Mar 5, 2021

Jacksonville, TX is surrounded by the huge variety of lakes, rivers, and streams that make this corner of East Texas a fisherman’s paradise. There are dozens of fishing spots to discover, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a novice just starting out. No matter what your level of fishing skill, there is bound to be something for you.

Lake

4 of The Best Fishing Spots Near Jacksonville, TX

1. Lake Jacksonville

The closest, and by some accounts the best, the best fishing lake near Jacksonville, Lake Jacksonville is one of the more challenging lakes in the area. However, if you persevere, you can expect to find a good amount of largemouth and spotted bass. Some of the largemouth bass have been known to reach over 15 pounds!

Some of the best places to fish are along the edge of the dam or off one of the several lighted fishing piers that dot the lake. Lake Jacksonville is steeper than many of the other lakes in the region, so would-be anglers would do well to look for any deep structure or brush pile.

2. Lake Palestine

Located to the west of Jacksonville, and only a little over a half an hour’s drive away, Lake Palestine is a large impoundment with excellent populations of White and hybrid striped bass and catfish. There are also good populations of largemouth and spotted bass and crappie in the lake.

The best places to fish are between Texas Highway 155, which crosses the lake just south of the midpoint, and the dam that marks the end of the lake at its southern end. Most of the submerged timber is at this end, which provides excellent cover for fish.

3. Striker Reservoir

Located on Striker Creek, just 20 miles to the east of Jacksonville, Striker Reservoir is a great place to fish for channel catfish and black bass, of which there are great fisheries here. There are also high populations of bluegill and redear sunfish in the lake, which are particularly good for younger or less experienced anglers, making this lake a great place if you’re just starting out.

As the lake water here is fairly turbid, fish tend to stay in the shallows along the shores. The sunfish provide particularly fast action in the summer when they move to the shallower bed to spawn. There are several docks around the reservoir that provide good cover for fish, and many of the catfish, in particular, are found around the creeks that feed into the lake.

4. Lake Murvaul

Located to the east of Jacksonville, this lake bears mention for its excellent bass fishery, which makes it a great place for a fishing day out. It’s also very good for crappie, with some quite large specimens being reported. Bass fishing is best from January to march around the many lake structures.

It’s worth noting that you will need a valid fishing license to fish in all these lakes, and any other public water in Texas, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying a relaxing day by the water. Check out Bacon Auto Country today to find out more.

Image via Pixabay