Lake Texoma is often called the "Striper Capital of the World." It is one of the few inland lakes in the United States where striped bass reproduce naturally, using the Red and Washita rivers to spawn, so the lake holds a self-sustaining striper population instead of relying only on stocking. That is why anglers from across the country come here to fish.
Lake Texoma is a reservoir on the Red River along the Texas–Oklahoma border, created by Denison Dam, which was completed in 1944 and is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Tulsa District. The Red and Washita rivers feed the lake, and its shoreline touches Grayson and Cooke counties in Texas and Bryan, Marshall and Love counties in Oklahoma. Towns around the lake include Denison, Pottsboro and Gordonville on the Texas side and Durant, Kingston and Madill on the Oklahoma side.
Striped bass are the headline species, but Lake Texoma also supports blue and channel catfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass and crappie. Stripers often travel in schools chasing shad, so watching for birds diving on bait over open water is a classic way to find them. Many anglers fish live shad, slabs and swimbaits for stripers, while catfish anglers work the river arms and deeper channels.
Because the lake straddles two states, Texas and Oklahoma offer a special Lake Texoma fishing license. It lets an angler who holds a resident license from one state fish the whole lake, including the other state's waters. Rules, prices and bag limits change, so always check the current regulations from Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) before your trip. Lake Texoma has special striped bass regulations, and they differ from statewide rules.
For current conditions, read the TPWD Lake Texoma fishing report and the ODWC Texoma page. Both are updated by state biologists and local guides and often include water temperature and clarity.
The area below Denison Dam is a popular spot to fish from the bank. Spillway Boat Ramp is the closest ramp to the dam. Always obey posted signs and warning sirens near the dam, because water releases can raise river levels quickly.
A licensed striper guide is the fastest way to learn the lake, since guides track where the fish are moving day to day. Guides list their services on SearchTexoma. Are you a guide? Get listed.
Plan a fishing weekend with a lakeside cabin or a hotel close to the marinas.
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See the full Lake Texoma guide for cabins, fishing spots, rentals, marinas and things to do, or read our guides to fishing, cabins, boat rentals, camping and water temperature. Own a Lake Texoma business? List it on SearchTexoma.