Ray Roberts Lake

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

Lake Characteristics

Location: On the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, 10 miles north of Denton off FM 455. The dam is in Denton County but the reservoir extends into Cooke and Grayson counties.
Surface area: 25,600 acres
Maximum depth: 106 feet
Impounded: 1987

Water Conditions

Current Lake Level
Conservation Pool Elevation: 632.5 ft. msl
Fluctuation: 3-5 feet
Normal Clarity: Clear

Reservoir Controlling Authority

US Army Corps of Engineers
1801 N. Mill Street
Lewisville, Texas 75067
(469 )645-9100

Aquatic Vegetation

Native emergent vegetation includes water willow and cattail. Submerged vegetation includes Chara and milfoil which fluctuate with water level. Native floating-leaved vegetation includes pondweed.

Predominant Fish Species

• Largemouth bass
• White bass
• Blue catfish
• Channel catfish
• Crappie
• Sunfish

Lake Records
Current Fishing Report
Stocking History
Latest Survey Report

Lake Maps

Available commercially at the Pilot Point Chamber of Commerce, Sanger Chamber of Commerce, and US Army Corps of Engineers stations in Lewisville and Fort Worth

Fishing Regulations

All game fishes are currently managed under statewide regulations.

Angling Opportunities

Black bass, catfish, crappie, and sand (white) bass are popular on this lake. There are many good areas to fish for bass. White bass fishing peaks in the spring during the spawning run up tributaries, and again in the summer when bass school in the main pool off the dam and main lake points. Crappie and Catfish provide good fishing year-round. The blue catfish population at Ray Roberts has improved substantially in recent years. Blue catfish from 12- to 20-inches are abundant and available for harvest. Quality fish, ten pounds and larger, are also present.

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

Fishing Cover/Structure

Ray Roberts Lake has approximately 2,000 acres of standing timber, located mostly in the upper reaches of both major arms. Rip-rap can be found along the dam and near bridge crossings. Aquatic vegetation can be found along some shorelines. Additional structure is provided by stream channels, flooded main-lake points, inundated pond dams, flooded rocks/boulders/stumps, and 44 inundated brush piles constructed before impoundment. Some of this structure is shown on lake maps available from the Chambers of Commerce or at most fishing tackle stores.

Tips & Tactics

Largemouth bass angling seems to peak in the spring and fall, but most trophy bass are caught in February and March. The bait of choice in cold months is a jig or jig and pig combination fished slowly around deep submerged points. In spring you might want to try a Carolina rigged worm or lizard in shallow water found on the main flats between feeder creeks in the Isle du Bois Creek arm. In early summer, try vertical jigging in the acres of standing timber. In June, big bass can be found at the base of flooded trees in 25 feet of water. In the fall try jerk baits, crank baits, and spinners. A white spinner bait in dingy water is an excellent choice.

There are many good spots to fish for white bass on this lake. Once you visit here you will understand. Baits of choice include surface baits, jigs, spoons, and minnows. For catfish, bait up with cut bait, shrimp, or stink bait. Crappie produce best in the winter when they school deep and around structure or during the spring when they come in to spawn. In either case the baits of choice include a myriad of jigs and minnows. For sunfish such as bluegill, fish around any flooded brush or rocks and use live earthworms.