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

Denton County is one of North Texas's premier freshwater fishing destinations. Lake Lewisville and Lake Ray Roberts — two major reservoirs within the county — offer thousands of acres of productive water for bass, catfish, crappie, and striped bass. Whether you're fishing from the bank, a kayak, or a fully rigged bass boat, this guide to the best fishing spots in Denton County covers where to go and how to get there.

Primary Fishing Lakes

Lake Lewisville

Lake Lewisville is the flagship fishery of Denton County — a 29,000-acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir with excellent populations of largemouth bass, striped bass, white bass, catfish, and crappie. One of the largest urban lakes in Texas, it sits at the heart of the county's recreational landscape.

Why fish Lake Lewisville:

• Largemouth bass fishing consistently strong — lake record exceeds 13 pounds

• Striped bass: One of the top striper lakes in North Texas — trolling and live bait fishing are both effective

• White bass spring run in late February through April is one of the most exciting seasonal fisheries in Denton County

• Blue and channel catfish in excellent numbers throughout the lake

• Multiple USACE boat ramps and public fishing piers around the lake

• Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) provides shoreline access and nature trail fishing

Lake Ray Roberts

Lake Ray Roberts is a 29,350-acre USACE reservoir in the northern part of Denton County, near the city of Sanger. Less developed and less pressured than Lake Lewisville, it offers exceptional quality fishing in a more natural setting.

Why fish Lake Ray Roberts:

• Largemouth bass: Consistently rated among the top bass lakes in North Texas

• Crappie fishing excellent — structure and brush pile fishing in spring and fall

• Catfish in large numbers throughout the lake

• Lake Ray Roberts State Park provides developed camping, bank fishing, and boat launch access

• Lower fishing pressure than Lewisville — particularly advantageous on weekends

• Johnson Branch and Isle du Bois units of the state park offer different access points

Lake Dallas and Hickory Creek Reservoir

Lake Dallas and the adjacent Hickory Creek Reservoir form a smaller lake complex near the cities of Lake Dallas and Corinth. These lakes are best suited for bank fishing and smaller boat angling in a suburban setting.

• Accessible bank fishing for local residents in central Denton County

• Catfish and bass in modest but fishable numbers

• Good beginner and family fishing destination with easy access

Community Ponds and Urban Fishing

Denton County's extensive parks system includes community fishing ponds accessible to residents:

• City parks in Denton, Lewisville, Flower Mound, and Highland Village maintain stocked community ponds

• Texas Parks and Wildlife urban fishing program stocks several Denton County locations seasonally

• Elm Fork Trinity River provides wade fishing opportunities through Lewisville and Carrollton

Target Species Guide

• Largemouth bass: Primary sport fish — best in spring on both Lewisville and Ray Roberts

• Striped bass: Lake Lewisville specialty — trolling with live shad or swimbaits is most effective

• White bass: Spring run March through April — one of the most exciting fisheries in the county

• Catfish (blue and channel): Year-round, best on summer nights with cut bait or stink bait

• Crappie: Spring spawn in March–April around structure and submerged timber

Bait and Tackle Shops

• Shops along I-35E near Lewisville serve the Lake Lewisville market with live bait and local fishing reports

• Bait shops along FM 455 and near Sanger serve the Lake Ray Roberts fishing community

• Academy Sports and Outdoors in Denton, Lewisville, and Flower Mound for full fishing departments

• Walmart Supercenter locations throughout the county for basic bait, tackle, and fishing licenses

Fishing Licenses and Regulations

• Texas fishing license required for all anglers 17 and older

• Available at tpwd.texas.gov, Academy Sports, Walmart, and most bait shops

• Lake Lewisville and Lake Ray Roberts are USACE lakes — no additional permit beyond the state license

• Striped bass on Lake Lewisville has specific size and bag limits — check TPWD current regulations

• Lake Ray Roberts State Park entry fee required for shore access from the state park units

Seasonal Fishing Calendar

Spring (March–May): The best overall season. White bass runs, largemouth spawn, and crappie on beds all peak. Lake Ray Roberts fishing is especially productive in spring.

Summer (June–August): Fish early morning and late evening. Night catfishing is excellent. Striped bass move to deeper, cooler water.

Fall (September–November): Bass feed aggressively. Crappie move shallower. Topwater and shad-pattern lures are most effective.

Winter (December–February): Slower overall but blue catfish remain active. Striped bass stack in deeper water and can be targeted with jigging.

Additional Resources

Helpful Links

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

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

• Lake Ray Roberts State Park (tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lake-ray-roberts)

• TPWD Lake Survey Reports — Denton County (tpwd.texas.gov)

• Denton County Parks and Open Space (dentoncounty.gov)

• BassFishin.com — North Texas Lake Reports

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