There’s never a bad time to go fishing in Dallas and it can sometimes be hard to decide where to go — so we’ve curated a list of fantastic fishing spots so you don’t have to. From ponds to lakes and rivers filled with Dallas’ best freshwater fish, we’ve got you covered! Make sure you have an up-to-date fishing license or purchase one here through the Texas Parks & Wildlife Fishing. Pack a lunch, grab some friends and head out for a peaceful day on the water!

8 fishing spots within 45 minutes of Dallas 

Lake Cliff Park

Dallas

Driving Distance from Downtown Dallas: 5 minutes

Stocked with catfish, sunfish and bass, this beautiful lake is the perfect spot to settle in and see what you can catch. There is excellent bank access making it easy to find your fishing spot for the day. Additionally, there are walking trails, a playground, picnic tables and outdoor sport courts and fields. You can make it an entire day at this park by fishing, enjoying a picnic lunch and then stretching your legs with a gentle walk if you need to. 

White Rock Lake

Dallas

Driving Distance from Downtown Dallas: 15 minutes

A tributary to the Trinity River, White Rock Lake has a variety of fish including channel catfish, largemouth bass and white crappie. There are many fishing opportunities on this lake and you can access them by means of boat, utilizing the fishing piers or from the bank. Largemouth bass are often found around the reed beds, mouths of creeks and up Dickson Branch. Fishing along White Rock Creek in the spring is your best bet for catching White Crappie. The lake also features picnic tables, a dog park, rentable kayaks and hiking trails. 

Bachman Lake

Dallas

Driving Distance from Downtown Dallas: 15 minutes

Open all year, Bachman Lake is a great fishing spot to spend the day. There is a boat ramp for fishing on the lake and plenty of shoreline to fish from. The four main predominant fish species are largemouth bass, channel & blue catfish, white crappie and sunfishes. While catfish can be caught all throughout the lake, there isn’t a high abundance of them in the water. Crappie on the other hand swim in abundance and have a good chance of being caught on minnows and jigs just along the dam and in the deeper areas found in the western end of the lake. Once you’ve collected your fish for the day, you can use any of the grills provided at the lake to enjoy your hard work. There are also walking trails, a playground, recreation center and a sand volleyball court to add to the enjoyment of your day. 

City Lake Park

Mesquite, TX

Driving Distance from Downtown Dallas: 20 minutes

City Lake Park is a local favorite for trout and catfish. As a participant in the Neighborhood Fishin’ Program, rainbow trout are stocked November through early March and catfish are stocked April through October. With a dedicated fishing pier you have easy access to throw in a line and see what the day will bring. There is a reservable covered picnic area to host your friends and family for your fishing day. You can also enjoy the walking path, little-league field and tennis courts. 

Lakeside Park

Duncanville, TX

Driving Distance from Downtown Dallas: 15 minutes

Lakeside Park also participates in the Neighborhood Fishin’ Program and is stocked with trout and catfish year round (except during August). During the winter and summer months, the lake is stocked every two to four weeks. When you’re not fishing, you can enjoy the various sport courts and fields, playgrounds, and picnic areas. 

Greenbriar Park

Fort Worth, TX

Driving Distance from Downtown Dallas: 40 minutes

Greenbriar Lake offers a huge variety of fish to try and catch. You can catch channel catfish, bluegill sunfish, green sunfish, largemouth bass and rainbow trout. Dedicated as a park in 1973, this fifty year old park offers activities for everyone. In addition to fishing, there are several sport courts and fields, a playground, picnic areas and shelter and walking trails. 

Chisholm Park

Hurst, TX

Driving Distance from Downtown Dallas: 30 minutes

This neighborhood pond receives frequent stocking of catfish and trout year round as a participant in the Neighborhood Fishin’ Program. There is ample fishing access along the banks of the pond. The park also offers two large picnic pavilions, an aquatics center, and two playgrounds. The Hurst Public Library is a participant in the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department's Tackle Loaner Program giving access to fishing equipment available for your use. 

South Lakes Park Pond

Denton, TX

Driving Distance from Downtown Dallas: 40 minutes

South Lakes Park features two fishing ponds stocked with sunfish, largemouth bass and catfish. This expansive park offers a fishing dock near the playground. There are over a dozen grills onsite if you want to enjoy your catch of the day before heading home. Various sport courts and fields are located at the park along with over two miles of walking trails. There is something for everyone at this park and it is easy to make an entire day of your visit. 

You don’t have to travel very far from our luxury Dallas apartments to enjoy a good day of fishing. Whether you are seeking a day of solitude by yourself or the company of friends, each of these fishing spots offer amenities and fishing access to enjoy all day long!

Have fun!

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Featured photo by Andrey Trusov on Unsplash