Wright Patman Lake Fishing
Ramps, live water level, TPWD species ratings, lake records and the limits that apply on 18,994 acres in Bowie County and Cass County.
- 18,994acres
- 40 ftmax depth
- 14boat ramps
- 12.28 lbrecord bass
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0
Wright Patman Lake, Texas at a glance
Wright Patman Lake covers 18,994 acres with a maximum depth of 40 feet and has held water since 1956. TPWD lists it in the Pineywoods region, in Bowie County and Cass County. Location: on the Sulphur River in Bowie and Cass counties, 10 miles southwest of Texarkana.
The fish to target, going by TPWD ratings: blue catfish, crappie and white bass as excellent, with largemouth bass and flathead catfish rated good.
A 12.28 pound largemouth from 2010 still stands as the Wright Patman Lake bass record.
Expect moderate water on a typical day; the lake carries vegetation covers less than 10% of the lake’s total surface area. dominant species include chara, american lotus, black willow, and buttonbush; levels swing 4-5 feet.
Controlling authority: US Army Corps of Engineers (903) 838-8781. Wright Patman Lake facts from the TPWD lake page, checked October 2026.
Water level at Wright Patman Lake today
How far Wright Patman Lake sits above or below the top of its conservation pool.
Texas Water Development Board, Water Data for Texas, reading dated 2026-10-08. Retrieved Oct 9, 2026 5:07 am ET. 30 day chart on TWDB.
USGS has no current reading for these gauges.
What bites at Wright Patman Lake
TPWD survey ratings for Wright Patman Lake, species by species.
Bars: 4 excellent, 3 good, 2 fair, 1 poor.
Predominant species: Largemouth bass, Blue catfish, Channel catfish, Flathead catfish, Crappie, Sunfish, White bass.
Wright Patman Lake lake records
Record fish from Wright Patman Lake, heaviest first.
| Species | Weight (lb) | Length (in) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue catfish | 69 | 47 | 2014-12-31 |
| Longnose gar | 30.7 | 59.33 | 2010-09-02 |
| Smallmouth buffalo | 28.1 | 34 | 2015-07-06 |
| Largemouth bass | 12.28 | 24.13 | 2010-04-17 |
| Hybrid striped bass | 7.61 | 25 | 2006-10-04 |
| Freshwater drum | 4.04 | 19.5 | 2022-08-15 |
| White crappie | 2.84 | 15.68 | 2026-02-07 |
| White bass | 2.06 | 17.13 | 2018-06-01 |
Wright Patman Lake records: TPWD water body records, list updated October 8, 2026. Retrieved October 2026.
Boat ramps and access on Wright Patman Lake
TPWD lists 14 access points on this lake, 14 with a boat ramp and 2 with a marina.
Malden Lake
Boat ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping. (903) 838-8781
Herron Creek
Boat ramp; fee charged; restrooms, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping. (903) 838-8781
Berry Farm Park
Boat ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, camping. (903) 838-8781
Kelly Creek Marina
Boat ramp; marina; fee charged; restrooms, live bait, parking, boat gas, camping. (903) 585-5453
Big Creek Marina
Boat ramp; marina; fee charged; restrooms, live bait, parking, boat gas, camping. (903) 585-2357
Clear Springs
Boat ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, picnic areas, camping. (903) 838-8781
North Shores
Boat ramp; fee charged; restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas. (903) 838-8781
Intake Hill
Boat ramp; fee charged; parking. (903) 838-8781
Cass County Park
Boat ramp; fee charged; restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, picnic areas, camping. (903) 756-5701
Rocky Point
Boat ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, camping. (903) 838-8781
Piney Point
Boat ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, camping. (903) 838-8781
Overcup Landing
Boat ramp; no fee; restrooms, parking, boat gas. (903) 838-8781
Jackson Creek
Boat ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, picnic areas, camping. (903) 838-8781
Atlanta State Park
1 lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, cleaning stations, parking, courtesy docks, camping. (903) 796-6476
Map: 14 TPWD access points. Ramp facts: TPWD Wright Patman Lake page, October 2026. Low water can close ramps.
Fishing limits at Wright Patman Lake
Statewide limits apply at Wright Patman Lake; the common ones are listed.
| Species | Daily bag | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass | 5 | 14 in minimum |
| Striped bass | 5 | 18 in minimum |
| Hybrid striped bass | 5 | 18 in minimum |
| White bass | 25 | 10 in minimum |
| Flathead catfish | 5 | 18 in minimum |
| White crappie | 25 | 10 in minimum |
| Black crappie | 25 | 10 in minimum |
Limits for Wright Patman Lake from the TPWD Outdoor Annual, 2026-27 (valid Sep. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2027), checked October 2026.
Tournaments on Wright Patman Lake
| Date | Event | Organizer | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027-04-16 | 2027 Crappie Masters National Qualifier Stop #4 | Crappie Masters | upcoming |
Tournament dates for Wright Patman Lake from each organizer, retrieved October 2026.
Shops and guides near Wright Patman Lake
- Academy Sports + Outdoors TexarkanaTexarkana, 10 miles north of the lake, (903) 831-2460
- Baits N BladesTexarkana, 11 miles north of the lake, (903) 832-4545
Shop and guide sources for Wright Patman Lake: OpenStreetMap, store locators and guide websites (October 2026).
Lakes and towns near Wright Patman Lake
Lone Star Lake
43 miles southwest, 1,516 acres
Lake Welsh
43 miles southwest, 1,269 acres
Caddo Lake
44 miles south, 26,800 acres
Lake O' the Pines
44 miles southwest, 0 acres
- TexarkanaBowie County, 10 miles northeast
- JeffersonMarion County, 39 miles south
- UncertainHarrison County, 42 miles south
- KarnackHarrison County, 45 miles south
- Bowie CountyFishing access across the county
- Cass CountyFishing access across the county
Questions about fishing Wright Patman Lake
How big is Wright Patman Lake?
Wright Patman Lake covers 18,994 surface acres and is 40 feet deep at its deepest point, according to TPWD.
When was Wright Patman Lake built?
The reservoir was impounded in 1956 on Sulphur River.
What is the Wright Patman Lake record largemouth bass?
The lake record largemouth bass weighed 12.28 pounds and measured 24.13 inches, caught 2010-04-17, per TPWD water body records.
What other lake records does Wright Patman Lake hold?
Blue catfish 69 lb; Longnose gar 30.7 lb; Smallmouth buffalo 28.1 lb.
What fish are best at Wright Patman Lake?
TPWD rates largemouth bass good; blue catfish excellent; flathead catfish good; crappie excellent; white bass excellent; sunfish fair.
How many boat ramps are on Wright Patman Lake?
TPWD lists 14 boat ramps on Wright Patman Lake, and 1 of them charge no fee.
Is there a marina on Wright Patman Lake?
Yes. TPWD lists 2 marinas at Wright Patman Lake: Kelly Creek Marina and Big Creek Marina.
How do I check the water level at Wright Patman Lake?
Look at the water level section of this page: it pulls the Wright Patman Lake reading from TWDB every hour.
What are the fishing limits at Wright Patman Lake?
No special rules at Wright Patman Lake. The statewide largemouth limit is 5 fish, 14 inch minimum.
Are there fishing tournaments on Wright Patman Lake?
Upcoming: 2027 Crappie Masters National Qualifier Stop #4 on 2027-04-16, run by Crappie Masters.
What town is closest to Wright Patman Lake?
Texarkana is 10 miles northeast of the lake center, in Bowie County.
Where can I buy bait near Wright Patman Lake?
Academy Sports + Outdoors Texarkana in Texarkana is about 10 miles from Wright Patman Lake, one of 2 shops listed above.
Plan a day on Wright Patman Lake
Check the level, then pick a ramp from the list above.