Guided Fishing on Lake Ray Roberts
Lake Ray Roberts is one of the most scenic lakes in North Texas. It straddles Denton and Cooke Counties just north of Denton, covering 29,350 surface acres on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. Impounded in 1987, it's one of the youngest lakes we fish, and surrounding state park land keeps shoreline development to a minimum. It feels a world away from the city, even though it's less than an hour from Dallas and Fort Worth.
We guide Lake Ray Roberts by request, based on scheduling availability and how the lake is fishing. Eagle Mountain Lake is our home water and where most trips run.
Channel Catfish on Lake Ray Roberts
Channel catfish are the main draw. Ray Roberts holds strong populations year-round, and the action can be steady and fast. The lake's clear to slightly stained water, creek channels and brushy cover give channel cats plenty of places to feed, and spring brings a fun shallow-water bite as the water warms.
Channel catfish trips are a great fit for families, kids and first-timers. Catfish under 5 lbs can be kept, and fish cleaning is included on standard trips.
Flathead and Blue Catfish
Ray Roberts has some of the best flathead catfish habitat in the area. Its abundant flooded timber and brush give flatheads ideal cover, and the lake has trophy flathead potential. Flathead trips run July through October with limited availability.
The lake also has a growing blue catfish population. Blues are catchable through the year, though they're less concentrated here than on Eagle Mountain Lake, Lake Lewisville or Lake Worth. Our trophy blue catfish trips run on those lakes, mid-November through February.
White Bass and Crappie
Seasonal white bass and crappie trips are also available on Ray Roberts. White bass school up and feed hard, which makes for fast light-tackle action. Crappie hold around the lake's standing timber, and crappie trips are limited to 2 guests. Text or call to check availability before you plan around one.
Lake Ray Roberts Fishing by Season
Spring brings channel catfish up shallow as the water warms, and the numbers keep improving into May. Summer trips run early in the morning or in the evening to beat the heat, when channel cats and flatheads are most active. Fall is a strong time for channel catfish, and flatheads feed heavily before winter. In winter, channel catfish stay active and blue catfish remain catchable on the right days.
Every season fishes a little differently, so Chad will give you an honest read on conditions for your dates before you book.
Getting to Lake Ray Roberts
Lake Ray Roberts sits about 20 minutes north of Denton, roughly 50 minutes from Dallas and an hour from Fort Worth. The lake has state park ramps and multiple public ramps, and Chad sends the exact ramp and meeting spot by text the evening before your trip, along with your final start time. If you're coming from out of town, Denton has plenty of lodging and restaurants close to the lake.
Planning a Lake Ray Roberts 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, drinks and a valid Texas fishing license. Chad confirms the ramp, meeting spot and start time by text the evening before.
North Texas Catfish Guide Service has guided catfish trips for 29 years, with 525+ five-star reviews and 200+ media features. We guide anglers from Denton, Pilot Point, Sanger, Aubrey, Krum and across Denton and Cooke Counties. Not sure which lake fits your dates best? Text Chad and he'll give you an honest recommendation.
Lake Ray Roberts
Facts.
The numbers, the structure, the access. Everything you need to know about the water we'll be on.
Lake Ray Roberts was impounded in 1987 on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. At 29,350 surface acres, it's one of the larger lakes in North Texas. The lake's relative youth means abundant flooded timber and excellent fish habitat. Surrounding state park land keeps shoreline development to a minimum.
See catches from our trips on the photos & videos page.
Where Is
Lake Ray Roberts?
Lake Ray Roberts sits near Pilot Point 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 Ray Roberts trips, and when they're most active.
White Bass
Seasonal. Fast light-tackle action when schools feed — confirm availability first.
Species PageSeason by
Season.
What to expect month by month on Lake Ray Roberts. 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.
WINTERCold Water. Steady Catfish.
Channel catfish stay active through winter, and blue catfish are catchable on the right days. Our trophy blue catfish trips run on Eagle Mountain Lake, Lake Lewisville and Lake Worth.
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 Ray Roberts for clients from Denton, TX, Pilot Point, TX, Sanger, TX, and Aubrey, 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 Ray Roberts
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 Ray Roberts date.
Channel catfish, flathead catfish and a growing population of blue catfish, plus seasonal white bass and crappie.
Yes. Ray Roberts has strong channel catfish populations year-round, and it's one of the best lakes in North Texas for steady channel cat action.
July through October. The lake's standing timber and brush give flatheads plenty of cover, and the lake has trophy flathead potential.
Our trophy blue catfish trips run mid-November through February on Eagle Mountain Lake, and by request on Lake Lewisville and Lake Worth. Ray Roberts trips focus on channel catfish, flatheads and blue catfish numbers.
About 50 minutes from Dallas and about an hour from Fort Worth. It's about 20 minutes north of Denton.
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."
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 Lewisville
Lake Worth
Lake Grapevine
Benbrook Lake
Lake Bridgeport
Ready to wet a line?
Peak season fills 30–60 days out. Lock yours in now.