Texas is one of the best bass fishing states in the U.S. With well over 100 freshwater lakes in the state, many containing plenty of crawfish, snakes and baitfish, you might wonder which of these Texas lakes are the best lakes for bass fishing.

In my search to narrow down that list of Texas lakes, I found that, like almost everything in the hunting and fishing world of Texas, opinions vary.

Below is a list of 5 of the top bass fishing lakes in Texas. If I have left off your favorite or offended you in some way, take heart in that you are more than welcome to add your favorite bass fishing lake to the list or rant and rave until your fingers bleed.

5 of the Best Texas Bass Fishing Lakes (in no particular order)

LAKE FORK

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Lake Fork is one of the premier trophy bass fishing lakes in Texas. It holds 15 of the top 20 Texas State Record Largemouth Bass. Lake Fork was established, by the Texas Parks and Wildlife, as a premier bass fishing lake, with 732,514 Florida Black Bass being stocked from 1979 through 1987.

Lake Fork offers excellent fish habitat with 80% standing timber left intact, and hydrilla, milfoil, and duckweed being the predominant vegetation.  Largemouth bass and crappie at Lake Fork are subject to special regulations. Largemouth bass are subject to a 16- to 24-inch slot limit. Bass 16 inches and shorter and 24 inches and longer can be harvested with a daily bag limit of 5 fish, of which only 1 fish can be 24 inches or greater.

According the TPWD, Lake Fork suffered from the largemouth bass disease. This disease wiped out many of the largemouth on the lake but it is presently making a comeback.

LAKE RAY ROBERTS

Ray Roberts is just outside Dallas' north door, and it's loaded with big bass. 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.

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. 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.

LAKE AMISTAD

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Amistad is a 64,900-surface-acre reservoir fed by the Rio Grande River, which divides Texas and Mexico. It's about 12 miles northwest of Del Rio, located at the northwestern tip of what is known as the South Texas Plains, and at the southwestern tip of the Edwards Plateau. Largemouth bass are the most popular and abundant sportfish in the reservoir.

Striped bass are popular and sought by anglers due to their strong fighting characteristics and their potential for trophy sizes. Frequent stockings by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department maintain the striper population because they have not successfully reproduced in this reservoir. White bass provide popular seasonal fishing during spring spawning runs. Smallmouth bass are present; anglers report better success with this species in the Devils River arm of the lake.

Largemouth anglers are most successful during the fall, winter, and spring months.

LAKE SAM RAYBURN

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This 114,500-surface-acre lake’s most popular game fish at Sam Rayburn Reservoir is the largemouth bass. Located in deep East Texas, the sheer size of this reservoir fed by the Angelina River and numerous creeks and bayous, makes it a favorite of anglers statewide. White bass numbers are limited, but provide good fishing opportunities during the spring.  The hybrid striped bass population is maintained by TPWD through annual stockings and is popular due to this fish's growth potential, schooling nature, and fighting characteristics.

Bass anglers are most successful at catching largemouth bass during the fall, winter, and spring months. Due to cooler water temperatures, fish are active for longer periods of the day and are typically found in shallow water.

LAKE LIVINGSTON

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With a surface area of 9,000 acres and only 50 miles from Houston, you can imagine that this lake is heavily fished. A notable white bass fishery, white bass are plentiful and grow to large sizes. Largemouth bass and striped bass less abundant but good catches are possible in areas of the reservoir where habitat is available.

White bass are most readily caught in early spring in the many creeks that feed into Lake Livingston. Striped bass can be caught around the 190 bridge area by trolling and vertical jigging spoons or live shad. Largemouth bass are most frequently caught in the bays and creeks from the Kickapoo/Penwaugh area northward.

Spring and fall are the most successful seasons for largemouths.

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As I said before, these are just 5 of the best bass fishing lakes in Texas.  Nothing official here folks.  If you have a favorite tell us about it and why!

CLICK HERE to find the best bass fishing guides in Texas.

CLICK HERE to watch a Bassin' Adventure Tour of Lake Amistad.

Visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Website for more info on Bass Fishing Lakes.