Lake Bridgeport
Created in 1932 to prevent further flooding of Fort Worth, Lake Bridgeport attains a maximum depth of 85 feet. In 1972, the lake underwent renovations to its spillway. The surrounding area contains camping sites, a marina and a dam. With 170-miles of shoreline, the lake provides plenty of opportunities for anglers to catch their prey. Composed of excellent bass habitat, Lake Bridgeport produces bass trophies in February and March. According to Texas Park and Wildlife's description of bass fishing in fall, "try crawfish-mimicking baits, spinners and jigs in turbid and shallow water. Roll a spinner bait, bump a crankbait or dabble a Texas rigged worm over one of the submerged gravel humps and you better be holding to something solid." Fishing is the primary activity on or near Lake Bridgeport. The 11,954 acres hosts largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, hybrid striped bass, channel catfish, crappie and sunfish.
Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 1104
Bridgeport, Texas 76246
(940) 683-2076
Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Sam Rayburn lake is the largest lake with 114,500 acres on Texas soil. Located 10 miles from Jasper, the lake descends a maximum of 80 feet. With 750 miles of shoreline, the lake often hosts up to 300 bass fishing tournaments a year. Visitors to the region find excellent fishing, boating and camping. Used by both hikers and horseback riders, only 1.5 of the 26.5 miles of trails at Sam Rayburn Lake and adjacent land are marked. No lifeguards are on duty at the four swimming beaches. For boaters, a dozen boat ramps and four marinas are present for use by the public.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Sam Rayburn Project Office
Route 3 Box 486
Jasper, Texas 75951
(409) 384-5716
http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/samray/
Lake Texoma
The 89,000-acre Lake Texoma stretches between Texas and Oklahoma. In 1940, the Army Corp of Engineers created Lake Texoma. According to laketexoma.com, "The lake area includes two wildlife refuges, two state parks, fifty four U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-managed parks, twenty-six resorts, hundreds of campgrounds and a variety of excellent golf courses." With the fishing in two states, the regulations are simple. A Texoma fishing license allows you to fish anywhere along the lake. A Texas license allows use of only the Texas portion of the lake. Daily limits on all the catfish and bass exist. The lake is unique as it is one of eight reservoirs with a spawning population of striped bass. Other water activities include sailing, watercraft, boating, water skiing and wind surfering. The lake is considered one of the most prominent water-based vacation locations in the southwest with more than 6 million tourists annually.
Corps of Engineers, Lake Texoma
351 Corps Road
Denison, TX 75020
(903) 465-4990 ext. 7814
http://www.swt.usace.army.mil/
Toledo Bend Lake
Toledo Bend Lake is the largest manmade lake in southern states with 185,000 surface acres. It opened in 1963 under both Louisiana and Texas jurisdiction. Activities include swimming, boating, picnicking, fishing, camping, hunting and sightseeing. The fish, black bass, white bass, stripers, Florida bass, crappie, bream and catfish, thrive in the lake, making for great fishing and plenty of chances for a record fish. Birds come and go at the lake, enhancing bird watching with a large variety.
Sabine River Authority of Texas
P.O. Box 579
Orange, TX 77631-0579
(409) 746-2192
http://www.sra.dst.tx.us/
