Fishing Lake Ray Hubbard — species guide, best spots, and seasonal tips

I've fished Lake Ray Hubbard from the Rowlett side for over 15 years. Here's everything I know.

Species overview (confirmed present and catchable):

Largemouth Bass: The primary gamefish. Lake Ray Hubbard has a solid largemouth population, though it's not a trophy lake. The average keeper is 14-16 inches. Fish over 5 lbs are caught but they're not common.

• Best spots from Rowlett: The submerged structure near the PGBT bridge supports. The old creek channels visible on sonar in the northwest cove. Vegetation edges near Paddle Point in spring.
• Best season: March-May (spawn) and October-November (fall feed)
• Best baits: Texas-rigged soft plastics (watermelon/red flake), spinnerbaits in stained water, topwater in early morning May-September

Catfish (Channel, Blue, and Flathead): This is what Lake Ray Hubbard is really known for. The catfish population is strong and they get big. Blue cats over 30 lbs are caught regularly. The state record lake blue cat is over 50 lbs.

• Best spots from Rowlett: The deep channels (20-35 feet) between the PGBT bridge and Chandler's Landing. The flats near Pecan Grove for channels. Rowlett Creek inlet for flatheads.
• Best season: Year-round, but May-August is peak. Night fishing in summer is productive.
• Best baits: Cut shad (fresh, not frozen) for blues. Punch bait or chicken liver for channels. Live perch or bluegill for flatheads.

White Bass: Excellent spring fishery when whites run up the tributaries.

• Best spots: Rowlett Creek inlet in March-April. Follow the birds — if gulls are diving, whites are schooling underneath.
• Best season: March-April (spring run), with secondary action October-November
• Best baits: White or chartreuse jigs, small crankbaits, live minnows

Crappie (White and Black): Decent crappie fishery, especially around structure.

• Best spots: Submerged brush piles (find them on sonar), boat dock pilings, the old roadbed remnants visible on maps.
• Best season: February-April (pre-spawn and spawn). Fish shallow (2-6 feet) near brush.
• Best baits: Minnows under a slip float, small jigs (1/16 or 1/32 oz) in chartreuse or pink

Shore fishing tips:

• Paddle Point pier: catfish and occasional bass. Best at dawn and dusk.
• Pecan Grove shoreline: good for bank fishing with rod holders. Catfish oriented.
• The riprap along the PGBT bridge: bass hold on the rocks. Cast parallel to the bank.

Boat fishing tips:

• Lake Ray Hubbard is BIG and can get rough. Wind from the south creates significant waves on the open lake. Stay near the north shore (Rowlett side) on windy days.
• Main lake depth averages 25-30 feet with some holes to 40+. Use sonar to find the old creek channels.
• TPWD stocks the lake periodically. Check the stocking report at tpwd.texas.gov for recent additions.

License and regulations:

• Texas fishing license required for anyone 17+ ($30 resident freshwater annual)
• Largemouth bass: 14-inch minimum, 5 per day
• Catfish: no minimum length for channel and blue, 25 per day combined
• White bass: 10-inch minimum, 25 per day
• Check current regs at tpwd.texas.gov — they can change

Sources:

• Texas Parks and Wildlife — Lake Ray Hubbard management data and stocking reports
• TPWD Inland Fisheries — survey data
• 15 years of personal experience fishing this lake