Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Dallas (Complete Guide)

The Dallas area offers some of the best bass fishing in the world and gives anglers their best chance of catching a personal best double-digit bass. Knowing the best time of year to fish in these rich waters can lead to more fish caught.

The best times to fish near Dallas are typically early morning and late afternoon when fish are more active and feeding, with spring and fall being the most productive seasons due to the increased fish activity and favorable weather conditions.

Month	Dallas Fishing Location
January	Lake Ray Hubbard, for Crappie near submerged structures.
February	Lake Lewisville, for White Bass near main lake points.
March	Joe Pool Lake, for Largemouth Bass near vegetation.
April	Lake Grapevine, for Catfish near brush piles.
May	Trinity River, for Channel Catfish near deep holes.
June	Lake Lavon, for Bluegill near shallow water.
July	Cedar Creek Lake, for Striped Bass near main lake humps.
August	Lake Fork Reservoir, for Hybrid Striped Bass near submerged timber.
September	Richland Chambers Reservoir, for White Crappie near bridge pilings.
October	Lake Tawakoni, for Catfish near creek channels.
November	Elm Fork Trinity River, for Alligator Gar near deeper pools.
December	Lake Palestine, for Sunfish near docks and piers.

In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Dallas. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis. Click here to find out the top fishing windows in Texas.

Best Times: Creeks/Rivers to Fish near Dallas

Trinity River is known for Catfish, especially abundant in September.

Rowlett Creek offers great opportunities for Channel Catfish in October.

Mountain Creek is ideal for Bluegill fishing in May and June.

White Rock Creek is a popular spot for Largemouth Bass, especially in April.

Grapevine Creek is renowned for its Crappie, with March being a peak month.

Denton Creek offers chances of catching White Bass in February.

Bear Creek is a prime location for Sunfish, especially during the warm months of July and August.

Elm Fork Trinity River offers great Catfish fishing, particularly in September.

South Sulphur River is a go-to spot for Alligator Gar, with May being an ideal month.

Clear Creek is known for its Largemouth Bass, especially in the spring, around April.

Tenmile Creek offers an environment for Carp, best caught in August.

East Fork Trinity River is known for Catfish, with September being a peak month.

Fish Creek is a good spot for Bluegill, especially in June.

Cedar Creek offers an environment for Largemouth Bass, best in April.

Waxahachie Creek is great for Catfish, particularly in the autumn months, like October.

Chambers Creek is known for its Alligator Gar, particularly in May.

Mustang Creek offers a good environment for White Crappie, especially in March.

Bachman Branch is a preferred location for catching Channel Catfish in September.

Five Mile Creek is a good spot for Sunfish, especially in July.

Little Elm Creek is a known location for White Bass, with February being a peak month.

Check out this helpful guide to a best times for Houston fishing. You may also be interested in this article on the cost for Corpus Christi charters in the best times.

Best Times: Lakes to Fish near Dallas

White Rock Lake is excellent for Largemouth Bass, especially during the spring months like April.

Lake Ray Hubbard offers great Crappie fishing, with March being the best month.

Lake Lewisville is a top choice for White Bass, especially during February.

Lake Lavon is known for Bluegill fishing, with peak activity in June.

Cedar Creek Lake is a preferred spot for Largemouth Bass, especially in April.

Lake Tawakoni is known for White Bass, with February being a productive month.

Richland Chambers Reservoir offers chances for Hybrid Striped Bass, best caught in March.

Lake Fork Reservoir is a hot spot for Largemouth Bass, especially fruitful in April.

Lake Palestine is known for Crappie, with May being a good month.

Joe Pool Lake offers good Catfish fishing, with October being the peak season.

Lake Arlington is a popular spot for White Bass, especially during February.

Mountain Creek Lake is a good spot for Bluegill, best in June.

Grapevine Lake is great for Crappie fishing, especially in March.

Lake Texoma is a known location for Striped Bass, with November being a top month.

Lake Granbury offers opportunities for Largemouth Bass, best in May.

Lake Ray Roberts is a good place for White Crappie, especially during April.

Benbrook Lake is known for Catfish, with September being a peak month.

Lake Whitney offers opportunities for Striped Bass, especially in November.

Lake Dallas is a preferred location for Channel Catfish, best in October.

Lake Bardwell is a good spot for Crappie, with March being the best month.

Recommended Fishing Guides near Dallas

These Dallas-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Luck O’ The Irish – Lake Lewisville	Lewisville, TX
Lakeside Guide Service	Lewisville, TX
Luck O’ The Irish Fishing Guide Service	Grapevine, TX
OB’s Guide Service	Frisco, TX
GTB Outdoors	Dallas, TX
Barefoot Guide Service	Little Elm, TX
Coach Cole’s Guide Service	Little Elm, TX

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Striped Bass

For striped bass near Dallas, fish in spring and fall, especially during April, May, September, and October. Striped bass are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Good fishing spots near Dallas for striped bass include Lake Texoma, Lake Tawakoni, and Lake Ray Hubbard.

Largemouth Bass

For largemouth bass near Dallas, fish in spring and fall, particularly in April, May, September, and October. Largemouth bass are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Good fishing spots near Dallas for largemouth bass include Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Lewisville, and Joe Pool Lake.

Smallmouth Bass

To catch smallmouth bass near Dallas, fish in spring and fall, especially during April, May, September, and October. Smallmouth bass are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Good fishing spots near Dallas for smallmouth bass include Lake Ray Roberts, Possum Kingdom Lake, and Lake Texoma.

White Bass

To catch white bass near Dallas, go fishing in spring and fall, especially during March, April, May, and October. White bass are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Good fishing spots near Dallas for white bass include Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Lewisville, and Lake Grapevine.

Hybrid Striped Bass

For hybrid striped bass near Dallas, go fishing in spring and fall, particularly in April, May, September, and October. Hybrid striped bass are often active during the early morning and late afternoon. Good fishing spots near Dallas for hybrid striped bass include Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Lewisville, and Richland Chambers Reservoir.

Spotted Bass

To catch spotted bass near Dallas, fish in spring and fall, especially in March, April, May, and September. Spotted bass are more active during early morning and late afternoon. Good spots near Dallas for catching spotted bass include Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Lewisville, Lake Grapevine, and Joe Pool Lake.

Gar

If you want to catch gar near Dallas, the best times to fish are during the warmer months of spring and summer. Gar are often active during the day, especially in the morning and late afternoon. Good locations near Dallas for catching gar include the Trinity River, Lake Lewisville, and Lake Ray Roberts.

Catfish

The best times to fish for catfish near Dallas are spring and fall, particularly in April, May, September, and October. Catfish are more active during the early morning and late afternoon. Good fishing locations for catfish near Dallas include Joe Pool Lake, Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Lewisville, and the Trinity River.

Crappie

The best times to catch crappie near Dallas are in spring and fall when the weather is mild. The best months for crappie fishing are typically March, April, May, and October. Crappie are more active during early morning and late afternoon. Good locations near Dallas for catching crappie include Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Lewisville, Lake Grapevine, and Joe Pool Lake.

Best Fishing near Dallas on a Seasonal Basis

Winter

Lake Grapevine: White Bass.
Lake Lewisville: Hybrid Striped Bass.
Joe Pool Lake: Catfish.
Lake Ray Hubbard: Crappie.

Spring

Lake Grapevine: Crappie.
Lake Lewisville: White Bass.
Joe Pool Lake: Largemouth Bass.
Lake Ray Hubbard: Catfish.

Summer

Lake Grapevine: White Bass.
Lake Lewisville: Catfish.
Joe Pool Lake: Largemouth Bass.
Lake Ray Hubbard: Crappie.

Fall

Grapevine Lake is a good spot for Crappie, especially near underwater structures during fall.
Lake Ray Hubbard is popular for Largemouth Bass, which are more active during the fall season.
Joe Pool Lake is excellent for Catfish. As the weather cools in fall, they tend to bite more.
Lake Lewisville is known for White Bass, often coming closer to the surface in fall.