Ray Roberts Lake
Quick Links: Fishing Regulations | Angling Opportunities | Cover & Structure | Tips & Tactics
Zebra mussels have been found in this reservoir. See the regulations section below for special precautions.
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 pushes water 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
(972) 434-1666
Aquatic Vegetation
More than half the shoreline has native floating, native submersed, or non-native submersed aquatic vegetation (about 2,212 surface acres in all). Floating species include floating pondweed, American lotus, and water primrose. Native submersed species are American milfoil, bushy pondweed, and Chara. Non-native hydrilla is also present.
Predominant Fish Species
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.
To prevent spread of invasive zebra mussels, anglers and boaters leaving this lake will need to empty all bait buckets, live wells, bilges, and any other receptacles, containers, or systems that could contain water in order to avoid spreading microscopic mussel larvae. A person who travels on a public roadway via the most direct route to another access point located on the same body of water needn't drain water until leaving for a different water body or other destination. Boaters are also required by law to remove any visible mussels or exotic vegetation from boats, trailers and other equipment. For more details, see Possession and Transport of Exotic Aquatic Species.
Angling Opportunities
Guided trips for largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie are popular on this lake. There are many good spots to fish for largemouths. 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. Crappie produce best in winter, and catfishing is great all summer, especially in early June when feeder creeks carry runoff.
| Species | Poor | Fair | Good | Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass |  |
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| Catfish |  |
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| Crappie |  |
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| White Bass |  |
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| 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. There is rip-rap along the dam at the south end of the main pool and 2,212 acres of floating and submersed aquatic vegetation. 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 man 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.