Posted by Mid Lake Campground | Toledo Bend Lake, Texas
Toledo Bend Reservoir sits on the Texas-Louisiana border and spans over 185,000 acres, making it one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States — and one of the most productive fisheries in the entire South. Whether you’re a weekend warrior chasing largemouth bass or a die-hard catfish angler looking for your next trophy, Toledo Bend delivers year-round.
At Mid Lake Campground, we’re right here on the water near Hemphill, Texas. We’ve watched thousands of anglers come through our gates, and we’ve learned a thing or two about what makes this lake tick. This guide covers the species you’ll find, when to come, where to fish, and how to make the most of your trip.
What Fish Are in Toledo Bend?
Toledo Bend is best known for largemouth bass, but that’s just the beginning. Here’s a breakdown of what you’re likely to catch:
Largemouth Bass
Toledo Bend is consistently ranked among the top bass lakes in the country. The reservoir’s massive timber fields, submerged structure, and grass flats create ideal habitat. Bass in the 5–8 lb range are common, and double-digit fish are caught every season.
Crappie
Toledo Bend has a thriving crappie population that often goes overlooked. Spring draws crappie anglers from across Texas and Louisiana as fish stack up in shallow timber to spawn. Brush piles in 8–15 feet of water are reliable producers nearly year-round. By the way, our boathouse at Midlake Campground is excellent right underneath it.
Catfish
Blue catfish and channel catfish are abundant. The deeper river channels and creek mouths hold catfish in big numbers. Night fishing from the bank or a slow drift along points produces consistently.
White Bass and Striped Bass
Schooling white bass put on a show in fall and early winter, chasing shad across open water. Stripers are less common but present — trolling deep-diving crankbaits along main lake points is your best bet.
Bluegill and Redear Sunfish
Excellent panfishing in the shallows and around dock pilings. Perfect for kids and a great backup option on slow bass days.
Toledo Bend Fishing by Season
Spring (March – May)
Spring is peak season on Toledo Bend, and for good reason. Water temperatures climb from the low 60s into the low 70s, triggering the largemouth bass spawn. Fish move shallow — into coves, along grass edges, and up into the timber. Sight fishing for spawning bass in 2–6 feet of water is a Toledo Bend tradition.
Crappie also spawn in spring, stacking in shallow willows and submerged timber in depths of 4–10 feet. A simple jig or live minnow under a float is all you need.
Best baits for spring: Soft plastic creature baits, swimbaits, Texas-rigged worms for bass. Crappie: 1/16 oz. jigs in chartreuse or pink, small spinners.
Summer (June – August)
Summer can be tough during the heat of the day, but dawn and dusk fishing is exceptional. Bass retreat to deeper structure — submerged points, channel ledges, and standing timber in 15–25 feet of water. A drop shot or Carolina rig worked slowly along these areas pays off.
Early morning topwater action can be explosive. Work a buzzbait or hollow-body frog along grass lines and timber edges before the sun gets high.
Night fishing is a summer staple on Toledo Bend. Bass feed aggressively after dark, and catfishermen have the lake largely to themselves. Keep an eye on water temperature — when surface temps push above 90°F, fish deep or fish at night.
Best baits for summer: Deep-diving crankbaits, drop shot, Carolina rig, topwater frogs (dawn/dusk), live bait for catfish.
Fall (September – November)
Many locals consider fall the best-kept secret season on Toledo Bend. Cooling water temps trigger a feeding frenzy as bass and white bass chase shad into the shallows. Topwater fishing can be phenomenal — walking baits, poppers, and spooks worked over points and channel swings produce heart-stopping strikes.
White bass and striper fishing peaks in October and November as schools push shad to the surface. Watch for birds — diving birds mark schooling activity.
Crowds thin out considerably after Labor Day, which means better access to prime spots and a more relaxed experience all around.
Best baits for fall: Walking baits, lipless crankbaits, swimbaits, spinnerbaits for bass. Small silver spoons or jigging spoons for white bass and stripers.
Winter (December – February)
Winter fishing on Toledo Bend is an underrated experience. Largemouth bass congregate in predictable deep-water areas — main lake points, bluff walls, and river channel bends. A slow presentation is key: a jig crawled along the bottom, a drop shot, or a suspending jerkbait worked with long pauses.
Water clarity often improves in winter, and the lake is at its quietest. If you can handle cool mornings, some of the year’s biggest bass are caught between December and February.
Best baits for winter: Football jigs, drop shot, suspending jerkbaits, blade baits.
Best Areas to Fish Near Mid Lake Campground
Our location on Toledo Bend near Hemphill puts you within easy reach of some excellent structure. Here are a few general areas worth exploring:
- Creek mouths and coves along the Texas shoreline — Submerged timber in these areas holds bass throughout the year and crappie in spring.
- Main lake points — Long tapering points that drop into the old river channel are classic bass structure, especially in summer and winter.
- Shallow flats with standing timber — Toledo Bend is famous for its flooded timber. Work these areas slowly in spring for spawning bass.
- Dam area and deeper tailwaters — Striper and white bass territory, especially in fall and winter.
What You Need to Fish Toledo Bend
Texas Fishing License
Toledo Bend is a boundary water between Texas and Louisiana, so either a Texas or Louisiana fishing license is valid on the entire reservoir. You don’t need both, and you can fish all the way across without worrying about which side of the state line you’re on.
A few practical notes:
The license just needs to be valid in one of the two states. However, you still have to follow the fishing regulations of the state whose license you’re using — bag limits, size limits, and gear rules can differ between Texas and Louisiana, so it’s worth knowing which set of rules applies to you on a given trip.
Texas
Website: tpwd.texas.gov
Phone: 1-800-792-1112
Louisiana
Website: wlf.louisiana.gov
Phone: 1-888-765-2602
Boat Ramp Access
Mid Lake Campground has a private boat ramp for guests. There are also public ramps in the area including Sabinetown Recreation Area and Pendleton Park— ask us for current conditions and recommendations.
What to Pack for a Toledo Bend Fishing Trip
Tackle essentials:
- Soft plastics (worms, creatures, swimbaits) in green pumpkin, black/blue, and watermelon
- Spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits for covering water
- A good selection of jig heads and crappie jigs
- Topwater lures for dawn and dusk
- A quality rod with 15–20 lb fluorocarbon for bass, lighter spinning setup for crappie
Gear and comfort:
- Quality polarized sunglasses — essential for sight fishing and spotting structure
- Sunscreen and a hat — the Texas sun is serious
- A good cooler with ice (our fish cleaning station makes it easy to clean for your catch)
- Bug spray for dawn and dusk
- Rain gear — weather on Toledo Bend can change quickly
Plan Your Toledo Bend Trip from Mid Lake Campground
Mid Lake Campground puts you right on the water with waterfront cabin accommodations, full-hookup RV sites, a private boat ramp, and a fish cleaning station. Whether you’re coming for a weekend or a full week, we’re set up to make your fishing trip as smooth as possible.
Ready to book? Check availability at https://www.midlakecampgroundtx.com or give us a call 409.625.4611 to help plan your trip. We have waterfront cabins and vacation homes sleeping from 2-10 people.
Toledo Bend is a special place. Come see for yourself.
Mid Lake Campground is located near Hemphill, Texas on Toledo Bend Lake. Follow us on Facebook for more updates.
