Sam Rayburn Reservoir is one of East Texas's major fishing lakes

Sam Rayburn Reservoir sits on the Angelina River and spans parts of Angelina, Jasper, Sabine, San Augustine, Nacogdoches, and Tyler counties. The lake covers 114,500 acres with a maximum depth of 80 feet.

Largemouth bass are the main game fish here, and they drive much of the lake's fishing reputation.

Crappie and catfish fisheries are also active year-round, and white bass can be good in spring. The reservoir has hydrilla, standing timber, and flooded vegetation. TPWD also maintains a consumption advisory for the reservoir, so eating fish from the lake is a separate question from catching them.

Twenty-two maintained access areas ring the reservoir, operated by the Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Forest Service, TPWD, and counties. Ramp conditions can change when water is low. Use the lake's access notes and TPWD regulation page when you plan the trip.