Lake Sam Rayburn Fishing Guides

Lake Sam Rayburn is one of the biggest reservoirs in the state with 114,500 acres of surface area. Plentiful freshwater opportunities can be found almost anywhere in this lake and most commonly anglers are seeking largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish. Sunfish and white bass are less common but are always a welcome addition to any fishing trip.

Sam Rayburn is full of structure that holds fish including trees, aquatic vegetation, channels, and flats. Fishing around these structures will be successful for most species in the lake. With relatively clear water and beautiful piney woods surrounding the lake, this is a beautiful and productive place to take a trip.

White bass hunt baitfish near structures in big schools which makes for exciting fishing. White bass schools can be targeted with topwater lures during most parts of the day, and for evening and nights fishing live bait fished near the bottom will be the most effective. There are few things more exciting than seeing a school of white bass hitting the surface then watching them crush your popper. Regarded as excellent table fare the mild white meat works well in most dishes.

Largemouth bass fishing on Lake Sam Rayburn is amazing with plenty of logs, man-made structures, and vegetation to explore in search of a giant. These bass prefer quiet waters where they can hunt from cover. Casting artificial baits into and around any of the common bass habitats will be a great way to target largemouth bass. Lake Sam Rayburn is known for holding huge largemouth with a lake record of 16+ pounds. In this lake, the next cast could hook into a dink or a double-digit tank.

Crappie are a blast despite their name. Fishing with ultra-light tackle can make the fast-paced action even more exciting. Fishing small jigs or minnows in shallow vegetated areas during the spring is the best way to target these fish. Crappie can be caught throughout the year around brush and are widely regarded as one of the best fish to eat. This is a truly special fish and is well worth a trip.

Common for most Texas lakes, catfish are popular and abundant in Lake Sam Rayburn. The Channels and deeper structures are home to channel, blue, and flathead catfish which can all be caught year-round. Stink bait or cut bait tend to be the most popular approach to catching one of these delicious fish bottom feeders. Big catfish are occasionally caught here with the largest catfish caught in the lake being a 74-pound flathead. With a laidback fishing style of cast and wait, fishing for catfish is a great trip for any group.