Pat Mayse Lake

Quick Links: Fishing Regulations | Angling Opportunities | Cover & Structure | Tips & Tactics

Public Access Facilities

Lake Characteristics

Location: In Lamar County 12 miles north of Paris on Sanders Creek, a tributary of the Red River
Surface area: 5,940 acres
Maximum depth: 55 feet
Impounded: 1967

Water Conditions

Current Lake Level
Conservation Pool Elevation: 451 ft. msl
Fluctuation: Moderate, 2-4 ft.
Normal Clarity: Moderately stained

Reservoir Controlling Authority

US Army Corps of Engineers
Pat Mayse Lake
PO Box 129
Powderly, Texas 75473-012
(903) 732-3020

Aquatic Vegetation

Abundant vegetation in the form of giant bulrush, cutgrass, and American lotus can be found along the shore of the reservoir. Small amounts of coontail and hydrilla are present.

Predominant Fish Species

Lake Records
Stocking History
Latest Survey Report

Lake Maps

Small lake maps are available free of charge from the Corps of Engineers. Topographic maps may be available from online sources.

Fishing Regulations

All species are currently managed under statewide regulations.

Angling Opportunities

Largemouth bass are popular in this reservoir. Spotted bass provide additional action, but they don't get very big. White bass provide an additional fishery, especially in the open water areas. Crappie fishing is generally good, especially in the lake's abundant standing timber. Channel and flathead catfish are present, but channel catfish dominate and provide excellent sport fishing.

Species	Poor	Fair	Good	Excellent
Largemouth Bass
Spotted Bass
Catfish
Crappie
White Bass

Fishing Cover/Structure

The upper third of Pat Mayse Lake, upstream from Lamar Point, is heavily timbered with numerous coves and cuts which provide excellent habitat for largemouth bass, crappie and catfish. Many of these coves also have margins of submerged and emergent vegetation. Rip rap on the dam provides opportunities for all species throughout the year.

Tips & Tactics

Peak fishing for largemouth bass occurs during spring, mid-February through April, when anglers concentrate on fishing the shoreline in search of spawning fish. Popular baits include plastic worms and lizards, spinnerbaits, jigs and jerk baits. Schools of largemouth bass are targeted from late summer into fall using crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwaters. Spotted bass (Kentucky spots), a small relative of the largemouth bass, are often caught by anglers fishing for largemouth bass in the lower lake especially during winter months.

During the spawning season, crappie are caught in shallow water around submerged trees and brush. Popular baits include live minnows and crappie jigs. Channel catfish can be caught by drift fishing or bank fishing. During their spawning season, late spring to early summer, catfish tend to concentrate along the rip-rap of the dam. They can be caught on a wide variety of baits including shrimp, stinkbaits, blood bait, liver, cut bait and earthworms. Pat Mayse Lake supports a good population of white bass. Schooling fish can be caught using slabs, spoons, topwaters, sassy shads and lipless crankbaits. Anglers can often find these schools along the dam. Hybrid striped bass stockings were discontinued in this reservoir in 2000, but the potential still exists to encounter the occasional large fish.