Channel Catfish Fishing in Texas
Top 4 lakes ranked by stocking volume
Texas stocks channel catfish in 4 known waters, ranging from small impoundments to multi-thousand-acre reservoirs. The lakes below are sorted by recent stocking volume — quantity isn't everything, but it's a strong proxy for how much effort the state agency is putting into a given fishery.
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About Channel Catfish
Channel cats are the most widely stocked catfish in the U.S. They feed by smell, so smelly baits dominate. Fish them on the bottom in deeper water during the day, shallower at night.
Best seasons: summer. Active water-temp range: 70–85°F.
Productive techniques
- chicken liver
- stink baits on treble hooks
- cut shad
- punch baits
Top Channel Catfish lakes in Texas
| Rank | Lake | County | Acres | Total stocked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toledo Bend Reservoir | Newton | 185,000 | 9,167 |
| 2 | Lake Conroe | Montgomery | 21,000 | 7,099 |
| 3 | Lake Texoma | Grayson | 89,000 | 3,153 |
| 4 | Sam Rayburn Reservoir | Jasper | 114,500 | 2,222 |
Gear for Channel Catfish
Tackle that consistently produces. Amazon Associate links — we earn from qualifying purchases.
- rod: Medium-heavy 7' catfish rod
- reel: Catfish baitcaster
- bait: Stink bait + treble hooks
- rig: Slip sinker rigs
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