Hey, I’m 24 from Ontario Canada and I’m going to drive down with two buddies to fish big largemouth in Texas in early June. I want to aim for the biggest largies we can get so was planning on fishing lake fork most of the time. I would also potentially go to Galveston for a day or to to fish Tarpon.(and might spend a day or two in Dallas or other towns to experience Texas). Looking to see if any of you guys are local or have any tips or suggestions on places or lakes to visit, things to do, or just to show the ropes down there and hang out. Thanks in advance

Lake Fork is a good choice. Lake Texoma and Lake Whitney are a good choice for Hybrid Stripers. There are actually 3 families in my neighborhood that are from Alberta and one of them is constantly on Eagle Mountain Lake. FYI, most lakes here in North Texas have alligators in them, but they leave you alone unless they are nesting.

Consider OH Ivey too.

Several of the east Texas lakes have big Bass. Lake Fork is known for them. Lake Fork gets a ton of pressure for being the "it" lake. Sam Rayburn, Ray Roberts and Toledo Bend are a few of other really good large lakes to fish. Are you going to be pulling a boat down with you? There is some other smaller and not so smaller "not so famous" lakes that have good numbers of large Bass in them too. Lake Naconiche, Bois D'ark, Wright Patman, Lake O the Pines. If you really want wild, you need to make a visit to Lake Caddo. OH Ivie may very well produce the next Texas record bass.

Good luck,

Fishingmickey

I agree with the following recommendations for lakes.

Make sure you check out a buc ee’s, Mabye see the Alamo too!

On 4/11/2026 at 6:29 AM, Backroad Angler said:

I agree with the following recommendations for lakes.

Make sure you check out a buc ee’s, Mabye see the Alamo too!

especially the basement. Thats where they keep all the cool exhibits at.

Having fished all these lakes. Here's what I would suggest.

If you're hunting a true LM giant, you probably want to be at Bois D'arc. It's only been open a couple years and they've pulled several DDs out of it. Also many 100+ fish days. JB Thomas or OH Ivie are where the biggest bass in the state live, but they are pressured and you stand just as good of chance at skunking. When you see Josh Jones post a giant with super muddy red water, that's JB Thomas. If the water is normal color he is at Ivie. Bois D'arc wont let you down if you hire a guide

I've been on Fork several times and never really been that impressed. Been to Toledo. It's a huge lake. Sometimes difficult to locate bass. Sam Rayburn is a little more reliable for numbers

If you want hybrid stripers, go to Lake Lewisville. I'm serious. I have friends that consistently pull hybrids that are 5-8lb out of there and I have seen a DD hybrid at that lake.

As far as Saltwater goes...hit up Port Aransas