Fishing Wright Patman Lake

AKA: Wright Patman Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Wright Patman Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
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Wright Patman Lake, TX

Popular Fish Species Wright Patman Lake, TX

Wright Patman Lake Popular Fish - Crappie

Crappie Fishing

With a history of good crappie fishing, Wright Patman Lake continues to impress crappie enthusiasts this year. Light line and small hooks are key when fishing live bait. Crappie jigs are also productive her in a wide variety of colors. The lake has healthy populations of both white crappie and black crappie. These two species typically tend to school separately. However, once located around cover, you may find that you catch both species, due to the fact they often share the same cover. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk.

Wright Patman Lake Popular Fish - White Bass

White Bass Fishing

Fat and healthy white bass are flourishing in Wright Patman Lake and anglers should expect some great fishing this year, thanks to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. White bass are aggressive, hard-fighting and just plain fun to catch. When fishing for white bass, the average fish is typically in the one- to two-pound range. These schooling fish tend to roam around the lake looking for ideal water conditions and baitfish. Look for them to generally be in 15 to 35 feet of water, whether they are hovering around the bottom or swimming in open water. Fish finders are the best way to locate big schools of white bass. Fish near the bottom at night with live bait. In spring, once the water temperature rises into the mid sixties, they move shallow into the backs of coves and creek channels to spawn. When white bass chase schools of bait near the surface, spinners, spoons and small crank baits work well. At this time anglers can fish from shore and often do quite well. Use lures that imitate baitfish, including small crankbaits, small jerkbaits, jigs and spoons.

Wright Patman Lake Popular Fish - Blue Catfish

Blue Catfish Fishing

This year blue catfish are running in the big to monster size in Wright Patman Lake. Most of the local guides offer catfish trips, and big blues are the favorite target. The state record is over 35 pounds. Fishing for blue catfish is most often productive during spring through summer around any kind of structure. Blue catfish are primarily found in large rivers, along the main channels, in and around tributaries flowing into impoundments of major river systems. They tend to move upstream in the summer in search of cooler temperatures, and downstream in the winter in order to find warmer water.The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with cut bait or other popular catfish baits. Channel catfish are also available here for anglers to pursue.

Wright Patman Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, longear sunfish, redear sunfish and white bass at Wright Patman Reservoir in East Texas.

170 miles of shoreline await anglers at Wright Patman Lake, a 19,000-acre lake in the northeast corner of Texas. Expect to find bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish and white bass. Much of the shoreline is difficult to reach for fishing from the bank, however there local parks and campgrounds for access. The basin of the lake bed has radical depth changes which create structure for fish and baitfish. This natural structure, including humps, islands, creek and river channels, ledges and points, along with standing timber and aquatic vegetation provide cover for all fish species in the lake. Spring, early summer and fall are the best times to catch these fish in shallow water. In winter and the heat of summer they tend to move deeper.

Primary fish species residing in Wright Patman Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Wright Patman Lake Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NEARBY
Restaurant: NEARBY

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Atlanta State Park Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off State Park Road 42, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Berry Farm Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Road 1202, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Big Creek Landing Boat Ramp
Located in the northwest corner of the lake, south side of the Bay, off Road 1209, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Clear Springs Landing Boat Ramp
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, off Clear Springs Park Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Elliot Bluff Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, at the north end of the Wright Patman Dam, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Intake Hill Landing
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, off Intake Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Kelly Creek Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Road 1208, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Knight's Bluff Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off State Park Road 42, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Mauldin Lake Boat Ramp
Located in the northwest corner of the lake, off Park Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Mill Creek Landing
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, off Road 3555, this is a multi-lane, gravel ramp with gravel parking.

North Shore Landing
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, off Corps Road 12, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Overcup Landing
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, off Road 2459, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Piney Point Park Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Piney Point Park Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Also find boat docks in Central Texas and West Texas.