5 fishing destinations within an hour’s drive of Fort Worth — and what you can catch there

Brayden Garcia
David Montesino

As the fall weather bring cooler temperatures to North Texas, casting your luck at the local fishing spot may be in order.

Before you grab the rod and reel, make sure to pick up a fishing license from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Fishing at Texas state parks is free and legal for anyone, but a license is required for any person over 17 years old fishing in public waters.

Tarrant County is home to several lakes with ample and diverse fish populations, from bass and crappie to catfish. Here’s a look at five North Texas lakes and what to fish for at each one:

Lake Worth

  • Surface area: 3,489 acres

  • Depth: 22 feet

  • Distance from Fort Worth: 10 miles

Lake Worth’s most popular sport fish are catfish and white crappie, while largemouth bass and white bass are also present. Anglers can locate crappie near reed beds and brush piles under docks, and catfish are plentiful over the entire lake, according to the TPWD.

With several boat houses, fishing docks and piers, Lake Worth has multiple structures available for anglers fishing its waters. The largest fish ever caught at the lake was a 75-pound blue catfish in 2012 by angler Mark Alexander.

Lake Worth has four parks around the area with entry to the lake:

  • Casino Beach Park: 7451 Watercress Drive

  • Arrow “S” Park: 7951 Cahoba Drive

  • Sunset Neighborhood Park: 8855 Watercress Drive

  • Marina Park: 4033 Marina Drive

Benbrook Lake

  • Surface area: 3,635 acres

  • Depth: 70 feet

  • Distance from Fort Worth: 16 miles

Benbrook Lake’s most popular sport fish is the hybrid striped bass, which is stocked annually. Catfish, crappie and white bass are other good angling opportunities, along with largemouth bass and sunfish.

Fishing opportunities for hybrid striped bass increase in the late spring and early summer months, and can be found in the lake near the dam, according to TPWD. Blue catfish can be found near the river channel in the winter months and white bass are better targets in the summer.

The largest fish ever caught at Benbrook Lake was a 56-and-a-half-pound flathead catfish by angler Ky Martin in 2008.

Benbrook Lake has six entry points over the area:

  • Benbrook Marina: 301 Lakeview Drive

  • North Holiday Park: 400 Lakeview Drive

  • South Holiday Park: 6000 Pearl Ranch Road

  • Mustang Park: 3600 Winscott Plover Road

  • Rocky Creek Park: 5900 Rocky Creek Park Road

  • Longhorn Park: 7001 Lakeside Drive

Lake Arlington

  • Surface area: 1,939 acres

  • Depth: 51 feet

  • Distance from Fort Worth: 14 miles

Lake Arlington’s most popular sport fish is the largemouth bass, followed by channel catfish. White bass, white crappie and sunfish are also plentiful for anglers.

Anglers have luck year round catching largemouth bass, especially during the winter months, according to TPWD. Crappie can be found around underwater structures during the spring and summer, while catfish is more prevalent in the summer.

The largest fish ever caught at Lake Arlington was a 49-and-a-half pound flathead catfish by angler Elmer Starr in 1994.

There are three entry parks around Lake Arlington:

  • Eugene McCray Park: 3440 Quail Road

  • Bowman Springs Park: 7003 W. Poly Webb Road

  • Richard Simpson Park: 6300 W. Arkansas Lane

Eagle Mountain Lake

  • Surface area: 8,738 acres

  • Depth: 47 feet

  • Distance from Fort Worth: 22 miles

Eagle Mountain Lake’s most popular sport fish is the white bass and white crappie. Largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish and flathead catfish, are also good opportunities for anglers.

White crappie use boat houses as habitats and group up in the lower end of the lake during the summer months, according to TPWD. White bass are popular in the summertime and largemouth bass can also be located by boat docks and reed beds.

The largest fish ever caught at Eagle Mountain Lake was a 73-pound flathead catfish by angler Johnny Morton in 1998.

Visitors have plenty of entry ways to Eagle Mountain Lake:

  • West Bay Marina: 6925 Liberty School Tap Road

  • Pelican Park: 1602 Liberty School Road

  • Shady Grove Park: 1000 Stribling Drive

  • Eagle Mountain Marina: 6500 Wells Burnett Road

  • Twin Points Park: 10200 Ten Mile Bridge Road

  • Creek Harbor: 5929 Indian Creek Road

  • Lakeview Marina: 6600 Peden Road

Joe Pool Lake

  • Surface area: 6,469 acres

  • Depth: 75 feet

  • Distance from Fort Worth: 29

Joe Pool Lake’s most popular sport fish is the largemouth bass, followed by white bass, white crappie and channel catfish.

Largemouth bass can be found around underwater structures and plants hydrilla and pondweed, according to TPWD. Crappie are usually under bridges, white bass in the lower portion of the lake and channel catfish near creek channels.

The largest fish caught at Joe Pool Lake was a nearly 33-pound flathead catfish by angler Randy C. Simpson in 2021.

Joel Pool Lake has several entry points for anglers:

  • Lynn Creek Park: 5610 Lake Ridge Parkway

  • Loyd Park: 3401 Ragland Road

  • Britton Park: 829 Seeton Road

  • Cedar Hill State Park: 1570 Farm-to-Market 1382

What kind of fishing license do I need?

Anglers can choose between three different types of fishing licenses: saltwater, freshwater and all-water.

A freshwater license is for fishing in freshwater ecosystems such as rivers, creeks, lakes and streams. A saltwater license is used for fishing in the ocean and marine ecosystems.

The all-water license is the best of both worlds, offering access to fishing in both freshwater and saltwater environment. Fishing licenses are good from the date of purchase until Aug. 31 of the same or following year:

  • Freshwater license: $30 for Texas resident, $12 Texas resident 65 years or older or $58 for non-residents.

  • Saltwater license: $35 for Texas resident, $17 Texas resident 65 years or older or $63 for non-residents.

  • All-water license: $40 for Texas resident, $22 Texas resident 65 years or older or $68 for non-residents.

Fishing license can be purchased online from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department or at local retailers. Find a local retailer by visiting the TPWD website.

The only people exempt from a fishing license are:

  • Anyone fishing at Texas State Park waters.

  • A person under 17 years of age.

  • A person born before January 1, 1931.

  • A person with an intellectual disability using fishing as a medically approved therapy, under supervision of medical personnel or a family member.

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