Where To Fish in Dallas, Texas

Because Dallas is a landlocked city, you might be surprised to learn that it's home to some of the best striped bass fishing in the southwest. Despite being in a desert, Dallas has some of the best fishing in all of Texas.

Before You Go

To fish in this state, you need to purchase a Texas fishing license unless you qualify for one of the following exemptions:

  • Children under the age of 17
  • Texas residents born before January 1, 1931
  • Texas residents 65 or older and born after January 1, 1931
  • For a full list of exemptions, we recommend checking out the Texas Parks & Wildlife full list of fishing license requirements and exemptions.

Lake Fork

Located 70 miles east of downtown Dallas, Lake Fork has some of the best bass fishing in all of Texas. In fact 30 of the top 50 largest largemouth bass caught in Texas were pulled out of Lake Fork. And if that didn't get you excited enough, the top six largest largemouth bass ever caught in Texas were caught there. It's not uncommon to hook a 13-pounder!

Lake Fork sports some of the best bass fishing near Dallas because it was stocked with giant Florida bass back in the 1980s when the reservoir was open to the public. Those Florida bass have thrived and created one of Texas's best bass fisheries. If bass fishing isn't your thing, you can also catch all sorts of crappie, channel catfish, white bass and sunnies.

Most people fish Lake Fork by boat, but you can still have great success fishing off the banks and piers. If you don't own a boat and still want to fish on the water, you can rent a kayak from one of the many local businesses nearby.

Lake Texoma

Located 80 miles north of Dallas, Lake Texoma is the best striped bass (striper) fishery in all of Texas. Lake Texoma is the largest manmade lake in all of the U.S. and is home to the only self-sustaining population of striper in Texas. If awesome striper fishing didn't hook you, Lake Texoma is known for its record-breaking catfish. In fact, an angler caught a 118.5-pound catfish here once. You can also catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, alligator gar, blue and channel catfish, crappie, sunnies and so much more.

Important note: Most of the water in Lake Texoma is actually in Oklahoma, so make sure you have the proper licenses before you set out on your fishing trip. You will also need a Lake Texoma fishing license to gain access to the entire lake. Before going out on the lake, we recommend you double-check with a local bait-and-tackle shop to make sure all of your papers are in line.

Catfish Corner

Located 20 minutes outside of Dallas in the suburb of Mesquite, Texas, Catfish Corner boasts some of the best catfishing in the area. Catfish Corner is a catfish farm that sports some awesome fishing and eating. Anything you catch in the farm, they will clean and fillet for you. You will not only have a good time fishing, you will also get a great meal out of anything you catch.

White Rock Lake

Located 5 miles northeast of downtown Dallas, White Rock Lake has some great largemouth bass fishing. The lake is also well known for its large seasonal crappies; it's not uncommon to catch a 2-pounder.

White Rock Lake is great for fishing by boat, whether you want to break out your canoe, kayak or motorboat. Just make sure your engine isn’t over 9.9 horsepower, as there is a motorboat limit at the lake. Don't have a boat? Don't fear -you can rent a kayak, canoe or rowboat from the White Rock Paddle Company. If fishing on land is more your speed, the shoreline and eight piers are easily accessible. Just don't go in the water, as swimming and wade fishing are banned.

Lake Palestine

Located 100 miles east of Dallas, Lake Palestine is perfect for a fishing weekend. Lake Palestine is well known for its gigantic Texas record-breaking catfish. Anglers have caught flathead catfish weighing nearly 100 pounds and blue catfish weighing over 48 pounds. The lake is also home to a number of sizable channel catfish.

If catfishing isn't your thing, Lake Palestine is home to a large population of hybrid striper and white bass as well as largemouth bass, crappie, buffalo and invasive carp weighing over 20 pounds.

Because Dallas is a landlocked city, you might be surprised to learn that it's home to some of the best striped bass fishing in the southwest. Despite being in a desert, Dallas has some of the best fishing in all of Texas.