A guide to the top fishing lakes, public access points, and bait and tackle shops across Collin County, Texas.

Collin County is one of the best-positioned counties in North Texas for freshwater fishing. With Lake Lavon as the county's primary fishery and Lake Ray Hubbard along its southern boundary, anglers in Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Plano, and the surrounding communities have world-class bass and catfish water within a short drive. This guide covers the best fishing spots in Collin County and where to get bait, tackle, and local knowledge.

Primary Fishing Lakes

Lake Lavon

Lake Lavon is Collin County's crown jewel fishery — a 21,400-acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir with excellent populations of largemouth bass, white bass, catfish, crappie, and hybrid striped bass. The lake spans the eastern edge of Collin County and is one of the most productive freshwater fishing lakes in the DFW area.

Why fish Lake Lavon:

• Largemouth bass fishing consistently ranked among the best in North Texas

• Strong white bass runs in late winter and early spring — one of the most exciting seasonal fisheries in the area

• Blue and channel catfish in large numbers, particularly in deeper creek channels

• Crappie fishing excellent around structure and submerged timber

• Multiple USACE boat ramps and public access points around the lake

• East Fork Park, Avalon Park, and Lavon Park provide developed launch and shore fishing access

Lake Ray Hubbard

Lake Ray Hubbard sits along Collin County's southern boundary and is one of the largest urban lakes in the United States at over 22,000 acres. While shared with Dallas, Rockwall, and Kaufman counties, significant shoreline and access exists for Collin County residents.

Why fish Lake Ray Hubbard:

• Largemouth bass with a history of producing trophy-class fish

• Large hybrid striped bass population — popular with trolling anglers

• Excellent catfish fishing along the dam and deeper basin areas

• Public access from multiple Rowlett and Garland shoreline parks

• Year-round fishery with minimal seasonal access restrictions

Bois d'Arc Lake

Bois d'Arc Lake, completed in 2021, is a newer NTMWD reservoir in Fannin County just north of Collin County. It is rapidly developing as a quality bass and crappie fishery and is easily accessible from northern Collin County communities including McKinney and Frisco.

• New lake with developing fish populations and improving fishing quality

• Largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish are the primary target species

• Less fishing pressure than older established lakes — a significant advantage

• Accessible from McKinney via US-380 northeast

Local Ponds, Creeks, and Community Fishing

Collin County's extensive trail and parks system includes numerous community ponds stocked with catfish and bass:

• Frisco, McKinney, Allen, and Plano city parks maintain stocked community fishing ponds

• Rowlett Creek and East Fork Trinity Creek corridors offer wade fishing opportunities

• Several HOA and master-planned community lakes are accessible to residents and provide quality bass fishing

• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department urban fishing program maintains stockings at several Collin County locations

Target Species Guide

• Largemouth bass: The primary sport fish — best in spring on Lake Lavon and Lake Ray Hubbard

• White bass: Spring run up tributaries and near dam structures — March through May peak

• Catfish (blue and channel): Year-round in lakes and creeks — summer nights most productive

• Crappie: Spring spawn around structure and brush piles — excellent at Lake Lavon

• Hybrid striped bass: Open water trolling on Lake Ray Hubbard and Lake Lavon

Bait and Tackle Shops in Collin County

Local bait shops are the best source for current lake conditions, hot baits, and insider fishing knowledge:

• Look for shops along the US-380 corridor east of McKinney for Lavon-focused tackle and live bait

• Shops near the Lake Ray Hubbard marinas on the south county border

• Academy Sports and Outdoors locations in Frisco, McKinney, and Allen carry full fishing departments

• Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's locations accessible from Collin County for specialty and tournament gear

Fishing Licenses and Regulations

• All anglers 17 and older require a valid Texas fishing license

• Freshwater fishing license: Available online at tpwd.texas.gov, at Academy, Walmart, and local bait shops

• Lake Lavon is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — no additional permit required beyond the state license

• Check TPWD for current slot and size limits — largemouth bass regulations on Lavon have changed in recent years

• Trotlines, jug lines, and limblines are legal on Lake Lavon with proper licensing

Seasonal Fishing Calendar

Spring (March–May): The best overall season. White bass runs, largemouth bass spawn, and crappie on beds make this the most productive period.

Summer (June–August): Fish early morning and late evening. Catfish night fishing peaks. Bass go deep in midday heat.

Fall (September–November): Bass feed aggressively before winter. Crappie move to shallower water. Excellent topwater and shad-pattern fishing.

Winter (December–February): Slower overall but blue catfish are active. Largemouth bass fishing can be excellent on warm-water days.

Additional Resources

Helpful Links

• Texas Parks and Wildlife — Fishing Licenses (tpwd.texas.gov)

• Lake Lavon — USACE Southwestern Division (swf.usace.army.mil)

• TPWD Inland Fisheries — Lake Lavon Fish Report

• North Texas Bass Fishing Report — BassFishin.com

• Collin County Parks and Open Space

For more outdoor recreation and fishing coverage across Collin County, visit NorthTexasWeekly.com — your local guide to the best of North Texas.