If you love to bass fish, crappie fish or bream fish, then welcome to Toledo Bend, the “Fishing Capital of the World”! Toledo Bend Reservoir is world renowned for it’s fabulous bass fishing and crappie fishing. Catfishing is great too! Did you hear about the 92 pound flat head Huxley Bay Marina weighed in a few years ago?
Aggressive, striped bass are here too. How about bow fishing? Huge alligator gar and buffalo fish call Toledo Bend home. On 186,000 surface acres of water, the variety of fishing you can enjoy is limitless!
Toledo Bend, located on the Texas and Louisiana border, was built in 1966 through a joint effort between Texas and Louisiana to produce hydroelectricity for both states, creating the second-largest man-made lake in the U.S. Today it’ s still the largest man-made lake in the south and fifth in the U.S. By damming the Sabine River, it created a lake that is approximately 80 miles long, covers 186,000 square acres, and has approximately 1,200 miles of shoreline.
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Map of Toledo Bend Fishing
Besides having a worldwide reputation for its quality fishing, Toledo Bend has some unique qualities. It has a limit of eight black bass per person per day with no slot limit and a minimum of 14 inches. Crappie has a limit of 50 per person per day, whereas most other lakes have a limit of 25. Recent studies have indicated that there is an average of 300 pounds of game fish per acre in Toledo Bend. That’s over 55 million pounds of game fish!
An aggressive Florida bass stocking program that began in the ’80s and continues today, has resulted in breaking the Toledo Bend lake record almost yearly. Presently, standing at 14.50 lbs. many feel a 16 pounder is lurking just around the corner.
Come see for yourself the many splendors of Toledo Bend.
TOLEDO BEND LAKE RECORDS
| LARGE MOUTH BASS | 14.50 |
| BLACK CRAPPIE | 3.69 |
| STRIPED BASS | 38.75 |
| WHITE CRAPPIE | 2.75 |
| BLUE CATFISH | 67.54 |
| *YELLOW BASS | 2.60 |
| FLATHEAD CATFISH | 97.50 |
| HYBRID BASS | 15.81 |
| ALLIGATOR GAR | 215.00 |
| DRUM | 31.50 |
| *world record |
Directions from Center, Tx
Hwy 87 South to Shelbyville (approx 5 miles). Take Left on Fm 417 in front of Farmer’s State Bank. Continue approx 2 miles to fork in road. Take Right on FM 2694. Follow FM 2694 & Signs for 11 miles. Marina will be on the right.
Toledo Bend Fishing Report
The lake is 162.90 msl, high pool is 172 msl, over nine feet low. Water temp is running in the low 70s. The north end of the lake is stained from high winds and clearing as you go south. Extreme caution should be used running the lake even in marked boat lanes due to the low water conditions. For available ramps you can contact the Sabine River Authority. We are still able to launch at Huxley Bay but it’s one ramp, one boat at a time.
This weeks warming has increased the water temperature and slowed the bite down compared to the last couple weeks but fishing remains good to excellent across the board. It’s just taking a little longer to bag the fish.
Black bass have been coming off C.R. or Texas rigged soft plastics in watermelon flavors and black/blue jigs. Mid to deep diving crank baits are also producing fish. The top water bite and schooling activity has been increasing. The river and creek channel ledges and drops have been the most productive areas.
The Crappie have been effected the most by the warming water and have really slowed way down compared to the last couple weeks. Some good sacks are coming in but the reports indicate you have to cover a lot of brush tops, pick up a couple fish and move on. Shiners working best.
The Whites are holding on the river channel sand bars in 14 to 20ft of water. ½ to ¾ silver slab spoons and tail spinners working best.
Toledo Bend Fishing Guides
Robinson’s Toledo Lodge Road
Shelbyville, TX — 75973
936 368-2211
Mark Robinson has been fishing the Sabine River and the Toledo Bend Reservoir since it was created back in 1968. Many changes have occurred in the lake’s structure and diversity during the almost 45 years he has spent fishing its abundant habitat. Initially he fished for just about anything that would bite a hook, often catching multiple species each outing. – robinsonslodge.com
Toledo Bend Guide Service – Hook ‘Em Up, LLC!
(225) 721-7417
Come join us for an amazing time on the amazing Toledo Bend Lake! Our guides make it their mission to show you and your group a fantastic time on the water! We are a professional guide service on Toledo Bend Lake, our mission is to share our love for the Lord and for fishing on this amazing lake! – toledobendguideservice.com
Sac-A-Lait Slab Hunter Guide Service
(318) 228-5169
We specialize in Sac-a-lait (Crappie) and Bream fishing – The fish that are most fun to catch! SSH Guide Service offers morning and evening fishing trips for some of the best Sac-A-Lait (Crappie) and Bream fishing on Toledo Bend Lake. We also offer Sunset and Family Sightseeing Tours. – sshguideservice.com
Darrell W. Lyons – DW’s Guide Service
120 Creekside Drive
Hemphill, Tx 75948
(409) 787-3664
Fishing Toledo Bend Reservoir since 1972. Professional guide since 1990. Guide service for Toledo Bend Reservoir and Sam Rayburn Reservoir. – toledo-bend.net
Toledo Bend Pro Guide Service
318-332-9537
26 Years experience fishing Toledo Bend Lake. Most of the folks we take fishing are repeat customers. We do have openings, so please call us for a memorable Toledo Bend fishing experience. If you wish to Sac a lait (Crappie) fish, we have the team. – toledobendpro.com
Toledo Bend Guide Service
(936) 368-7151
I’m Greg Crafts, your fishing guide for Toledo Bend Reservoir. I own and operate Toledo Bend Guide Service. If you’re ready to catch fish, I’m ready to show you where and how. And if you want great accommodations for your stay at Toledo Bend Lake, you’ll really enjoy my Toledo Bend Cottage. – toledobendguide.com
Mudfish Adventures with Captain Steve Stubbe
Hemphill, TX
713-825-8464
Come ride with me to experience the mudfish adventure on Toledo Bend Lake. It’s not just a guided fishing trip on Lake Toledo Bend, it’s an adventure. Guided fishing trips for all species including Fly Rod Fishing. – mudfishadventures.com
Cajun Joe’s Fishing Guide Service
337-230-7273
We guide on Toledo bend lake for sacalait crappie- white perch call Joe Duhon. – facebook.com/pg/fishingguidetoledobend