.
Type of fishing: Pier fishing, boat fishing
Expect to find: Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, and Crappie
Rules and safety guidelines: Fishing from a bridge crossing Lake Arlington is prohibited.
Lake Ray Hubbard
Aside from being one of the largest lakes in North Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard is also a productive fishery with vast populations of Hybrid Striped Bass and Catfish.
The best way to access the lake is from one of the parks on its shores if you want to fish from a pier. The lake also offers plenty of boat fishing opportunities, with several marinas and ramps.
Fishing at Lake Ray Hubbard is allowed throughout the year, but spring or autumn is the best time to visit.
Type of fishing: Boat fishing, pier fishing
Expect to find: Hybrid Striped Bass, Catfish, and Crappie
Rules and safety guidelines: Underwater stumps can damage a boat.
Lavon Lake
Lavon Dam Fishing Pier, Mallard Park, and Little Ridge Park are some of the best fishing spots at Lavon Lake.
Anglers exploring the lake’s 121-mile shoreline can stay at the campground in Lavonia, Clear Lake, Collin, East Fork, or Lakeland parks.
Moreover, boat rentals are available at the Collin Park marina to explore the lake with knowledgeable fishing guides who provide all the equipment you’ll need for a memorable angling experience.
Type of fishing: Pier fishing, boat fishing
Expect to find: Crappie, Bass, and Catfish
Rules and safety guidelines: Daily bag limits depend on fish species.
Joe Pool Lake
The fastest way to reach Joe Pool Lake from Dallas is through Cedar Hill State Park, as it’s only a short ride away from the city’s downtown area.
The park has a campground, a perfect starting point for exploring the 7,740-acre lake. The park’s marina is closed, and you must go to Lynn Creek Park on the other side of the lake to rent a boat.
Type of fishing: Pier fishing, kayak fishing, boat fishing
Expect to find: Largemouth Bass, Catfish, and White Crappie
Rules and safety guidelines: Joe Pool Lake is crowded during the summer.
Key Things to Consider When Choosing a Fishing Spot in Dallas
Deciding where to wet a line in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area is trickier than it seems because there are so many amazing spots to choose from.
So, arguably, the most crucial factor you must consider when picking a fishing spot in Dallas is the duration of your stay since you’ll need an entire day to visit some of the best angling destinations in the area.
Let’s go through a few things that can make choosing a fishing spot in Dallas easier.
- Check for the latest updates about the fishing spot online – Neighborhood Fishin’ and Community Fishing Lakes sites provide stocking, bank access, and other information about some of the best fishing spots in the Metroplex.
- Urban fishing spots in Dallas are often crowded – Consider visiting Dallas in Spring or Fall instead of Summer to avoid crowds.
- State parks in Texas charge entrance fees – You may have to purchase a daily ticket if you decide to fish at a state park near Dallas.
Rules for Fishing in Dallas
Fishing without a license is prohibited in Texas, but you don’t need a permit to angle from the shore or a fishing pier in a state park.
Some popular fishing destinations in the Metroplex area have catch-and-release policies, so whether you can keep your catch depends on the location. However, the statewide harvest regulations are in effect at most fishing spots in and around Dallas.
The daily bag limit for Largemouth, Striped, and Hybrid Bass is five fish in any combination. On the other hand, the limit for White Bass is 25 fish per day. The same limit applies to Channel Catfish, but only ten fish can be longer than twenty inches.
You can use multiple rods if you don’t have over a hundred hooks combined in the water at any moment. Please visit the Texas Parks & Wildlife website for more information about legal fishing methods.
Fishing Licenses in Texas
A fishing license is required for angling in the public waters of Texas. However, children under 17 don’t need a permit to fish in Dallas. The same goes for Texas residents older than 65 and Oklahoma residents of the same age.
Louisiana residents with a valid Louisiana Recreational Fishing license don’t have to obtain a fishing license in Texas.
You can purchase the Freshwater package online at the Texas Parks & Wildlife website or use the site’s search option to find a retailer in Dallas that sells fishing licenses.
Freshwater Package
- Resident Freshwater Package – $30
- Senior Freshwater Package (Aged 65 or older) – $12
- Nonresident Freshwater Package – $58
All Water Licenses
- One-day All Water License (for residents) – $11
- One-day All Water License (for nonresidents) – $16
How Salted Angler Selected the Best Fishing Spots in Dallas
As experienced anglers, we appreciate the value of a good fishing spot. That’s why we went through a lengthy selection process while choosing the best fishing locations in Dallas.
Here’s a quick overview of the most important criteria we utilized to pick the fishing spots in Dallas featured in this article:
- Water access – We only considered locations that offer easy water access so that you can quickly find a spot.
- The list of amenities at the fishing location – Each location offers a long list of amenities like public restrooms, hiking trails, or picnic tables.
- Lake’s stocking history – This criterion has helped us identify fishing locations with abundant fish populations.
General FAQs
What is the Best Place for River Fishing in Dallas?
Trinity River and its tributaries offer plenty of excellent fishing spots, and they can be a great option for anglers targeting White Bass.
Can I Eat the Fish I Catch in Dallas?
Eating the fish harvested from most lakes in the Dallas area is safe. However, consuming carp harvested from Lake Como, Echo Lake, and Mountain Creek Lake isn’t advisable.
Is Camping Allowed at All Fishing Spots in or Near Dallas?
Camping is allowed at some fishing spots in and around Dallas.
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