Fishing on Lake Texoma

The Only Wild, Self-Sustaining Striped Bass Fishery in Texas

TPWD rates Lake Texoma's striped bass fishing excellent, and for good reason: introduced in 1965, Texoma's stripers began naturally reproducing here in 1974, the only documented self-sustaining wild population in Texas. Every other Texas striper fishery relies on annual stocking rather than natural reproduction, making this reservoir a genuine standout for anglers specifically seeking a wild-strain fish.

A World-Record Blue Catfish Was Caught Here

Cody Mullennix of Howe, Texas, caught a 121.5-pound blue catfish here on January 16, 2004, near Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, using 3-pound test line. IGFA certified it as a world record in May 2004, and the fish, nicknamed "Splash," is preserved at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. A near-miss came in March 2024, when angler Lance Booth landed a 92.5-pound blue catfish, about 6 pounds short of the Oklahoma state record, also set at Texoma.

Blue Catfish Numbers Have Grown Substantially

TPWD's electrofishing survey data shows blue catfish catch rates rising from 130.8 per hour in 2017 to 221.4 per hour in 2023, with two fish over 30 inches collected including a 47-incher. A 20-inch blue catfish is roughly 9-10 years old here, while reaching 30 inches takes roughly 18 years, underscoring how long-lived and genuinely substantial this fishery's largest fish can become.

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass Round Out a Varied Fishery

TPWD rates largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing good, with largemouth spring electrofishing catch rates of 44.5 per hour in 2023 and legal-size fish increasing from 18.0 to 28.3 per hour between 2021 and 2023, trending toward larger average fish. Smallmouth bass have declined more recently, from 12.8 per hour in 2021 to 10.5 in 2023. The Texas state record smallmouth bass, at 7.06 pounds, was caught here by Jay Fuller on January 29, 2006.

Crappie Fishing Has Declined Significantly

Anglers specifically targeting crappie should set realistic expectations: TPWD abandoned trap netting for crappie here in 2024 due to inadequate catch, with legal-size crappie falling from 4.2 per net-night in 2012 to just 0.7 in 2020, a genuine decline worth understanding before planning a crappie-focused trip.

TPWD Is Actively Managing the Striper Population

TPWD's 2025 survey found striped bass gill-net catch rates of 23.0 per net-night, signaling recovery, though the proportion of larger fish over 20 inches has been declining as the population skews younger. TPWD requested stocking 120,000 "Lone Star Bass" fingerlings for the Big Mineral arm starting spring 2026 to help manage the fishery going forward.

Reciprocal Fishing Licenses Apply, With One Notable Exception

A valid Texas or Oklahoma fishing license generally works anywhere on Lake Texoma without needing a special interstate license. The one exception: from the Texas bank between Denison Dam and Shawnee Creek, an Oklahoma license is specifically required to wade-fish or fish from a boat, regardless of Texas residency. Oklahoma residents 65 and older are exempt from Texas license requirements on Texoma.

Zebra Mussels Mean Clean, Drain, and Dry Every Trip

Zebra mussels were discovered in Lake Texoma in 2009, and every boat leaving the water must be cleaned, drained, and dried before moving to another lake or river in either Texas or Oklahoma. This is a genuine legal requirement given federal restrictions on transporting the species across state lines, not simply a recommended best practice for boat owners here.

Golden Algae Blooms Have Affected the Fishery Before

TPWD documented a golden alga bloom at Lake Texoma in June 2017 that killed fish, part of a broader pattern affecting more than 30 Texas reservoirs since the phenomenon was first identified in 1985. Anglers should stay aware of current water quality advisories, which TPWD publishes directly when conditions warrant a warning.

Access Points and Local Guides

With 17 marinas across both shores and access through Eisenhower State Park, anglers have genuine choice in where to launch. Local guides familiar with current striper feeding patterns, which shift with water temperature and baitfish movement across this reservoir's roughly 89,000 acres, can meaningfully improve results for visiting anglers unfamiliar with the lake.

A Seasonal Calendar Helps Set Expectations

Spring brings improving striper action as water warms and baitfish move shallow, along with the best smallmouth and largemouth bass activity of the year. Summer favors early-morning and evening striper topwater action to beat the North Texas heat, with catfish remaining reliably active through the hottest stretches. Fall often produces strong striper and catfish action as baitfish schools concentrate, while winter fishing slows but rewards patient anglers targeting deeper water near the dam.

Fishing Tournaments Bring Anglers From Both States

Regional striper-focused tournaments, including recurring events like the Texoma Striper Challenge, draw anglers from both Texas and Oklahoma throughout the year, supporting local bait shops, marinas, and lodging on both shores. This cross-border tournament culture reflects Texoma's genuine reputation as one of the premier inland striper fisheries in the country.

Comparing Texoma's Fishery to Other Texas Lakes

Anglers cross-shopping Texas lakes should understand that Texoma's wild striper population genuinely distinguishes it from Lake Buchanan, Belton Lake, or any other Texas reservoir covered on this site, all of which rely on annual stocking rather than natural reproduction for their striper fisheries. For anglers who specifically prioritize wild-strain fish, Texoma stands alone among Texas options.

Bank Fishing Remains a Genuine Option

While boat access opens the widest range of productive water across this large reservoir, bank anglers can find success around Eisenhower State Park's fishing piers and several public access points, particularly for catfish and during productive spring conditions when fish move into more accessible shallow water near shore.