Guided Fishing on Lake Lewisville
Lake Lewisville is one of the best catfish lakes in North Texas. It sits in Denton County between Dallas and Denton, covering 29,592 surface acres on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. Impounded in 1955, it's one of the biggest lakes we fish, with deep water, expansive flats, abundant standing timber, creek channels and riprap. The lake gets plenty of pressure, but its catfish population is excellent and well established.
We guide Lake Lewisville by request, based on scheduling availability and current fishing conditions. Eagle Mountain Lake is our home water and where most trips run, but when the bite is right, Lewisville is one of our favorite places to fish.
Trophy Blue Catfish on Lake Lewisville
Lewisville is one of our top trophy lakes, alongside Eagle Mountain Lake and Lake Worth. In the cooler months, big blue catfish stack up in predictable patterns, and the lake produces quality fish in the 20–50+ lb range. Chad has seen some unforgettable winter days here, including one January trip with more than 30 trophy-size fish.
Our trophy blue catfish trips run mid-November through February as a 5-hour or full-day trip. They're capped at 4 anglers, and 3 is ideal. We fish fresh-caught bait on heavy rods, use Garmin electronics to find big fish on deep structure and timber, and release every catfish over 5 lbs after photos and measurements.
Blue and Channel Catfish Numbers
Outside trophy season, Lake Lewisville offers excellent numbers of blue catfish year-round. Spring brings a fun shallow-water bite as blues move up onto the flats, and it's one of the busiest times of year for trips. Channel catfish are strong year-round too, and they're especially good in summer, when the action can be fast.
These trips are a great fit for families, kids and first-timers who want steady bites. Catfish under 5 lbs can be kept for the table, and fish cleaning is included on standard trips.
Flatheads, White Bass and Hybrids
Lewisville holds good flathead catfish, with the best window from July through October. Flathead trips are limited and slower, so they're best for anglers chasing one big bite. The lake is also home to seasonal white bass and hybrid striped bass trips, which run in the summer months and offer fast light-tackle action when the schools are feeding. Text ahead to check availability.
Lake Lewisville Fishing by Season
Fall brings improving numbers of blue and channel catfish as the water cools, and flatheads feed before winter. Winter is prime time for trophy blue catfish, when big blues stack up and become easier to locate. Spring delivers shallow-water blue catfish action with numbers and size potential. Summer trips run in the morning, evening or at night, with channel catfish very strong and the flathead bite picking up in July.
Lake Dallas and the Old Lake
If you hear locals talk about Lake Dallas, they're talking about Lewisville. Lake Dallas was the original lake, built in the 1920s, and the upper northwest arm of Lake Lewisville is still often called the old lake. When the new dam was finished, the two bodies of water became one big reservoir, which is part of why Lewisville has so much varied structure for catfish to use.
Planning a Lake Lewisville Fishing Trip
Half-day trips start at $375 for 1–2 anglers, and each extra angler is $100. The boat, rods, reels, bait and tackle are all included. Bring food, water or soft drinks (no alcohol at any time), a small cooler and a valid Texas fishing license. We suggest a launch at booking based on conditions, and Chad confirms the ramp, meeting spot and start time by text the evening before.
Lewisville is about 30 minutes from Dallas and 40 minutes from Fort Worth, which makes it a convenient choice for groups from the north side of the Metroplex. We guide anglers from Lewisville, Lake Dallas, Hickory Creek, Highland Village, Little Elm, The Colony, Frisco, Plano, Carrollton and Denton.
North Texas Catfish Guide Service has guided catfish trips for 29 years, with 525+ five-star reviews and 200+ media features. Not sure whether Lewisville or Eagle Mountain is the better fit for your dates? Text Chad and he'll give you an honest recommendation.
Lake Lewisville
Facts.
The numbers, the structure, the access. Everything you need to know about the water we'll be on.
- Location: Elm Fork of the Trinity River, Denton County, near Lewisville
- Size: 29,592 acres
- Maximum depth: 67 feet
- Impounded: 1954
- Normal water clarity: Murky
- Water level fluctuation: 4–8 feet a year
- Main species: largemouth bass, white bass, white crappie, hybrid and striped bass, blue catfish, channel catfish
Aquatic vegetation is sparse. The Army Corps of Engineers and Texas Parks and Wildlife are running a native plant restoration project.
Access and camping: The Corps runs or leases most of the parks, and most have campgrounds, beaches, picnic areas and bank fishing. Good ramps are at East Hill Park, Stewart's Creek Park, Hidden Cove, Little Elm, Big Sandy, Westlake Park, Arrowhead Park, Sycamore Bend, Pilot Knoll, Tower Bay and City Park. Most parks charge an entrance or ramp fee.
Fishing tips: Largemouth hold on timber and shoreline cover. White bass school in the main lake in summer, so follow the gulls. Crappie stack under the bridges across the arms. Hybrids and stripers hang on humps and ridges in Walnut Creek and the main lake. For catfish, start in old Lake Dallas.
Lake Lewisville was impounded in 1955 on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. At 29,592 acres it's one of the biggest lakes we fish, with significant deep water, expansive flats, abundant timber, and varied structure. The lake gets pressure but the catfish population is excellent and well-established.
See catches from our trips on the photos & videos page.
Where Is
Lake Lewisville?
Lake Lewisville sits near Lewisville in Denton County, Texas. Approximate drive times:
Eagle Mountain Lake trips depart from Lakeview Marina. For by-request lakes, Chad confirms the meeting spot with your trip instructions.
What We
Fish For Here.
The species we target on Lake Lewisville trips, and when they're most active.
Hybrid Striped Bass
Seasonal. Hard-pulling light-tackle action — confirm availability first.
Species PageSeason by
Season.
What to expect month by month on Lake Lewisville. The bite changes — but it doesn't quit.
FALLCooler Days. Hot Catfish Action.
Fall brings great channel and blue catfish fishing, typically with fast action and good-quality fish. September and October can also offer good opportunities for flathead catfish and white bass. Bring your friends or family—we’ll handle the boat, bait and gear.
WINTERBig Fish. Great Action. Winter Delivers.
The best time of year to chase trophy blue catfish—and a great season for catching numbers of channel and blue catfish. Fishing is typically good to excellent, with plenty of quality fish and a real chance at a trophy, even on trips focused on numbers.
SPRINGBig Blues. Fat Channels. Serious Spring Fun.
March and April bring excellent blue catfish fishing with one of the most fun patterns of the year—and a chance at a trophy. May delivers some of the year’s best channel catfish action, with big numbers of big, fat fish. It also kicks off a great white bass bite.
SUMMERFast Bites. Big Numbers. Summer Fun.
Summer brings consistent channel catfish fishing, typically with fast action and big numbers. June and July also usually offer a great white bass bite. Bring the kids, grandkids or friends—we’ll handle the boat, bait and gear.
Drive in From the Whole DFW Metroplex.
We host catfish guide trips on Lake Lewisville for clients from Lewisville, TX, Denton, TX, The Colony, TX, Frisco, TX, and Little Elm, TX — plus all of Dallas-Fort Worth and beyond, including Fort Worth, Dallas, Denton, Decatur and Weatherford. We also see regular clients from Lubbock, Midland, and the Texas Panhandle who make the drive for what these lakes hold.
Lake Lewisville
Questions.
Yes, by request based on scheduling availability and current fishing conditions. Eagle Mountain Lake is our home water and where most trips run. Text 817-522-3804 to request a Lewisville date.
Yes. Lewisville is one of the best catfish lakes in North Texas, with excellent numbers of blue and channel catfish, good flathead fishing and trophy blue catfish in the cooler months.
Yes, by request. Trophy blue catfish trips run mid-November through February, capped at 4 anglers (3 is ideal). Every fish over 5 lbs is photographed and released.
Blue catfish, trophy blue catfish, channel catfish and flathead catfish. Seasonal white bass and hybrid striped bass trips are also available.
Winter is the best time for trophy blue catfish. Spring brings shallow-water blue catfish action, summer is strong for channel catfish, and fall numbers improve as the water cools.
About 30 minutes from Dallas and about 40 minutes from Fort Worth.
We suggest a launch at booking based on conditions, and Chad confirms the ramp and meeting spot by text the evening before your trip.
Trips start at $375 for a half-day with 1–2 anglers. Each extra angler is $100. Boat, bait and tackle are included.
525+ Five-Star
Reviews.
Real reviews from real clients, straight from Google.
"One of the best days I have had fishing in my life! Chad had us catching fish within the first 5 minutes on the water, and it did not stop until our time was up. Chad clearly knows his stuff and he knows the lake like the back of his hand. DO NOT hesitate to book a trip — you will not regret it."
"His boat is awesome — top of the line and comfortable. I do a lot of fishing, and Chad's knowledge of the lake and where the fish would be was unmatched. He was a professional and went above and beyond. We slayed them. My buddy even caught about a 27-pound blue cat on light tackle."
"Best fishing guide service. Never disappointing trip. We have done like 6 trips. Will continue. If you are looking for a fun fishing trip, Chad F is the person to call."
Lake Lewisville Catfish Fishing Guide
North Texas Catfish Guide Service is the oldest and longest-running guide service on Lake Lewisville. We fish here for blue catfish, channel catfish and flathead catfish.
Lake Lewisville covers 29,592 acres on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River in Denton County. It was impounded in 1954. It's been rated more than once among the top 5 blue catfish lakes in Texas, and it holds some huge trophy blues along with good numbers of channels and big flatheads.
It sits just north of the metroplex, a short drive from most of DFW. Whether you want eating-size blues and channels or a trophy that stretches your line, it's a great lake for a guided trip.
You'll hear people say "Lake Dallas." That's the old lake, the upper northwest arm of Lake Lewisville. Same water.
Food and lodging are close by in Lewisville, Shady Shores, Lake Dallas and Hickory Creek, and there are state parks and RV parks around the lake.
Lake Lewisville Through the Year
Winter: we fish for trophy blue catfish or numbers of blues. Trophy fish average 25 to 30 pounds, and fish over 50 pounds are common here. The best months are November through February. I'll try to put you on a big blue any time of year, though, not just winter. Trophy trips are rod and reel only, and every catfish over 5 pounds is released.
Fall and winter are also bird season. We follow the cormorants (some people call them water turkeys) to find schools of blues and channels. It runs from early October into mid-April. Most fish are one to ten pounds, 20- to 35-pound fish are common, and a trophy can show up anytime.
Spring and summer: as the water warms, we fish structure for blues and channels, and the action gets fast. When summer gets hot we fish early mornings, evenings and nights. Night trips are a great way to catch numbers in summer.
Your trip starts at either the Big Sandy Access Area in Shady Shores (old lake) or Tower Bay Park near the I-35 bridge. I'll tell you which ramp the day before. Call 817-522-3804 to book.
Other Waters
We Guide.
Eagle Mountain Lake is always available. Other North Texas lakes are available by request, depending on season and scheduling.
Eagle Mountain Lake
Lake Worth
Lake Ray Roberts
Lake Grapevine
Benbrook Lake
Lake Bridgeport
Ready to wet a line?
Peak season fills 30–60 days out. Lock yours in now.