Sam Rayburn Reservoir

Angelina, Nacogdoches, San Augustine, Jasper & Sabine Counties, Texas

Sam Rayburn is the largest reservoir entirely within Texas, in the pine woods of East Texas. It is famous for largemouth bass and hosts many major tournaments.

Air temp in Broaddus, TX Loading current temperature…

Red pins match the numbered boat launches below. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Sam Rayburn Reservoir (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area114,500 acres

Max depth80 ft

Shoreline—

Boat motorsCheck local rules

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Largemouth Bass●●●●●

Fish hydrilla edges with lipless cranks and Texas-rigged worms.

Crappie●●●●○

Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.

Channel Catfish●●●○○

Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.

White Bass●●●○○

Look for runs up the Angelina River in late winter.

Bluegill●●●○○

Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.

When they bite

Month-by-month activity for each target species.

	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Largemouth Bass
Crappie
Channel Catfish
White Bass

SlowFairGoodHot

Boat launches

6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

1Twin Dikes ParkFee
Corps of Engineers, south shore off Rec Rd 255, about 20 mi north of Jasper; open year-roundDirections ↗
2Ebenezer ParkFee
Corps of Engineers, south shore off Rec Rd 255; $4 ramp fee for non-campersDirections ↗
3Rayburn ParkPublic
Corps of Engineers, north shore on FM 3127, about 23 mi SW of PinelandDirections ↗
4San Augustine ParkPublic
Corps of Engineers, about 10 mi NW of Pineland, San Augustine CountyDirections ↗
5Mill Creek ParkPublic
Corps of Engineers, Sabine County on the east sideDirections ↗
More public accessPublic
See Texas Parks & Wildlife or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Sam Rayburn Reservoir are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ↗

Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Needmore TackleNearby
4239 Sam Rayburn Pkwy, Brookeland, TX(409) 698-9430 Directions ↗
Tackle AddictNearby
3755 Sam Rayburn Pkwy, Brookeland, TX(409) 698-9370 Directions ↗
Rayburn Resort and MarinaNearby
4404 Sam Rayburn Pkwy, Brookeland, TX(409) 698-2696 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Sam Rayburn Reservoir ↗

Local tips

Hydrilla and other grass beds are the key bass cover most of the year.
Wind can build big waves on the open main lake, so plan runs with the forecast.
Standing timber lines old creek channels, so use a map before fishing new water.

Angler reports

Water temp, what's biting, and anything else other anglers should know about Sam Rayburn Reservoir.

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View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.