Wright Patman Lake

White bass are very popular at Wright Patman, with high numbers of quality-size fish available for harvest. Crappie are also popular at Wright Patman, with large numbers of legal-size fish available. Both white and black crappie are present; white crappie dominates. Channel and blue catfish are both present, with high densities of quality size fish.

Structural habitat consists of flooded timber, brush, creek channels, and riprap. Submerged aquatic vegetation is coverage is low, however high densities of emergent and floating plants are present. Man-made structures have been used to create five fish habitat "reefs" in this reservoir.

Largemouth bass fishing at Wright Patman Lake peaks during spring pre-spawn when fish move to shallow flats and points — work Texas-rigged soft plastics, lipless crankbaits, and spinnerbaits for best results. Catfish are productive year-round; cut shad, chicken liver, or prepared stink bait fished on the bottom near structure produces steady action from spring through fall. Target crappie around any available timber or brush piles with small jigs or live minnows — late winter and early spring are prime when fish move shallow to spawn. White bass form aggressive surface-feeding schools in fall chasing shad into shallow coves — silver spoons, small white grubs, and inline spinners all produce when fish are busting the surface.

All species at Wright Patman Lake are managed under standard Texas statewide regulations.